Ashton Jeanty $35 million contract update reveals stunning fact about rookie's deal

4 hours ago 1

For months heading into the 2025 NFL draft, experts and analysts projected that the Las Vegas Raiders would use the seventh-overall pick on Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and that's exactly what new general manager John Spytek ended up doing.

The 21-year-old now takes his place atop the Raiders running back depth chart with Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick, Zamir White, Dylan Laube and Chris Collier filling in behind him.

As the seventh pick, Jeanty's rookie deal is projected to be for $35.8 million fully guaranteed with a $22.7 million signing bonus (per Spotrac).

With the state of the running back market, Jeanty's $35.8 million in guaranteed money is the second-most for any running back in the league, behind Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

Jeanty's contract also put him 10th in average annual value ($8.9 million) and sixth in total value ($35.8 million) behind Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and Rhamondre Stevenson.

Las Vegas desperately needed to address their rushing attack this offseason after watching Alexander Mattison lead the room to an abysmal 32-ranked ground attack in 2024 (79.8 yards per game).

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Things were made even worse with Jacobs, who spent five seasons with the Raiders, rushing for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry with the Green Bay Packers.

Jeanty's the type of special talent that could completely turn around Las Vegas' offense and make everyone forget what happened last year, even as a rookie.

He spent three seasons with the Broncos in college, earning All-Mountain West honors twice, All-Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year twice and All-American honors twice. He also finished as the runner-up to Colorado's Travis Hunter for the Heisman Trophy this past year.

In 40 career games, Jeanty rushed for a remarkable 4,769 yards and 50 touchdowns on 6.4 yards per game. He also caught 80 passes for an additional 862 yards and six scores.

Now, he'll be the Raiders lead back and take some pressure off recently-signed quarterback Geno Smith and newly-hired head coach Pete Carroll in their first seasons with their new team.