The Raiders have been linked repeatedly to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the draft, and whether they draft him in the first round or not, it has become apparent that the decision makers in Las Vegas are prepared to take a big swing on a running back between now and the start of the season.
According to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, the Raiders made an effort in the last few weeks to make a trade with Seattle for their star running back.
“You may remember, I talked to you about the fact, they were trying to trade for a running bag. And word kind of leaked and eventually got out. It was Kenneth Walker,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast. “There was another one as well that hasn’t leaked. So we’ll leave that off the table, but they’re being aggressive.”
As of now, the notable names on the Raiders’ roster at running back are Sincere McCormick, Zamir White and newly acquired veteran Raheem Mostert.
Mostert it 32 years old and on the downside of his career while White and McCormick are both relatively unproven. White played well to close out the 2023 season but fell off significantly in Luke Getsy’s offense. McCormick looked dynamic at times before his 2024 season was ended by an ankle injury.
It’s no secret that head coach Pete Carroll places heavy value on the running back position, so whether it happens by means of a trade or the draft, the Raiders will probably make a significant move at running back before the 2025 season is underway.
Jeanty is the player everyone is talking about, but it’s worth noting that Raiders’ GM John Spytek referenced the depth at the running back position in this year’s draft. Jeanty might be a rare talent at the running back position, but with the draft being so deep at the position, will Spytek and company be inclined to get the top RB on their board (whether that’s Jeanty or someone else) or wait for a value pick later in the draft?
For what it’s worth, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore said last month that the addition of Geno Smith raises the odds Ashton Jeanty will end up in Las Vegas.
