Latest news with #Raiders
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 Rookie Stat Prediction: Ashton Jeanty
The Las Vegas Raiders made a tempo setting move when they took Memphis running back Ashton Jeanty at the top end of round one in the 2025 NFL Draft. A Heisman finalist and one of the best players in the country, Jeanty is a slam dunk for a team wanting to forge a new identity under head coach Pete Carroll. With Las Vegas boasting a new quarterback in Geno Smith who can put up the deep ball as well as anyone in the league, Jeanty should have plenty of opportunity with teams unable to load the box against him. Given Jeanty should be the easily number one back on the team, and that he should be the tempo setting engine that makes the offense move, he should see plenty of action throughout the season and be one of the leagues most productive backs. Given his skillset and the amount of opportunity he will get, expect Jeanty to be the heavy favorite for 'Offensive Rookie of the Year' as he should be one of the top producers at his position. Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Prediction: 1,300 rush yards, 550 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: 2025 Rookie Stat Prediction: Ashton Jeanty
NBC Sports
21 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Josh Jacobs says he "left a lot on the table" last season
Josh Jacobs left the Raiders after five seasons, signing with the Packers in the 2024 offseason. In his first season in Green Bay, the running back had the most rushing touchdowns of his career (15) and the second-most yards (1,329) and second-most carries (301). It was not the year Jacobs wanted. 'I feel like I had a good year, but I feel like I still left a lot on the table,' Jacobs said, via Wes Hodkiewicz of the team website. 'For me, it's just trying to come in and chase that No. 1 spot and raise a Super Bowl [trophy] at the end of the day. That's the only thing that's really on my mind.' Jacobs hopes for the season Saquon Barkley had last season in his first season with the Eagles when he led the league in rushing, won offensive player of the year and won a Super Bowl. With Barkley, Henry and Jacobs doing what they're doing, the running back position has become valued again. 'I feel like everything in football, and really in life, it comes full circle,' Jacobs said. 'Besides the quarterback, we touch the ball more than anybody else on the field, so we have the most opportunities to create and be special, so I'm proud of a lot of these guys who stepped up and showed their versatility and played good.'
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Raiders P AJ Cole had the most AJ Cole big ticket purchase upon signing his new deal
Raiders P AJ Cole had the most AJ Cole big ticket purchase upon signing his new deal Anyone who has spoken to AJ Cole or watched one of his press conferences knows he's a character. The good kind. Not the weird wear-a-power-rangers-mask-to-training-camp, or punt-bags-of-pasta-at-the-grocery-store kind of character. He's just a funny, good natured dude. He also happens to be the best punter in the NFL. And this week he was rewarded by the Raiders for it when they made him the NFL's highest paid punter on a four-year extension. Most players when getting a big new contract will treat themselves to a big ticket item of some kind. Cole is no different. Although his choice of big ticket item may be quite a bit different. And it's so him. "All of my plants died, so we just re-landscaped our yard," Cole said of his big spend. "So, shout out to Antonio, Moon Valley Nurseries. So, I'm really excited, pretty excited that I get to stay here and watch those plants grow up. Because I don't know if you guys have bought plants before, but they're really, really expensive. And so, yeah, that was the big-ticket purchase, a couple of new queen palm trees in the backyard and a couple sweet Bay laurels on the side." He's just so wholesome it's ridiculous. The Raiders are very lucky to have him. Both for his on-field prowess and his off-field character.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Las Vegas Raiders could pursue Tyreek Hill trade to strengthen 2025 offense, with $36M cap space available
Raiders eye Tyreek Hill to boost offense (Image via: Getty Images) T he Las Vegas Raiders are rebuilding after a tough 2024 season with three different starting quarterbacks. New GM John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll are leading the changes. With around $36 million in cap space, the Raiders might pursue star wide receiver Tyreek Hill to strengthen their offense for the 2025 season. Tyreek Hill could ignite the Raiders' offense The Story of Tyreek Hill On paper, the Raiders' offense looks promising but incomplete. Geno Smith, acquired from Seattle, is expected to lead the charge in 2025, certainly an upgrade from last year's quarterback carousel involving Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell, and Desmond Ridder. Smith brings stability, experience, and a proven ability to manage an offense, but his supporting cast leaves much to be desired. Second-year tight end Brock Bowers has already shown flashes of brilliance, while rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has the potential to make a splash. However, beyond Jakobi Meyers, the wide receiver group lacks explosive playmakers, leaving a glaring void in the Raiders' aerial attack. Enter Tyreek Hill—a controversial but undeniably electrifying talent. At 31, Hill might be past his absolute prime, but his speed and playmaking ability remain elite. From a modest start as a fifth-round pick from Kansas City, Hill blossomed into one of the NFL's most feared receivers, boasting five All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl ring. His career stats speak volumes: nearly 800 receptions, over 11,000 yards, and 82 touchdowns between his stints with the Chiefs and Dolphins. Despite his on-field production, Hill's relationship with the Miami Dolphins appears strained, especially after his candid frustration with the team's finish last season. Although Dolphins GM Chris Grier insists Hill isn't currently available for trade, rumors swirl around his possible departure. For the Raiders, who currently hold roughly $36 million in cap space, pursuing Hill would be a costly but potentially transformative gamble. Beyond his talent, Hill's presence would instantly diversify the Raiders' offense. His blazing speed would stretch defenses and open up underneath routes for players like Bowers, possibly elevating the entire unit. Moreover, Hill still has two years left on his contract, which could be renegotiated to ease salary cap pressures. Also Read: Jets lean on Nelson Agholor amidst dramatic overhaul and Aaron Rodgers departure Acquiring Hill would come with risk—both financially and locker-room wise. But the Raiders seem willing to take chances under their new leadership. If they pull off this move, it could signal a franchise ready to shed its recent struggles and return to contender status.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Geno Smith and Pete Carroll reunion in Vegas has the Raiders hoping for repeat success
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Raiders were stretching before practice Thursday when coach Pete Carroll wandered over to quarterback Geno Smith. As the two chatted for about a minute as Smith continued to go through his stretches, it was a clear reminder of the strong relationship the two built in Seattle — and what that could mean now that they are reunited in Las Vegas. 'I think Coach Carroll is extremely relatable," Smith said. "I think he understands that guys have got to be themselves in order to be their best selves. He's a fun person to be around. You see just how positive he always is, he's always got a bright smile, he's always laughing, joking around. It's not him above the team or anyone above the team. It's everyone together, collectively.' The Raiders hope the success the two had together with the Seahawks translates to their new home. Carroll took Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances — winning once with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Later, Carroll resurrected Smith's career by signing him in 2019 as the backup. Smith, a second-round pick in 2019 by the Jets, had lost his starting job with New York and spent one season each as a backup with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers. Smith took over as Seattle's starter in 2022 and led the league by completing 69.8% of his passes while throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He was selected as the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. The Seahawks posted winning records all three years with Smith as the starter, but his career there reached a crossroads after last season. The two parties failed to reach a contract agreement, leading to the March 7 trade in which the Raiders gave up a third-round draft pick. That means Smith is starting over again. 'There's not a lot of guys that would have shown that resiliency,' offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said. "There's not a lot of guys that would have persevered through all of that. ... He's so relatable to everybody in this program because he's kind of lived that life. "The fact that he has done it and come out and to be the way he is now is really a testament to him.' Smith said his up-and-down NFL career has helped him 'cherish it a little bit more.' The Raiders are putting their hopes and money — they signed Smith to a two-year, $75 million extension that takes it through the 2027 season — that he can help make the franchise at least competitive again. Three AFC West teams made the playoffs last season. The Raiders, who went 4-13, were the only ones taking early vacations, meaning hopes of ending a playoff victory drought that dates to the 2003 season would continue. Smith also has the burden of trying to win in a division with fellow quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix. But Smith also takes over an offense that includes tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Bowers comes off a rookie season in which he was named an All-Pro after catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards. Meyers, who took over as the top receiver after Davante Adams was traded to the Jets, broke the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time. Jeanty was drafted sixth overall this year out of Boise State after finishing second in the Heisman Trophy balloting. 'Winning is something that we want to do right now,' Smith said. "Just seeing the direction everything's going and how hard these guys are working and just how bad everyone wants to win, I'm fortunate to be a part of this thing. I just want to continue to build it, to continue for this thing to grow. The sky's the limit for this team, this organization. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.' At 34, Smith provides a veteran presence at sports' ultimate leadership position, and Kelly said he even has impacted how the coaches go about their business. 'He's just been emblematic of what a leader should be, by his habits and by the way he brings himself every day," Carroll said. 'He's the first guy out here, he's the last guy to leave.' Meyers noted that time commitment as well. /hub/nfl
