Raiders Make Ashton Jeanty Highest-Drafted RB Since Saquon Barkley

Ashton Jeanty won’t have to move very far.

The Boise State running back was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the sixth overall pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft. Jeanty led Boise State to the College Football Playoff this past season, rushing for more than 2600 yards and 29 touchdowns, which made him a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. 

His football background is unique, having grown up in Naples, Italy, where he played before moving to Texas for high school. 

Jeanty’s selection comes mere months after Saquon Barkley led the Eagles to the Super Bowl while eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards, which helped restore value to the running back market. Barkley signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the Eagles before the 2024 season and was rewarded with a two-year, $41 million extension after winning a ring, which made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. 

Barkley and Jeanty are linked for another reason. Jeanty is the highest running back taken since theGiants took Barkley second overall in 2018. Jeanty will enter the league as the 11th highest-paid running back, as he’ll make roughly $8.9 million annually over the life of a four-year, $35.8 million contract, according to estimates based on the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement. 

Raiders coach Pete Carroll succeeded in Seattle with running backs such as Marshawn Lynch and Kenneth Walker III. Now he starts his tenure in Vegas with another young talent in the backfield.