Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick and running back Ashton Jeanty is making a noticeable change ahead of his first season in the NFL.
During his days in college, where he was a superstar at Boise State, Jeanty had an unusual stance in the backfield, which was often the butt of jokes.
Jeanty would stand up completely straight before the snap, which is unusual because running backs typically hunch over a bit while in the backfield.
However, as video posted by the NFL and News 3 Las Vegas’ Jesse Merrick shows, Jeanty was seen taking the more traditional approach to his pre-snap stance during rookie minicamp.
New team. New stance. (via @JesseNews3LV) pic.twitter.com/wRVUxAMGVv
— NFL (@NFL) May 16, 2025
It remains to be seen if Jeanty will keep this new approach, but for now it looks like he’s rolling with it.
Jeanty joins a Raiders backfield that didn’t have a sure starter before his arrival. Now, Jeanty is expected to be the workhorse back in Las Vegas, with Raheem Mostert and Sincere McCormick expected to be behind him on the depth chart.
The Raiders drafted Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft after sporting the NFL’s worst rushing attack in 2024, which was partly because the Raiders’ offensive line didn’t play well.
But Las Vegas’ group upfront improved as the season went on and the hope is that the unit will take yet another step forward in 2025, which could lead to Jeanty putting together an impressive rookie season.
It’ll also help that the Raiders’ passing attack must be respected more, thanks to the presence of new quarterback Geno Smith, who adds legitimacy to Las Vegas’ offense. That should help open things up for the rookie running back.
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