Ashton

Jeanty

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.

This was a classic “be thankful he got even that many yards” performance as the Raiders were held to 75 yards of offense on 42 total plays. They managed all of seven first downs as Kenny Pickett failed to improve on Geno Smith’s dismal play in Pete Carroll’s archaic offense. Things could remain just as bad for Week 16, with the Raiders staying on the road, this time to face one of the only defenses more imposing than the Eagles in the Texans. It’s probably time to face the truth that Jeanty can no longer even be counted on as an RB2, though there’s a solid chance you have already been eliminated if he was one of your first two picks.

Jeanty had a busy start to the day, touching the ball six times on the Raiders’ 10-play, first drive. The Broncos jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first half before extending it to 21-7 in the third quarter, putting the slow-paced Raiders in an uncomfortable pass-heavy game script. The Raiders’ slow-paced tactics limit the team’s offensive play volume and their overall offensive struggles only exacerbate things. Jeanty is an RB2 at best against the Eagles in Week 15.

Jeanty simply had nowhere to run against the Chargers’ defensive front. The unit had an excellent showing. Jeanty deserves credit for consistently getting open as a short-area route runner. His six receptions and eight targets both led the team, and his 30 receiving yards, unfortunately, trailed only TE Brock Bowers’ 63. Jeanty will have a tough time next week against the Broncos’ elite defense. Treat him as an RB2.