Ashton Jeanty’s NFL debut didn’t quite go as planned.
Right from the start, fans expressed concerns when the Raiders picked the Boise State rookie sixth overall. In the season opener against the Seahawks, he carried the ball three times, managing only a net gain of minus one yard.
Last season, Jeanty was a standout in college football, eager to make contact on the field.
He played a significant role in leading the Broncos to their first-ever college football playoff, racking up 2,601 rushing yards and scoring 29 touchdowns.
During training camp, he received some enthusiastic reviews.
For instance, NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted how Jeanty was turning heads after joining the Las Vegas facility, highlighting his elite balance, explosiveness, and natural running abilities—suggesting the pre-season hype might be warranted.
This sentiment was echoed by Raiders coach Pete Carroll, who noticed promising traits in Jeanty during a minicamp in June.
“Ashton sees some of what we wanted him to portray. He really found the ball,” Carroll remarked, adding they emphasized the attention on him, which Jeanty seemed to embrace. It’s exciting to consider what lies ahead.
At just 21, Jeanty will have ample chance to showcase his skills in upcoming preseason games, although his first outing left much to be desired.
The Raiders’ struggling offensive line didn’t create many openings for him, which played a role in his performance on Thursday night.
Fans took to social media to share their takeaways from the rookie’s debut.
One user remarked, “Ashton Jeanti officially becomes Bust Watch.”
Another mentioned, “He feasted on a bad college team. You can’t compete against the actual pros. He’s shaping up to be an NFL bust.”
Yet another user commented, “I’m not saying he’s already a bust, but this isn’t a good sign.”
