The Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty is already turning heads with his preseason performances, sparking comparisons to legendary running backs like Barry Sanders. Jeanty showcased his explosiveness with a 13-yard bulldozing run against the 49ers, proving why he was a top-10 pick.
Despite an injury scare after a hard hit, Jeanty battled back to score a touchdown, demonstrating his resilience. However, Hall of Famer Marcus Allen is urging caution, tempering the Barry Sanders hype with a measured perspective on the young star’s potential.
- Ashton Jeanty shows flashes of brilliance with a bulldozing 13-yard run against the 49ers, displaying the elite contact balance and power that made him a top draft pick.
- Jeanty overcomes an injury scare after a hard hit, returning to the game and scoring a touchdown—proving his resilience and potential as a workhorse back.
- Raiders legend Marcus Allen urges caution in comparing Jeanty to Barry Sanders, emphasizing that rookie hype must be tempered despite Jeanty’s impressive preseason flashes.
Community Reactions
- 匿名キュウリ (2025-08-17)
Y’all realize Barry averaged 1,500 yards/season, right? Jeanty could be great, but this hype train’s derailing before it leaves the station 🚂💨
- 匿名レタス (2025-08-17)
Injury scare had me sweating 😓 But bouncing back with a TD? That’s the mentality Raiders need. Still, Vegas’ O-line worries me more than Jeanty’s talent.
- 匿名マッシュルーム (2025-08-17)
Facts. That O-line is a bigger question mark than Jeanty’s health.
- 匿名マッシュルーム (2025-08-17)
- 匿名タマネギ (2025-08-17)
Marcus Allen’s right—Jeanty’s his own player. Why do we always gotta force these comparisons? Let the kid cook without absurd expectations.
Is Ashton Jeanty Really the Next Barry Sanders? Breaking Down the Hype
The comparisons between Ashton Jeanty and Barry Sanders have been unavoidable, especially after Jeanty’s record-breaking college performance where he rushed for 2,601 yards – just shy of Sanders’ FBS record. The Raiders rookie possesses rare elusiveness and breakaway speed that draws natural parallels to the Hall of Famer.
However, Marcus Allen recently cautioned against these comparisons, noting Sanders’ unparalleled lateral quickness and ability to make defenders miss in ways rarely seen before or since. While Jeanty has shown similar open-field mastery in college, the NFL presents a different beast entirely with faster, stronger defenders.
Stat Comparison: Rookie Seasons
| Player | College YPC | Missed Tackles Forced | 40-Yard Dash |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanty (2024) | 7.0 | 164 | 4.38 |
| Sanders (1988) | 7.6 | N/A | 4.37 |
Jeanty’s Injury Scare: Should Raiders Fans Be Worried?
The preseason game against the 49ers provided both highlights and concerns – Jeanty bulldozed a defender on a spectacular 13-yard run but later left the game temporarily after a hard hit. While he returned to score a touchdown, the incident raised questions about durability for the 5’9″, 205-pound back.
History shows that smaller running backs often face injury challenges in the NFL. Recent examples like Christian McCaffrey and Jahvid Best demonstrate how critical durability is for feature backs. The Raiders training staff will need to carefully manage Jeanty’s workload.
Preseason Stats Deep Dive: How Jeanty Stacks Up to Recent RB Prospects
Through three preseason games, Jeanty has shown flashes of his college dominance:
- 4.9 yards per carry against starting defenses
- 3 touchdowns in limited red zone opportunities
- 87% pass block win rate (best among rookie RBs)
These numbers compare favorably to recent top running back prospects. Bijan Robinson averaged 5.2 YPC last preseason while Jahmyr Gibbs struggled at just 3.8 YPC. Jeanty’s ability to contribute immediately in pass protection makes him especially valuable in today’s NFL.
Raiders Backfield Battle: Will Jeanty Steal the Starting Job?
With veterans like Raheem Mostert and Zamir White in the mix, the Raiders have options at running back. However, early reports from training camp suggest Jeanty is separating himself:
- Receiving first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills
- Showing natural chemistry with QB Gardner Minshew
- Leading all backs in explosive play percentage
Fantasy Football Impact: Where Should You Draft Jeanty?
For fantasy managers, Jeanty presents an intriguing high-risk, high-reward proposition. His current ADP sits at RB18 in PPR formats, between veterans like James Cook and breakout candidates like Jonathon Brooks.
Key considerations:
- Upside: Could be a top-5 RB if he wins the starting job outright
- Risk: Raiders may use a committee approach early
- Sleeper Potential: His receiving skills add extra value in PPR
Jeanty’s power run against the 49ers was nasty 💪 But comparing him to Barry Sanders? Pump the brakes, folks. Dude hasn’t even played a regular-season snap yet. 😅
Bro, Barry had moves nobody’s seen since. Jeanty’s good but let’s not disrespect the GOAT.
Nah, I’m here for the hype. Jeanty’s YAC numbers in college were insane. If anyone can live up to it, it’s him.
Marcus Allen’s right—Jeanty’s his own player. Why do we always gotta force these comparisons? Let the kid cook without absurd expectations.
Injury scare had me sweating 😓 But bouncing back with a TD? That’s the mentality Raiders need. Still, Vegas’ O-line worries me more than Jeanty’s talent.
Facts. That O-line is a bigger question mark than Jeanty’s health.
Y’all realize Barry averaged 1,500 yards/season, right? Jeanty could be great, but this hype train’s derailing before it leaves the station 🚂💨