Breer: Ashton Jeanty drops weight to 207 with diet

It makes some sense given how the offseason played out, as the Raiders never really settled on a potential third-down back until they signed Dare Ogunbowale once training camp started. Jeanty playing all three downs would be a major feather in his cap from a fantasy perspective should it come to pass. Jeanty caught 55 passes for 346 yards and five scores in 2026, but given the quality of receiver talent on this roster, he could do better in his second season.

This is the second report in as many weeks, published on the team website, where Jeanty says he does not want to come off the field in 2026 and a Raiders coach backs him up. Per Young, Jeanty is currently refining his pass protection, receiving skills and ability “to make the simple plays in the run game.” It remains to be seen whether Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak will move on from the two-player backfield rotation that has served him well in the past. Thus far, though, Jeanty’s odds of securing a true bellcow role seem to be ever so slightly ticking upward.

Nothing is set in stone, but this quote is worth paying close attention to. Kubiak employed a steady two-running back rotation in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run last year. Is it possible he would adjust his philosophy if the backfield’s talent requires him to do so? With a “slight” smile, Kubiak said that the team wants “to put a lot of pressure” on RB1 Ashton Jeanty, before noting that 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey’s “play-snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.” Jeanty echoed the sentiment, saying, “if I don’t have to, I don’t want to come off the field.” Now, if rookie RB Mike Washington Jr. takes spring and summer practices by storm, Kubiak will probably rotate him in regularly. However, it seems as though Kubiak is at least open to the idea of featuring Jeanty as a full-time player.

It’s a record-breaking contract that makes Linderbaum the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in NFL history. The $27 million average per year beat Creed Humphrey’s record for centers by $8 million a season. The Raiders desperately needed this kind of talent infusion on their interior line, and with Fernando Mendoza (almost certainly) about to arrive soon, Linderbaum will help him set protections and get him adjusted to the NFL game. The rumors that Linderbaum was about to get a blank check in free agency proved more than true. This is also a big boost to Ashton Jeanty’s fantasy stock.

It’s not the news dynasty managers who spent valuable draft capital last season want to hear, but it isn’t all that surprising to hear from Kubiak, who deployed both Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet at high rates last season. Jeanty will almost certainly operate as the lead back, but it is a bit alarming when you consider how Walker and Charbonnet were utilized last season, and the fact that both running backs finished as the RB28 in PPR points per game (11.3). It’s far too early to panic, but fantasy managers already participating in early best ball drafts may want to consider this latest piece of news before selecting Jeanty in the last first/early second round of drafts.

Mendoza is all but certain to land with the Raiders, who have the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After displaying “elite accuracy and overall arm talent to throw to all levels of the field” during his final season at Indiana — leading the Hoosiers to the team’s first national title — Mendoza should be a good fir for Kubiak, fresh off turning Sam Darnold into a Super Bowl winning quarterback. “Mendoza brings a strong frame and in-pocket mobility with enough creativity to handle duress out of structure,” Yates said. “And his quick-processing skills point to a successful starting NFL QB.” Even if Mendoza struggles as a rookie, he will be a major upgrade for Brock Bowers and the rest of the Vegas pass catchers.

Jeanty ends an uneven rookie campaign with a monster workload in a run-heavy scheme designed to get the season over with as soon as humanly possible. Jeanty will finish with the seventh most rushing attempts in the NFL this season and the 16th most yards. He finished 30th in rush yards after contact per rushing attempt, operating behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines. He had as many runs of over ten yards (24) as Breece Hall. The Raiders tried to utilize Jeanty with heavy workloads, but with no room to run, Jeanty eclipsed 100 rushing yards just twice in 2025. Jeanty’s pass game usage increased as the season wore on; he finished with 55 grabs on 69 targets. A new coaching staff willing to use Jeanty in more creative ways should improve his 2026 fantasy prospects.

Jeanty simply had nowhere to run behind the Raiders’ offensive line. He regularly got hit near the line of scrimmage and was unable to will his way past the Giants’ swarming defenders. Defenses already have little reason to respect the Raiders’ passing offense, and things could be even more difficult against the Chiefs next week, with QB Geno Smith (ankle) potentially sidelined. Jeanty remains just a volume-based RB2.

Jeanty isn’t dealing with any injuries right now. The Raiders are simply tanking so effectively that Schefter felt the need to mention he won’t be getting the day off. Vegas has already shut down Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby. Both players had been playing through their respective injuries for weeks. The Raiders’ game versus the Giants today will determine the No. 1 overall pick, making Week 17 the perfect time for the team to put the pair of star players on ice. With no injuries of note this year, the Raiders couldn’t find a reason to do the same for Jeanty. Coming off a 188-yard, two-score explosion in Week 16, Jeanty is back in our RB1 good graces versus New York.

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of your benching actions. Jeanty wasn’t so involved in the passing game, but he did split out wide and toast Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o down the sideline. He added a 51-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to pull the Raiders within two, and generally was getting more space than he had all season. Concerning stuff for the Texans’ rush defense, down a few players in the interior and Azeez Al-Shaair. The Giants make Jeanty an instant no-thought start in Week 17 anyway, but especially after this game, you’ll be firing him up.