When Jeanty went sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders last month, he became the highest drafted running back since the New York Giants took Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in 2018.

Former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could prove to someday be a generational talent. When Jeanty went sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders last month, he became the highest drafted running back since the New York Giants took Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in 2018.

The Heisman trophy runner-up, who racked up over 2,000 yards rushing his final collegiate season, is a transcendent talent. He is a marvel to watch, due to his unique skill set.

How he moves on the football field is akin to what Lionel Messi does on the soccer pitch. Former United States Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter summarized Messi in a way that perfectly applies to Jeanty.

“Acceleration and change of direction is just different level, where you can’t get close to him,” Berhalter said to RG.org. “You saw a couple times tonight.”

Only a small handful of players from this draft class can truly match Jeanty in acceleration burst and ability to rapidly change direction. You can put the likes of Travis Hunter (Colorado, 2nd overall to Jacksonville), Abdul Carter (Penn State, 3rd overall to New York Giants), and Luther Burden (Missouri, 39th overall to Chicago) in this conversation. 

And Jeanty’s rare abilities have already had an impact on the Raiders, long before he even makes his first professional rushing attempt.

On Thursday, NFL Jersey Numbers was the first to report that Jeanty will be able to retain his #2 in Vegas. Daniel Carson, currently the fifth most accurate placekicker in NFL history has given up the #2 shirt, so that the rookie runner nicknamed “Deuce” can have it.

Carson, a two-time All-Pro, will switch to #8. It’s pretty clear just how much the silver and black believe that Jeanty will be their difference maker someday. With the worst ground attack in the league last season, averaging just under 80 yards rushing per game, it made sense for the Raiders to grab Jeanty at #6.

In today’s NFL, RBs typically don’t get taken that high, but that pick was a perfect match.