The fun of watching the NFL Draft every year for fans is partially about the mystery of what will happen from team to team and round to round. But Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek seems to be telegraphing his first move in the 2025 edition loud and clear.
The Raiders have a major need at running back, and the value of taking the top back in the 2025 NFL Draft class in Ashton Jeanty is in the top 10 overall, which is why many mock projections have Spytek taking the Boise State running back. And it sounds as if the GM agrees.
Spytek recently held a press conference before the start of the week of the draft in order to answer reporters' questions about the state of the Raiders' roster. During the media session, Spytek opened up about his view of running backs in the NFL today.
"I mean we just saw Saquon Barkley just change the Eagles in one year," Spytek said. There's certain ways to build a team, and I don't know where we got to a place where we don't feel like running backs are valued. I come from the University of Michigan, and those guys were certainly really valued there. So, it's hard for me to get away from that."
Last season, the Raiders were dead last in the NFL in total rushing yards and average yards per carry—No. 32 overall—which means Jeanty's impact as a franchise back could make an instant impact on the Raiders offense. Alexander Mattison was the team's leading rusher last season but averaged a scant 3.2 yards/carry with 420 yards on 132 carries.
Jeanty put up monster numbers for Boise State last season with 374 carries for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns—all totals that led the FBS. Jeanty finished second in Heisman voting after such a stellar season.
While the Raiders have a long way to climb after finishing up a four-win season in the AFC West basement, the addition of Jeanty, to go with other offseason changes including the hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach and the acquisition of Geno Smith at quarterback, would go a long way toward fielding a more competitive team at the very least.
As for the rest of the AFC West, it's possible the Raiders won't be such an easy opponent in the next few seasons if they're able to lean on a ground game anchored by the likes of Jeanty. The Raiders' biggest issue isn't a big secret, so maybe their draft plans aren't either.