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The Geno Smith trade changed the entire draft equation for the Las Vegas Raiders.
For the longest time, the Raiders drafting a quarterback in the first round seemed like a foregone conclusion. With Smith now on the roster, however, plans have changed dramatically. While it is still expected the Raiders will draft a signal-caller come April, they now have the flexibility to attack other positions during the draft.
However, another option is beginning to become an equally strong consensus for the sixth overall pick.
The Raiders are starting to be linked heavily to a top prospect.
According to several recent mock drafts, a similar selection is popping up for the Raiders at six: Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
“There’s been legitimate smoke tying Ashton Jeanty to the Raiders throughout this process and I could see the old-school [Raiders head coach Pete] Carroll pulling the trigger,” said The Draft Network’s Justin Melo. “The offense finished dead last in rushing last season, averaging just 79.8 rushing yards per game. That will not appease Carroll, who believes in establishing the run. Jeanty would offer Chip Kelly’s offense a legitimate three-down workhorse in the backfield for Smith to lean on.”
Melo is far from the only draft analyst having the Raiders select the talented running back, however.
“The Raiders secured their quarterback of the near future, trading a third round pick for Geno Smith, and they add more offensive firepower with Ashton Jeanty,” wrote The 33rd Team’s James Foster. “Jeanty is a complete three-down back who’s a chore to bring down.”
When this many mock drafts contain the same result, it feels more and more as though Jeanty becoming a Raider is inevitable.
In fairness, Jeanty does line up with Carroll’s philosophy as a head coach. While the Raiders did sign Raheem Mostert in free agency, Carroll’s offenses have typically revolved around strong running games. Adding Jeanty to the equation gives Carroll his latest version of Reggie Bush and Marshawn Lynch.
According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Raiders apparently do see the fit as much as the analysts do.
“The Raiders, meanwhile, are certainly not done adding offensive weaponry to build around all-world rookie tight end Brock Bowers, and with the No. 6 pick in the draft, there is a contingent of Ashton Jeanty supporters within the organization,” wrote Schultz.
“In Marshawn Lynch, Carroll has already had tremendous success with a dominant, physically imposing running back. Perhaps Jeanty will be next.”
A running back has not been drafted in the top ten picks since the New York Giants drafted Saquon Barkley second overall in 2018. The Raiders and Jeanty could very well buck that trend.
More must-reads:
- Jerry Jones is getting exactly what he wants with Micah Parsons drama
- Report reveals if Commanders intend to trade WR Terry McLaurin
- The '2024-25 NFL TD catch leaders' quiz
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'Most likely scenario' for Terry McLaurin revealed
A recent report indicated that teams potentially interested in acquiring Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin learned that the club is "not trading" him before the 2025 season begins. The 29-year-old, who is in the final year of his current contract, may have responded to this news by requesting a trade on Thursday. However, ESPN's Bill Barnwell shared Friday that he doesn't "think there's a strong chance McLaurin gets traded" before September. "There's been no suggestion from the Commanders' side that they're looking to deal him, even after his request," Barnwell wrote. "Trading him now would likely result in landing 2026 draft picks, which won't help the Commanders in a season in which they're hoping to compete. And there just aren't many teams with the cap space or cash budget at this point of the offseason to give him the sort of deal he appears to want." McLaurin allegedly does not want to accept less money than DK Metcalf, who received a five-year, $150M deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. Whether or not McLaurin "deserves" such an extension is irrelevant as it pertains to his importance to Washington and the market for players at his position. McLaurin finished the 2024 campaign with team highs of 82 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards as quarterback Jayden Daniels guided Washington to the NFC Championship Game and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year Award honors. Additionally, McLaurin was second in the NFL with 13 touchdown catches. As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Washington sixth among the betting favorites at +1800 odds to win Super Bowl LX in February 2026. That shows why Barnwell and others are convinced that acquiring future draft assets for McLaurin makes little sense for the win-now Commanders. "The logical thing is for McLaurin to stay with the Commanders, for the two sides to come to terms on a new deal or some sort of raise, and for Daniels to have his best pass catcher on the field in Week 1," Barnwell concluded. "It's still the most likely scenario." On Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala and Dianna Russini of The Athletic noted that "several teams that called Washington about [McLaurin] before his trade request on Thursday were told the team will not trade him." Commanders general manager Adam Peters seems to understand he still has plenty of time to work something out with McLaurin before Washington opens the regular season against the New York Giants on Sept. 7.
Lakers Interested in $60 Million All-Star Big Man, Under One Condition
The Los Angeles Lakers were hunting for a center for most of the offseason after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. They knew they needed an upgrade from Jaxon Hayes. While the Lakers didn't get any of the top centers on the free agent market, they were able to sign Deandre Ayton after he was bought out. Another center would be a better fit, but he wasn't available in the offseason. Nikola Vucevic has been linked to the Lakers dating all the way back to the trade deadline, although Vucevic was not moved. More news: Lakers Make Massive Announcement Ahead of 2025-26 Season The Lakers would only be interested in Vucevic if he were to be bought out, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. Los Angeles will not be pursuing a trade to acquire Vucevic. After bringing in Ayton on a two-year deal, it wouldn't make sense to trade assets in order to bring in Vucevic. They want to see what Ayton can do before bailing on him already. The Lakers needed a starting center, as that was their biggest need heading into the offseason. While Ayton isn't the greatest option, he is someone who can help the team with what he brings to the table. The Bulls seem to think that Vucevic can still help them win games and contend for the playoffs in what will be a very weak Eastern Conference next season. If things don't go well by the time the trade deadline arrives, the Bulls might decide to buy him out if they aren't in the playoff picture. That would be the only scenario in which the Lakers bring him in. More news: Lakers Rumors: NBA Insider Provides Massive Update on Luka Doncic Extension The Lakers are always looking to improve the roster whenever possible. They aren't worried about hurting feelings, so they wouldn't hesitate to offer Vucevic a contract if they thought he was better than Ayton. With LeBron James entering the end of his career, the Lakers are going to try to win the title as quickly as possible while he is still on the roster. Last season with the Bulls, Vucevic averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He shot 53 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. More news: Former Lakers Castoff All-Star Linked to East Team in Free Agency For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Shares Impressive Take On Troy Fautanu Versus TJ Watt
The Pittsburgh Steelers felt very good when they were able to select offensive tackle Troy Fautanu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Fautanu quickly impressed during his rookie offseason, showing the kind of talent and maturity that led Head Coach Mike Tomlin to name him a starter before the regular season began. Unfortunately, his rookie year was derailed by a season-ending injury, and he never got the chance to showcase his ability on the field. Now in his second season with the team, there is a lot of excitement building around Fautanu’s return. At the same time, there is also pressure. With 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers expected to lead the offense, protecting the pocket becomes even more important. The Steelers are counting on Fautanu to stay healthy and play at a high level, especially as he takes on a critical role in protecting Rodgers from opposing pass rushers. On Wednesday, Tomlin was asked about Fautanu’s progress in training camp, and his response made it clear that he likes what he’s seen. Tomlin said he has been impressed with Fautanu’s growth and toughness, especially in his one-on-one matchups with star linebacker TJ Watt. Competing against Watt in practice is one of the toughest tests a young offensive lineman can face, and Fautanu has handled it well according to Tomlin. "I thought he [Troy Fautanu] represented himself well today [against TJ Watt]," Tomlin said. "As you mentioned, he really gets an opportunity to improve and improve fast because of who he gets to work against every day." The Steelers currently have one of the highest-paid defenses in the NFL, and they recently committed $41 million per year to Watt. The team has invested heavily in building a dominant pass rush, and while that has paid off on the defensive side of the ball, it has also created a valuable environment for the team’s young offensive linemen to grow. Going up against elite defenders like Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cam Heyward in practice has given the young group consistent, high-level reps. That kind of experience has helped them improve, and it’s exactly the kind of internal competition that the Steelers believe will lead to long-term success. Concerns are already starting to emerge about Broderick Jones and what he may or may not be able to contribute in the 2025 season. That uncertainty adds even more pressure to the second-year tackle, Fautanu, who will be counted on to solidify the right side of the line. Steelers' Have Full Faith In Troy Fautanu Even if Jones ends up playing well on the left, the right side will still need to be outstanding for the offense to operate efficiently. If Jones struggles again this season, Fautanu’s responsibilities will only increase, and the expectation will be for him to play nearly flawless football. Tomlin has remained confident in Fautanu’s development and has praised the way he has handled himself in practice, especially in matchups against Pittsburgh’s elite pass rushers. The Steelers do not typically move young, inexperienced players into the starting lineup as quickly as they did with Fautanu. That decision says a lot about how highly regarded he is by the Steelers’ leadership. Tomlin, General Manager Omar Khan, and Team President Art Rooney II clearly believe Fautanu has the tools and mentality to become a long-term fixture on the offensive line. While he still has to prove it during the regular season, everything he has shown so far points to a player who is capable of meeting the challenge.
Brewers Facing Decision After Unfortunate Jackson Chourio News
The Milwaukee Brewers are entering a pivotal stretch of the season, locked in a closely contested race for first place with the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. A huge reason for their prolonged success this season (64–44 entering Friday’s matchup with the Washington Nationals) has been rising superstar Jackson Chourio. The 21-year-old center fielder has appeared in 106 games this year for Milwaukee, hitting .276 with a .786 OPS, 17 home runs and 67 RBIs. Chourio suffered a right hamstring strain during a game against the Cubs on Tuesday, July 29. He sustained the injury while legging out a triple and was removed immediately. The injury led to him being placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday. During pregame on Friday, manager Pat Murphy provided an unfortunate update on Chourio, announcing that the injury is more severe than initially thought. Murphy also said that Chourio received a PRP injection and that his absence could extend to a month, but at least past the 10-day minimum. Brewers' Outfield Options in Jackson Chourio's Absence Blake Perkins got the start Friday against the Nationals and also replaced Chourio once he was removed from the game on Tuesday. Perkins has appeared in three seasons with Milwaukee but has failed to establish himself as a reliable everyday player. Over 199 games for the Brewers, the 28-year-old has a .236 batting average and .660 OPS, well below league average. Perkins has improved in 2025, batting .269 with a .768 OPS, but it will be hard for Milwaukee to trust this production is sustainable given he has only appeared in 11 games this year. Right fielder Sal Frelick also remains an option to play center field. The Brewers’ 2021 first-round draft pick debuted in 2023 but has fully emerged as a reliable top-of-the-order threat in 2025. Over 97 games, the 25-year-old has a .292 batting average, .756 OPS and eight home runs. Frelick has experience playing center field, having played there during his rookie year, and he is a capable outfielder given the fact he won a Gold Glove Award in 2024 in right field. However, Frelick recently returned from the injured list after recovering from a left hamstring injury in late July, and he is being held out of the lineup on Friday to give his hamstring extra rest. The Brewers will be forced to make a decision on who will replace Chourio over the next month of his absence.
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