The excitement around Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty is palpable, and he is expected to earn a role as the workhorse back quickly.
However, the Raiders understand that running Jeanty too hard this early on is a bad idea. Running back is one of the most punishing positions in the NFL, and the typical falloff has resulted in a position-wide depreciation when it comes to contract value. Having one capable running back to lead a rushing attack is not enough in the modern NFL, with teams employing two and sometimes three that get significant snaps on a game-to-game basis.
Fortunately, the Raiders have prepared themselves prior to landing Jeanty, signing former Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert this offseason.
Mostert’s unique career path and skillset could make him a nice veteran mentor to Jeanty.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin listed players who could make some noise during offseason minicamps, and Mostert was listed as a name to watch when Raiders minicamp starts up from June 10-12.
“The Las Vegas Raiders are betting big on Ashton Jeanty at running back, spending the No. 6 overall draft pick on the Boise State product to be a do-it-all weapon for new coach Pete Carroll,” Benjamin wrote. “Still, Jeanty is a rookie, and Mostert has toted the rock at the NFL level for a decade. It’s not unreasonable to think his fundamentals could earn him more reps than expected under the sage that is Carroll. And a lighter workload compared to his peak days with the Miami Dolphins might end up unlocking some of the home run speed that’s propelled him in the past.”
The 33-year-old Mostert is mostly going to be relied on to serve as a veteran mentor to Jeanty, but his speed will allow him to see the field when the rookie needs a break.
Despite Mostert having a decade-long career in the NFL, he did not see regular snaps until 2019 with the San Francisco 49ers. Mostert also did not eclipse 200 rushing attempts until 2023 with the Dolphins, which is also his only 1,000-yard season and lone Pro Bowl appearance. That has been a factor in Mostert’s longevity, and his work with helping the likes of De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright in Miami made him a perfect target for Las Vegas.
Jeanty is certainly going to be featured heavily for the Raiders in his rookie season, but help from Mostert both on and off the field can only amplify the results.
