Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Ashton Jeanty has honest take about his role, and Raiders must change their ways

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 7:51 PM ET

Las Vegas Raiders fans are wishing the team would give rookie running back Ashton Jeanty more carries. So is he.

Jeanty, 21, was asked how he felt about his workload during a Wednesday news conference. The sixth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft didn't mince words.

Ashton Jeanty says he wants more carries

"I don't think you draft a guy like me to not give me carries and touches," the RB said, via Jesse Merrick of the Silver & Black Sports Network. "I'm ready for the responsibility. Like I said, it's going to start with me in the run game, and I've got to continue to get better."

#Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty says he’s ready for the responsibility of more carries

“I don’t think you draft a guy like me to not give me carries and touches” pic.twitter.com/FLU8g9NWHk
— Jesse Merrick - Silver & Black Sports Network (@JesseSBSN) September 17, 2025

Jeanty, who won the 2024 Doak Walker Award as college football's best RB, isn't used to being a non-factor in the run game. During his final season with the Boise State Broncos, he had an FBS-leading 374 carries in 14 games. In a 20-9 Week 2 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, he had just 11 carries for 43 yards. Through two games, he has 30 rushing attempts.

After Vegas' Week 2 loss, new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said, "They're just getting started with Jeanty." But can't they get him going a little faster?

Raiders' rushing attack hasn't improved despite expectations

The Raiders added Jeanty — who had the second-most rushing yards (2,601) in a season in FBS history in 2024 — to jump-start the NFL's worst ground attack. Thus far, it hasn't fared any better. Last season, Vegas averaged a league-low 79.8 rushing yards per game. Through two weeks this season, it has averaged 62 rushing yards per game, second to last in the NFL.

Jeanty, of course, must earn these carries. The 5-foot-8, 208-pounder clearly has room to improve after running for just 81 yards and one touchdown through two games. Still, the Raiders (1-1) must cut him loose at some point. Their ground game lacks punch, and giving the pint-sized RB more touches may be what it needs.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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