Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty emerges as a focal point after preseason

Las Vegas Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty has quickly moved from a projected future contributor to a focal point of the team’s offensive horizon after an eventful pair of preseason appearances that featured resilience, physicality and breakout flashes.

The No. 6 overall pick out of Boise State, Jeanty entered training camp with high expectations after a college career that included 4,769 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns over three seasons, plus a near-Heisman finish in 2024. In the Raiders’ first preseason game, he managed three carries for minus-1 yard, underscoring the usual ramp-up for a young back in the NFL. Yet the second game offered a fuller picture of his potential, as he posted seven carries for 33 yards and added a touchdown, while also displaying the toughness and burst that drew early praise from teammates and observers.

That favorable showing came in a game against the San Francisco 49ers, a matchup that also tested Jeanty’s durability. He absorbed a heavy first-drive tackle that sent him to the medical tent with an arm issue, an early scare that prompted concern among fans and fantasy players alike. He returned to the field for the next drive and wasted no...