The Las Vegas Raiders have some players on the roster who look to be long-term cornerstones of the franchise, and the hope is that first-round pick Ashton Jeanty will be among them. The running back was brought in to bolster the NFL’s worst run game from last season, and Jeanty is expected to come in and be the lead back immediately, even though new head coach Pete Carroll has said he plans on using a committee backfield.
While players like Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers are expected to be the present and future of the Raiders, there are also players like Maxx Crosby and Geno Smith who are the current leaders of this team. And seeing those players on a daily basis still makes Jeanty’s eyes wide as training camp is officially underway.
Levi Edwards of Raiders.com recently interviewed Jeanty, and when asked if he’s had a starstruck moment so far, the rookie running back said that seeing the likes of Crosby and Smith every day and being able to play with them is amazing:
“Overall, it’s just every day seeing different guys like Maxx Crosby, even Geno Smith, Jamal Adams being at training camp. These are all different guys I’ve watched and it’s amazing being able to play with them now.”
Crosby has long been one of the premier defensive players in the NFL, having made the Pro Bowl four times and been named an All-Pro twice, while Smith completely reinvigorated his career in Seattle. Even Jamal Adams, whom Jeanty also mentioned, was once one of the top safeties in the NFL, known for his hard hits.
Being able to team with players whom you’ve watched for years coming up is truly something that is indescribable, and Jeanty is looking forward to stepping in and helping this team take that leap into playoff contention. If the new faces and the veterans are all on the same page, this squad certainly can surprise many in 2025 and make a run.
Someone who is a fan of what the Raiders have done this offseason is former quarterback Derek Carr, who recently retired and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in all major statistical categories.
Carr recently spoke about the Raiders’ offseason, praising the addition of Pete Carroll as head coach, as well as Ashton Jeanty at running back, whom he knows Carroll will utilize in a run-first offense.
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