When a running back is drafted with a top-10 pick, the expectations are always very high. Ashton Jeanty is one of the most hyped running back prospects to come into the NFL in recent years, but he has been mostly ineffective all season.
The Las Vegas Raiders have the worst rushing offense in the NFL, and it’s mostly because of bad offensive line play and a lack of an effective passing attack. At the same time, Jeanty should still be able to make some plays every once in a while. He’s often hit in the backfield as soon as he gets the ball, but there are times he gets into the open field. He hasn’t done much when he’s been able to.
Former Raiders wide receiver James Jones thinks that Jeanty does need to make more explosive plays.
“Out of those nine attempts, it was probably five one-on-ones … you gotta make them miss at least half of those,” Jones said during the “Raiders Postgame Live.” “And if you make them miss half of those, then that’s an explosive run. I don’t know if he’s not in rhythm, not in a groove, doesn’t know the offensive line as well, but when all else fails, with you being drafted No. 6 overall … we have yet to see him break those tackles in between the tackle.”
Does Jeanty Deserve Blame for Rushing Struggles?
Jeanty is just a rookie, and he’s already on his second offensive coordinator. The Raiders have multiple starters on the offensive line hurt, and those starters weren’t even playing very well when they were healthy.
There are likely many examples of plays that Jeanty could have made that he didn’t, but he’s also in his first year playing for one of the most dysfunctional organizations in sports. Jeanty still has plenty of time to prove that he was worthy of a top-10 draft pick. There have been flashes of his game-breaking ability, but the Raiders aren’t doing anything right. He should be much better next season with more experience and hopefully a better offensive line.
Have Raiders Quit on Season?
The Raiders had their second shutout loss of the season in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The offense was atrocious yet again, and the defense couldn’t hang with the Eagles’ offense.
Toward the end of the game, it looked like the Raiders players were just trying to get it over with. However, head coach Pete Carroll thinks his players are still playing hard.
“Nah, I don’t sense that at all,” Carroll said when asked if the team didn’t show up ready to play against the Eagles. “I don’t think there was that issue. We just got beat.”
With two blowout shutout losses in one season, it’s fair to question if the Raiders players are still motivated to play hard the rest of the season. Many of these players will be free agents and are going to want to be healthy. It’s likely time for the Raiders to fully embrace younger players who are still trying to make a name for themselves.
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