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- Aug 16, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) walks off the field after the Raiders were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers 22-19 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Ashton Jeanty 2025 Dynasty Outlook

Originally posted on Total Apex Fantasy Sports
By Buzz Killington | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 8:52 PM ET

Every year, the dynasty football world anoints a new chosen rookie running back like Ashton Jeanty, who is destined for greatness, someone who is supposed to be the next LaDainian Tomlinson. This year, that crown has been placed firmly on the head of Boise State’s own. The hype train is chugging along at full steam, packed with analysts, fantasy managers, and anyone with a rookie pick to burn. But before you mortgage your team’s future for him, let’s ask the tough question: Is Ashton Jeanty the real deal, or are we all just buying a ticket on the Titanic?

The Case For: Why Ashton Jeanty Could Be a League Winner

You can’t deny what Jeanty did on the field at Boise State. The kid is a highlight reel waiting to happen. In 2023, he was a one-man wrecking crew, piling up over 1,300 rushing yards and adding nearly 600 more through the air. That’s not just productive; that’s absurd. He’s built like a bowling ball at 5’8″, 211 lbs, and he runs like one, too. His contact balance is the stuff scouts drool over—he just bounces off would-be tacklers like they’re made of styrofoam. He’s not just a bruiser, either. He has legitimate receiving skills, making him a true three-down threat from the moment he steps on an NFL field.

The Las Vegas Raiders certainly bought into the hype, snatching him up with the 6th overall pick in the 2025 draft. Let’s be honest, their backfield was a dumpster fire last season. The Zamir White experiment fizzled out, leaving a gaping hole for a true workhorse. Enter Ashton Jeanty. With a run-heavy coach like Pete Carroll now at the helm, the opportunity is massive. They didn’t draft him that high to sit on the bench. He’s walking into a situation practically gift-wrapped for immediate RB1 production.

The Case Against: Let’s Pump the Brakes a Little

Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) hands the ball off to running back Ashton Jeanty (2) against the Cardinals during a preseason game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Aug. 23, 2025.

Okay, so the situation looks perfect on paper. But football isn’t played on paper. First off, let’s talk about Pete Carroll. Yes, he loves to run the ball, but he also has a notorious love affair with the dreaded Running Back By Committee (RBBC). Remember the “Always Compete” mantra in Seattle? Carroll has a history of bringing in multiple backs and letting them fight it out, much to the chagrin of fantasy owners everywhere. To assume Jeanty will immediately get 300 touches is optimistic, to say the least.

Then there’s the price tag. The dynasty community has already priced him to perfection. He’s being discussed as the consensus 1.01 in rookie drafts, and his Average Draft Position (ADP) puts him in the same stratosphere as established superstars like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. People are trading away proven assets and multiple future first-round picks to get him.

That’s an insane amount of pressure and a sky-high price for a player who has yet to take a meaningful NFL snap. One wrong step, one nagging injury, and that monumental investment could crumble. We saw a flash of that with a minor arm injury scare in the preseason. It was nothing, but it’s a reminder of how quickly things can change.

The Verdict: So, Should You Buy or Sell?

So, what’s the final word on Ashton Jeanty? He’s a phenomenal talent with an incredible college production profile who landed in what looks like a dream situation. The upside is undeniable; he has the potential to be a top-five fantasy running back for years to come. Derek Brown of FantasyPros even suggested his rookie year could rival Saquon Barkley’s, which is about as high as praise gets.

However, the risk is just as real. The hype has reached a fever pitch, driving his cost into the stratosphere. You’re not buying low; you’re paying an extreme premium for potential. The Pete Carroll factor looms large, and the history of the NFL is littered with can’t-miss prospects who, for one reason or another, missed.

Investing in Ashton Jeanty right now is a high-stakes gamble. If he hits, you could be set for the next half-decade. If he busts, it could set your franchise back for years. Are you feeling lucky? Because with Jeanty, it feels less like a safe investment and more like putting all your chips on one spin of the roulette wheel.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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