Ashton Jeanty: What pick was| Height| Weight| Number| Contract

Ashton Jeanty is one of the most exciting running back prospects to enter the NFL in recent years. With a standout college career at Boise State, Jeanty drew national attention, culminating in a high draft pick, a major rookie contract, and lofty expectations. This article answers the key questions: what pick was he, his height, weight, jersey number, contract details — plus what makes him special and what challenges lie ahead.

Quick Facts

What Pick Was Ashton Jeanty?

Ashton Jeanty was selected 6th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.

That pick is especially significant: it is rare for a running back to go so high, reflecting both his college dominance and how much the Raiders believe in his potential.

Height and Weight

• Height: Jeanty is listed between 5 ft 8 in and 5 ft 9 in (about 5′8½″ in some scouting reports).

• Weight: He is around 208 lbs, though some sources (e.g. scouting breakdowns) have him slightly heavier, at about 215 lbs, especially when projecting his playing shape.

His build is often described as compact and powerful — good low centre of gravity, strong contact balance, able to absorb hits and break through first contact.

Jersey Number

Ashton Jeanty wears number 2 for the Las Vegas Raiders. This is the same number he wore at Boise State.

Number 2 isn’t a traditional RB number in every era, but the NFL’s number rules allow more flexibility now, and it seems Jeanty wanted to carry over a piece of his college identity.

Contract Details

Jeanty’s rookie contract has been one of the more notable, especially for a running back draft pick. Key contract details include:

• Duration: 4 years, with a 5th-year option (usable in 2029) that the Raiders hold.

• Guaranteed Money: Fully guaranteed contract. Total value around $35,895,812.

• Signing Bonus and Structure: A large chunk comes up front via a signing bonus. Some reports specifically call out that around $22,746,044 of that total is the signing bonus.

• Average Annual Value: With nearly $9 million per year as the base (on average) over the first four years.

This contract ranks Jeanty among the highest paid running backs in terms of new rookie deals, especially given that many RBs are drafted lower or later in earlier rounds. The full guarantee is also significant, given the often short lifespan of running backs and risk of injury.

College Career & What Led to the Big Pick

To understand why Jeanty was picked so high, it’s useful to look at his accomplishments in college, and what scouts praised.

College Stats & Records

• Jeanty played 40 games over three seasons at Boise State (2022-2024).

• Over his college career, he accumulated 4,769 rushing yards on 750 carries (≈ 6.4 yards per carry) and 50 rushing touchdowns.

• Also contributed in the passing game: 80 receptions, 862 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns.

• In 2024, he led the NCAA in rushing yards with about 2,601 yards, which is the second most in a single season in FBS history, only behind Barry Sanders.

• He also broke or set numerous Boise State and NCAA records: number of 100+ yard rushing games, yards after contact, touchdowns etc.

Awards & Recognitions

• 2024 Maxwell Award winner

• Doak Walker Award (given to the nation’s top running back) in 2024 Wikipedia+1

• Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award in 2024

• Unanimous All-American in 2024; First-team All-Mountain West in 2023 & 2024; Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in both those seasons.

• He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2024.

These accolades, combined with his dominance in college (both traditional stats and advanced metrics such as yards after contact, missed tackles forced, etc.), made him a coveted prospect. Scouts saw not just production, but traits—vision, balance, physicality, work-ethic—that project well to the NFL.

Strengths That Made Jeanty a Top₆ Pick

Here are some of the traits and skills that made Jeanty stand out:

1. Contact Balance & Power: Despite not being very tall, Jeanty runs with a low center of gravity. He falls forward, absorbs contact, often forcing defenders to bring him down.

2. Vision & Patience: He has good instincts on when to hit the hole, when to wait for blocks to develop; not always one-cut explosive, but smart in choosing paths.

3. Durability & Consistency: Being able to handle a heavy rushing workload over multiple seasons in college.

4. Receiving Ability: Not just a pure runner—used in the passing game with reliable hands and decent receiving stats. This is increasingly important for modern RBs.

5. Production at High Volume: His numbers weren’t just inflated by a pass-friendly system or minimal usage—they came from being the focal point of Boise State’s offense.

Challenges & Questions

Despite all the positives, there are areas where observers and analysts have raised questions, essential for understanding what Jeanty will need to prove as he moves to the NFL.

• Speed & Explosiveness: Some scouts note that his top-end speed or “home-run” breakaway runs are less frequent than for other elite RBs. He may lack elite elite explosiveness in straight line, which could limit big plays in certain offenses.

• Pass Protection: As a running back in the NFL, pass blocking is a key skill. Jeanty has room to refine his technique in this area.

• Wear & Tear / Longevity: He carried heavy workloads in college; durability will matter. The NFL is more physical, and RBs often have short peaks.

• Transition to NFL Scheme: How well Boise State’s level of competition, scheme, and blocking will carry over. He’ll need to adjust, quite fast, to faster defenders, complex defenses, blitzes, etc.

Expectations with the Raiders

Las Vegas selected Jeanty at 6th overall with clear intent. Here are some expectations for his rookie year and beyond:

• Immediate Impact: With the Raiders investing a high pick and a fully guaranteed contract, they will expect him to contribute from Day 1—namely in run blocking, early carries, possibly in the receiving game.

• Workhorse Role: Many believe Jeanty could serve as a bell cow RB, carrying a large part of the rushing offense. His college usage suggests he has the stamina and resilience to take on a heavy load.

• Pairing With Other Offense Pieces: Success will also depend on the Raiders’ offensive line, play calling, and supporting cast. If Jeanty has strong blocking and creative schemes designed to leverage his strengths, he could shine.

• Stat Projections: Expectations might be tempered, but many analysts believe he can rack up substantial rushing yards (100+ per game in favorable matchups), and become a dual threat in carries + receptions.

The Contract’s Implications

Jeanty’s rookie deal sets up both opportunity and pressure:

• Fully Guaranteed Money: This gives him financial security, and shows the Raiders’ confidence. For Jeanty, that means less worry about being cut early and more focus on performance.

• Fifth-Year Option: As with all first-round picks, the team has an option in Year 5. If Jeanty performs well, that’ll be a major extension opportunity; if not, the team can choose to move on.

• Comparisons & Expectations: Because RBs going high are less common, and because his contract is generous, Jeanty will be compared to earlier top picks—both players who succeeded, and those who struggled. How he handles pressure, injuries, and consistency will be closely watched.

Ashton’s Profile vs. Other RBs & Historical Context

Putting Jeanty in context helps understand how significant his selection and contract are:

• Historically, running backs are less often taken in the top 10 in recent drafts, as many teams shift value toward quarterbacks, edge rushers, offensive linemen, etc. Jeanty being selected 6th overall puts him among a select group of RBs with that high pedigree.

• Some past high-drafted RBs had great college stats but didn’t translate immediately; others had long careers. The contract structure, physical style, and ability to stay healthy and adapt will matter a lot.

What to Watch Moving Forward

As Jeanty starts his NFL career, here are key areas to monitor:

1. Preseason / Training Camp Performance — How quickly does he pick up the playbook, how is his pass protection, how does he protect the football?

2. Early Game Usage — How many touches per game? Do the Raiders trust him in high leverage situations?

3. Production vs. Competition — How well does he run versus strong defensive fronts, in cold weather / road games, etc.?

4. Injury Management — Can he stay healthy through a long NFL season? Will the Raiders manage his workload?

5. Receiving & Versatility — If he can contribute well in the passing game (routes, catching, yards after catch), that will enhance his value significantly.

Summary: What Makes Ashton Jeanty Special

• A high draft pick (6th overall) for one of the most storied franchises, showing belief in him.

• Compact, powerful build (~5’8-9, ~208 lbs) combined with excellent contact balance and vision.

• A record-setting college career, with massive rushing totals, yards after contact, and workload.

• A fully guaranteed, high-value rookie contract, which is not always typical for RBs, especially given the risk at that position.

• Expectations are high, but so are the challenges — speed, durability, adapting to faster defenses, etc.

Conclusion

Ashton Jeanty enters the NFL with many of the boxes checked: production, awards, measurable traits, and a contract that shows the Raiders believe in him. Being the 6th overall pick, signed to a fully guaranteed 4-year deal worth nearly $36 million, wearing #2, at about 5′8-9″ and 208 lbs, Jeanty has the framework in place to be a foundational player.

Whether he becomes one of the all-time greats at his position will depend on how well he transitions, stays healthy, and whether the Raiders build around him. But based on his college pedigree and early signs, he’s well-poised for success.