Grabbing a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft is one of the most important things the Las Vegas Raiders have on their docket. They must draft one, as the Raiders had the worst run game in the league last year -- historically bad.
But that doesn't mean they have to waste their best draft capital this year to get one. This is one of the deepest running back classes we have ever seen, and there are so many needs on this team, on both sides of the ball. Grabbing a running back, one that is very short and didn't play the best competition in college, may not be the smartest thing to do.
Right now, with everything we are hearing, and any other news that is coming out as we get closer and closer to the draft, it feels like Jeanty to the Raiders at No. 6 is destined to happen. But, I wouldn't lock it in yet. First, we have no idea what will happen with the five picks before the draft. Secondly, drafting Jeanty at No. 6 overall would completely go against the grain of what Pete Carroll and John Spytek have done in their careers as decision makers and guys who have a bit of say in who their respective teams draft.
Raiders drafting Ashton Jeanty would be out of the norm
Before coaching the Raiders, Pete Carroll was the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks from 2010-2023. That's 13 years of drafting experience to use when trying to see which way he could lean in this upcoming draft, but specifically in the first round. As for Spyutek, he has never had the final say in who the team drafts, but he was the assistant general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2021-2024.
During that time, he gave his input to their general manager Jason Licht, and Licht took his word and who knows, maybe even listened to him on some picks. And for those saying Spytek's history as an assistant GM doesn't matter because he wasn't the one making the final pick, you couldn't be more wrong. No, he wasn't making the final pick, but I'm sure everything he knows about being a GM, and most of what he has learned the last few years in terms of building a team through the draft, is coming from what Licht taught him.
So yes, it does matter, because he will likely put everything he learned to use.
Pete Carroll’s first-ever pick for Seattle was an offensive tackle in 2010, who turned out to be Russell Okung. And, ironically that pick was the No. 6 overall pick in that draft, as is this one this year, in his first year with the Raiders.
The combined history of decision making by Carroll and Spytek shows that they have only ever taken a running back in round one, once. And it was Rashad Penny. Tampa Bay never took an RB in Round 1 with Spytek as assistant GM.
Over the years, Carroll’s first-round selections have been pretty diverse, but mainly come by way of players in the trenches.
He has drafted a defensive back twice in Earl Thomas and Devon Witherspoon, an offensive lineman four times, a running back once, a wide receiver once, a defensive lineman three times, and a linebacker once.
With Spytek as the assistant GM, the Buccaneers drafted one offensive lineman and two defensive linemen.
So, it's kind of going against the grain -- drafting Jeanty or any running back in the first round is. If history is to repeat itself, the Raiders may draft through the trenches. But, there is one problem there as well. On the defensive side of the ball, they have a great defensive line already in store. Sure, they could draft another edge rusher with Koonce back on a one-year deal and Tyree Wilson entering his third season.
Or, they could go offensive line, as seeing how they allowed the seventh most sacks in the league last year, paired with the worst run game in the league.
Now every board is different and every draft is different. None of this could mean anything, or all of this could mean something. Do with it what you will, but it's not a lock that they draft Jeanty, and it certainly doesn't provide any clarity when you start looking at the draft history of these two.
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