Raiders trying to solve surprising Ashton Jeanty problem

When the Las Vegas Raiders drafted Ashton Jeanty sixth overall back in April, they were hoping that their rushing woes were finally at an end.

Instead, Jeanty has been slow coming out of the gates. After only recording 38 yards in Week One against the New England Patriots, Jeanty similarly struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday with 43 yards. Among running backs with at least 30 carries, Jeanty has the fewest rushing yards with 81, while his 2.7 yards per carry are the second-fewest (only Chase Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals has been less efficient).

The unexpected struggles have lead to fans beginning to run out of patience as the Raiders try and find some answers.

Jeanty is not the only problem that the Raiders have with establishing a running game.

Following the Raiders’ 20-9 loss to the Chargers, head coach Pete Carroll has continued to preach patience with the running back.

“We’re just getting started (with Jeanty),” Carroll said, via the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “He’s breaking into the NFL. He’s figuring it out. He’ll get more carries. We have to run the ball more effectively. We only got (68 yards), and that’s not enough. We need more than that. We’re bringing (Jeanty) along. More will come.”

Jeanty is far from the only problem with the Raiders’ running game, but he has not exactly helped his case so far two games in.

Offensive line issues mean Jeanty is struggling to find any gaps to run through, but other concerns are showing. On one such play, Jeanty whiffed on a blocking assignment that lead to the Chargers taking quarterback Geno Smith down. Eventually, the Raiders appeared to abandon the running game altogether and rely on Smith to get them back in the game, but that only lead to the Chargers clamping down more.

“Last week it was on me, I didn’t go a good job of reading the plays. I’ll put it on myself again this week,” Jeanty said. “Could’ve broke for bigger on some runs and O-line did their thing. I’ve just got to continue to get better so I can be a game-changer for us.

“Just getting used to the speed, honestly. Last week kind of felt like I was moving a little slower, this week felt better. Still not there yet, but once it happens, it will be good.”

It makes sense for rookies to need some time to adjust, but Jeanty’s high draft status means that he will not receive as much benefit of the doubt if the struggles continue.