Ashton Jeanty is expected to boost the Las Vegas Raiders’ ground game and help position them as a competitive team.
Ashton Jeanty alongside Tom Brady, minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.AP
Tom Brady‘s Las Vegas Raiders have had an outstanding offseason, adding talent through free agency and the NFL Draft. It’s no secret that the offense is poised for a significant leap in quality from one year to the next with the new pieces brought to the team.
In this regard, Ashton Jeanty is one of the players arriving to transform a unit that was the worst in the entire league last season.
Ashton Jeanty Set to Make a Monumental Impact
With their first-round draft pick, the Raiders selected former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to bolster their ground game-a move that promises to be a turning point for the team now led by head coach Pete Carroll.
Under this scenario, the Raiders are likely to lean heavily on the run game as they adapt to a new offensive system with several new faces. Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus believes Jeanty has a legitimate shot at winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
“Raiders first-round pick Ashton Jeanty is currently the betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. That makes sense, considering he is clearly the lead back on a team with a solid offensive line and Chip Kelly calling the plays. If Jeanty lives up to his well-deserved hype after posting a perfect 99.9 PFF rushing grade and forcing 325 missed tackles at Boise State, he has a clear path to winning the award,” Wasserman said.
With Tom Brady influencing the team’s decision-making, the Las Vegas offense has undergone significant changes with the acquisition of running back Ashton Jeanty, giving fans plenty of reasons to be excited for the upcoming season.
A Heisman Trophy finalist, Jeanty represents a vital piece in building a more competitive offense that still has room to grow.
Last season, the Raiders’ offense struggled to control time of possession, leaving their defense on the field for extended periods. Injuries also played a significant role in the unit’s struggles.
