A new report claims that the Las Vegas Raiders will pass on using their top pick in the NFL Draft on a rookie quarterback and instead target a player that could fill the void left by former star Josh Jacobs.
This will be an important next few months for the Raiders. After an awful 4-13 finish to the 2024 season, the organization completely cleaned house and is starting fresh with a new head coach and general manager in Pete Carroll and John Spytek. Fortunately for the new regime, they will have a top 10 pick in the NFL Draft and a boatload of cash to use in free agency.
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While they have the resources to make some big additions to the roster this offseason, they must prioritize fixing their problem at QB. Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of speculation about how the organization will address the issue. Will they use their pick at sixth overall to get the best signal caller available or target a veteran QB on the open market?
Well, a new poll of executives around the league points to the silver-and-black not using their top pick in April on one of this year’s top RB prospects.
Will the Las Vegas Raiders use their top NFL Draft pick on Ashton Jeanty?
“Pete is dead set on running the ball,” an exec told The Athletic this week. “He had Marshawn (Lynch) in Seattle. He is going to want the back here.”
The outlet spoke with several NFL executives and the consensus was that Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty would be the player the Las Vegas Raiders use the sixth overall pick on. It is a very high spot for a running back in 2025. However, the Boise State star made a huge jump in The Athletic’s updated big board following last week’s NFL Combine.
Furthermore, execs around the believe both Carroll and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly believe they can take a veteran QB to new heights under their guidance next season. “I could see Chip Kelly taking a Zach Wilson or somebody like that and reinventing him in his system,” another exec told the outlet.
While QB was a big problem for Las Vegas last season, Josh Jacobs’ absence played a huge role in their terrible showing on offense in 2024. Jeanty is a gifted back with the talent to fill that void and give the unit the spark it lacked last season.