Ashton Jeanty

The Raiders had a 30th-ranked PFF run-blocking grade in 2025, and Jeanty had just 112 yards before contact with 88.5% of his yards coming after contact. Despite cap space, draft capital is limited after using the #1 pick on QB Mendoza.

Jeanty rushed 266 times for 975 yards and averaged 3.7 yards per carry, indicating unsustainable production even with elite elusiveness. Regression to team-wide offensive failure rather than individual breakdown.

Linderbaum signing is a genuine upgrade at center, but the Raiders OL ranked among the NFL's worst last season and one elite free agent signing doesn't fully repair the unit. Jeanty's PFF rushing grade ranked 34th of 55 qualified RBs as a rookie — efficiency improvement hinges on whether the draft adds additional OL help.

Kirk Cousins starting Week 1 limits the passing-game dimension of Jeanty's value in 2026. Jeanty's target share trended down to 7-19% in the final stretch, and Cousins is not a QB who elevates surrounding skill positions the way Mendoza eventually could.

HC Klint Kubiak has explicitly stated he wants a 'two-man show' and that 'it's important for Jeanty to have a wingman.' Mike Washington Jr. (R4P122, traded up from 134) was drafted as the designated change-of-pace back, confirming the prior analysis 'Backfield Competition Added (unlikely)' scenario has materialized — Jeanty's 81% carry share is likely to compress in 2026.

Kirk Cousins (signed as bridge QB, familiar with Kubiak from their Minnesota Vikings tenure) starts 2026 while Mendoza develops. Cousins' limitations and an offense still finding its identity could keep play-calling conservative and cap Jeanty's ceiling in the near term.

Klint Kubiak's zone-running scheme is tailor-made for Jeanty's vision and burst. The Kubiak coaching tree has historically produced elite RB fantasy seasons. Multiple analysts project a Bijan Robinson-level ceiling in this system.

A 97% snap share in Week 18 and 81% carry share trend confirm Jeanty is operating as a true bellcow with no meaningful backfield competition. Kubiak's run-heavy scheme philosophy guarantees the volume floor needed to support weekly RB1 production.

Jeanty finished PPR RB14 as a rookie behind statistically one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL with the most stuffed runs in the league. The talent floor is already established — any OL improvement unlocks a massive efficiency jump.

Signing Linderbaum to a record deal at center is the single most important offseason development for Jeanty's dynasty value. A functioning interior OL directly unlocks the efficiency gains that his rookie tape hinted at — his raw athleticism was already producing results through poor blocking.

Tyler Linderbaum (3yr/$81M, highest-paid center in NFL history) was signed specifically to unlock Jeanty's potential in Kubiak's outside zone scheme. The Raiders allowed a league-worst 64 sacks in 2025 and Jeanty produced 780 of his 975 yards after contact — cleaner blocking should dramatically improve his efficiency and volume in 2026.

Fernando Mendoza (#1 overall, Heisman winner, 72% completion rate at Indiana) is the long-term franchise QB whose development will elevate all Raiders skill players. A play-action-heavy Kubiak offense with a dynamic dual-threat QB directly expands Jeanty's ceiling over the next 2-3 years.

Young RB (22) — peak value years ahead