Ashton Jeanty will not be capable of do what he does finest for fairly a while — make tacklers want they by no means even considered placing a hand on him.
So not a lot might be learn into Jeanty breaking free into the open area on the Raiders’ rookie camp on Friday, however Las Vegas hopes it is not less than a preview of what is to come back.
The Raiders positioned lots of religion in Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up out of Boise State, by drafting him sixth final month. He was the highest-drafted operating again because the New York Giants took Saquon Barkley second in 2018.
Jeanty additionally obtained a four-year, $35.9 million contract that features a $22.7 million signing bonus, his agent, Henry Organ, stated. His $8.97 million annual wage is the Eleventh-highest amongst operating backs, in keeping with Over the Cap.
He known as it a “lifelong dream” to even be in an NFL rookie observe.
“To lastly be out right here, get to work with the workforce — it’s simply thrilling,” Jeanty stated.
Jeanty suits the profile of a Pete Carroll-coached workforce. Carroll relied on the same kind of again in Seattle, and Marshawn Lynch was instrumental within the Seahawks making back-to-back Tremendous Bowls and profitable one. His rugged operating model and 5-foot-11, 215-pound body made tackling him an typically painful expertise for defenders.
At 5-foot-8, 211, Jeanty used the same bruising model in main the nation with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. Extra telling, he rushed for 1,970 yards after contact, which by itself would have led the FBS.
That is why the Raiders determined to make use of such a excessive decide on a operating again, although it goes in opposition to the final present considering. They might have addressed a special place at No. 6 and nonetheless taken a high quality operating again later in what was a deep draft on the place, however discovered a possible generational kind of participant too tough to move up.
Particularly for a workforce that had the worst floor sport within the NFL final season, averaging 79.8 yards per sport.
“It’s a kind of offers the place it meets the necessity and the very best participant meet collectively,” common supervisor John Spytek stated the evening the Raiders drafted Jeanty. “You type of really feel like that’s an ideal storm at that time too, and it’s simply an excessive amount of to disregard at that time. He’s the proper participant for us this yr, and we had been thrilled to make him a Raider.”
And now Jeanty is getting his first style of the NFL with different gamers who’re additionally starting to be taught what it takes at this stage.
Certainly one of his new teammates, offensive lineman Caleb Rogers, performed in opposition to Jeanty in Texas highschool scrimmages and runs in a lot the identical social circle.
“I had gamers who performed with him,” stated Rogers, a third-round draft pick of Texas Tech. “So simply listening to rather a lot about him, I’m excited to proceed to be round him, see how he works, see how he’s a professional. I’ve heard rather a lot about how he approaches the sport and the way he does an important job, and so I’m excited simply be part of that.”
Rogers, although, stated he does not keep in mind these early interactions with Jeanty.
“I don’t as a result of he occurred to have (Denver huge receiver) Marvin Mims on his workforce,” Rogers stated. “He has the report for highschool soccer receiving yards, so he was type of doing his factor again then.”
Jeanty hopes to offer Rogers and the remainder of his new teammates performances they will not be capable of overlook.
They’re excited to have him. Star defensive finish Maxx Crosby live-streamed his podcast on the primary evening of the draft with middle Jackson Powers-Johnson. Each had been ecstatic when the Raiders chosen Jeanty, with Crosby pumping his proper fist and Powers-Johnson elevating each arms and yelling.
There’s additionally video of Powers-Johnson assembly Jeanty, embracing him and saying, “I am your middle.”
Expectations are definitely excessive inside and out of doors the Raiders facility. Now it is a matter of whether or not Jeanty meets them. He has an extended technique to go, however Friday was a begin.
“Getting out simply seeing every thing, the way it all works,” Jeanty stated.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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