Ashton Jeanty — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

It's no secret new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll wants to run the ball. Jeanty will likely pound the rock 20-25 times a game without hesitation, running through contact and exploding for big gains in the open field.

I've received plenty of angry messages for what I wrote about Ashton Jeanty in my last mock, and I apologize to everybody for not assuming he'll be the greatest player we've ever seen. The Cowboys take him hoping the man who has received some comps to Emmitt Smith be their next Emmitt Smith.

The Raiders had one of the worst rushing attacks in recent memory last season, needing a clear boost of talent at running back. Jeanty would be an immediate upgrade with the ability to be a long-term solution at the position as well. With Geno Smith in the fold at quarterback for the next few seasons, a running back becomes a more defensible pick this high, and Jeanty's talent shouldn't be questioned.

Do the Bears need a running back? Probably not. Coach Ben Johnson has been very complimentary of veteran D'Andre Swift. But the Bears are in no position to pass on a blue chip player in their current state, regardless of their other roster needs and the value of other positions. Give me Jeanty over the third-best offensive lineman (who might be best at guard) and the pass rushers who require some projection because of their lackluster production in college or are undersized. In Jeanty, the Bears add an elite difference-making weapon for Johnson's offense. The Lions did the same when running back Jahmyr Gibbs was drafted at No. 12 two years ago. Johnson will remember that. His offense in Detroit changed because of it. Jeanty could have the same impact with the Bears. So, give me the potential star in Jeanty. — Adam Jahns

The Raiders can take some pressure off of Geno Smith by adding Jeanty, who is one of the top three players in the draft.

Now that the Raiders have Geno Smith at quarterback, addressing a rushing attack that averaged an NFL-worst 3.6 yards per carry would seem to be the next logical step. Sure, this year's running back class is deep enough to find a quality starting candidate later, but Jeanty is special — and nothing about the Raiders' moves this offseason suggests they're in the mood for patience.

With Jeanty in the mix, the Raiders are much more dangerous on paper now than they were a year ago.

The Cowboys got nothing from their run game a year ago. They need to put someone in the backfield to help Dak Prescott out. Now, some people have Jeanty going a lot higher than this. The only reason I don't have him going in the top 10 is due to the depth at the running back position in this draft class. There isn't an urgency to take the No. 1 running back when you can get that help in the second round. Jeanty is excellent, displaying great vision and balance. He can catch as well, but he got a ton of carries last season because Boise State wanted to help boost his numbers in the chase for the record and to get him to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Rest assured; he's got good hands.

Coach Pete Carroll wasn't waiting until the draft to find his quarterback for 2025. After Las Vegas had the No. 13 pick last year and missed on all six of the first-round QBs, the team went out and traded for Geno Smith before free agency kicked off. Carroll obviously has history with Smith from their time together in Seattle and knows how to maximize him. But Carroll's teams also have leaned heavily on the run in the past, so I'm giving the Raiders the best player still on my board in Jeanty (No. 4).

Elusiveness. Speed. Physicality. Vision with the ball in his hands. Jeanty really has it all, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. Plus, he has some pass-catching upside, with 66 catches over the past two campaigns. The Raiders were last in rushing last season, averaging 3.6 yards per carry and 79.8 per game. Jeanty would change everything there and create a solid offensive nucleus with Smith, Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers.

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, Pete Carroll isn't going to stop prioritizing the running back position just because he took a year away from the NFL. Ashton Jeanty, the best running back prospect since at least Bijan Robinson, immediately gives the Raiders a formidable rushing attack.

An offensive line overhaul only goes so far if you don't have the pieces around it to make the most of it. Caleb Williams has some talent to throw to, but the displacement ability that Chicago suddenly finds with Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson on the interior can be maximized with a dangerous runner.

Jeanty landing in Chicago moves Ben Johnson a lot closer to having the diverse menu of options he needs to call his offense like he did in Detroit.