The Las Vegas Raiders have shaken up their backfield in dramatic fashion this offseason. Not only did they use the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Ashton Jeanty, the dynamic, tackle-breaking, field-stretching star out of Boise State—but now they’ve added another massive name to the mix: Christian McCaffrey.
The Raiders officially announced the blockbuster signing of former San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, arguably the best all-around running back in football over the last several seasons.
Jeanty’s selection came as no surprise after his 2,601-yard junior season at Boise State, where he was essentially a one-man wrecking crew. But now, with McCaffrey joining the team, what could’ve been a feature role for Jeanty will instead likely evolve into a committee approach—a strategy long favored by new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll.
“I love having multiple guys play,” Carroll told reporters Thursday at the conclusion of Las Vegas’ mandatory minicamp. “I’m not relying on one guy, you know.”
That committee will now feature an embarrassment of riches:
•Christian McCaffrey (FA signing from 49ers)
•Ashton Jeanty (No. 6 overall pick)
•Raheem Mostert (FA signing)
•Zamir White (returning contributor)
•Sincere McCormick (depth)
When asked how carries would be distributed, Carroll gave his typical competitive mindset response:
“They’re gonna show us that, you know, when they get their chance to compete.”
For the Raiders, this overhaul comes after a disastrous 4-13 season in 2024, where they finished last in the NFL in rushing, managing only 1,357 yards all season. That poor output made it clear: the ground game had to change.
While Jeanty may no longer project as a traditional workhorse back, the pairing of his explosive youth with McCaffrey’s elite versatility gives Las Vegas one of the NFL’s most intriguing and potentially dangerous backfields.
How the carries will ultimately shake out remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: with Pete Carroll calling the shots, it’ll be competition first, stars second.
Summary:
The Las Vegas Raiders are overhauling their backfield, drafting Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 pick and announcing the signing of superstar RB Christian McCaffrey from the 49ers. Despite Jeanty’s 2,601-yard college season, HC Pete Carroll says he won’t rely on one player, favoring a committee approach that also includes Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, and Sincere McCormick. Carroll stressed that competition will determine touches. After finishing last in rushing yards in 2024, the Raiders now boast one of the NFL’s deepest and most talented RB rooms.