Las Vegas Raiders Land Generational Talent in Ashton Jeanty, Pair Him with Rising Star Brock Bowers in Revamped Offense Under Pete Carroll
HENDERSON, NV — May 24, 2025
The Las Vegas Raiders may have struck gold two years in a row. Following their 2024 draft-day coup when Georgia tight end Brock Bowers surprisingly fell to them at No. 13 overall, resulting in a First-Team All-Pro rookie season, the Silver and Black appear to have repeated history in 2025. This time, it was Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, a generational prospect, who fell into their lap with the No. 6 overall pick—and expectations are sky-high.
Under the guidance of newly hired head coach Pete Carroll, the Raiders have made it clear they are building a new offensive identity—one that blends toughness, explosive playmaking, and versatility. With Bowers anchoring the tight end position and Jeanty now the feature back, Las Vegas may have assembled one of the league’s most dynamic young tandems.
Brock Bowers on Jeanty: “He’s going to be special”
During the team’s open OTA (Organized Team Activities) session on Wednesday—the first to allow media access—Bowers didn’t hold back his excitement about sharing the field with Jeanty.
“He’s explosive, man. He’s got that second gear that not many guys have,” Bowers said. “I’ve already seen it in practice—he can take over games. He’s going to be special.”
Coming from Bowers, who racked up 1,015 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in his rookie campaign, that praise carries weight. The chemistry between the two is already forming as they adjust to Carroll’s new system, which emphasizes tempo, ball control, and play-action-based vertical passing.
Ashton Jeanty: The Answer to the Raiders’ Ground Game Woes
In 2024, the Raiders’ rushing attack ranked dead last in the NFL, averaging just 84.2 yards per game. Former Pro Bowler Josh Jacobs had departed in free agency, and the team failed to establish any rhythm on the ground.
Enter Jeanty, who many scouts compared to a hybrid of Alvin Kamara and Edgerrin James during the pre-draft process. At Boise State, he rushed for 1,398 yards and 16 touchdowns in his junior season, showing elite vision, burst, and receiving ability out of the backfield. His performance at the NFL Combine only solidified his draft stock, with a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash and top-tier agility metrics.
Despite being projected as a top-five pick, Jeanty surprisingly fell to the Raiders at No. 6—an outcome many analysts are calling the “steal of the draft.”
Pete Carroll’s Vision Comes to Life
Head coach Pete Carroll, returning to the NFL after his long tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, is implementing a balanced, physical brand of football reminiscent of his early Seahawks teams. In Jeanty and Bowers, Carroll sees the foundation of a modernized offensive attack.
“We’re building something powerful here,” Carroll said after Wednesday’s OTA practice. “Ashton is a game-changer. Pair him with Brock, and that’s a nightmare for defenses. We’re going to run the ball with purpose, and we’re going to hit explosive plays off it.”
Carroll’s leadership has also re-energized the locker room, with veterans praising the renewed sense of discipline and vision.
Offensive Outlook: A Youth Movement with Star Potential
With a backfield now featuring Jeanty and a pass-catching core led by Bowers, wideout Davante Adams, and emerging slot receiver Tre Tucker, the Raiders have quietly assembled a versatile and dangerous offense. If second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell or veteran Geno Smith—acquired in an offseason trade—can manage the offense efficiently, Las Vegas may no longer be viewed as a rebuilding team but as a legitimate contender in the AFC West.
Bowers sees the youth movement as an advantage:
“We’re hungry. We’ve got guys who want to prove something, and we’ve got a coaching staff that believes in us. That’s a dangerous combination.”
Looking Ahead
The Raiders are set to continue OTAs over the next few weeks before transitioning into mandatory minicamp. All eyes will be on how Jeanty continues to adapt to the pro level and how Carroll crafts an offense that maximizes the unique talents of two of the most electrifying young playmakers in the league.
If early signs are any indication, the Raiders’ offense could be one of the most exciting units to watch in 2025—and their future, once uncertain, now looks brighter than ever.
