The Raiders are heading into training camp with a clear idea for their running backs room: build around Ashton Jeanty, then add enough versatility behind him to keep the offense flexible. That approach has become even more important as Jeanty moves into Year 2 after a rookie season that produced 975 rushing yards and 1,321 scrimmage yards, both tops among first-year players in 2025.
Jeanty’s debut season was impressive even if the circumstances were not ideal. He played through multiple offensive line combinations and a midseason offensive coordinator change, yet still finished with 55 receptions and five receiving touchdowns. That dual-threat production gave the Raiders a foundation to work from, and it helps explain why the backfield now looks more tailored to his strengths.
Why the Raiders want more versatility
Heading into camp, the Raiders have added different body types and skill sets around Jeanty. Day 3 pick Mike Washington Jr. brings another young piece to the mix, while Brandon Yeargan called him “super productive” and a “high character” player after the draft. Yeargan also said the Raiders were excited about Washington’s fit in Coach Klint Kubiak and Andrew Janocko’s wide-zone scheme.
The team also added Connor Heyward after four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heyward said the opportunity mattered because of how Coach Kubiak described his potential role, and he pointed to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl as part of what made the fit appealing. His arrival gives the Raiders another multi-use option, which is exactly the kind of depth teams want when they are trying to support a young lead back.
That same theme showed up in the rest of the room. Chris Collier signed a reserve/future contract in January 2026, and Roman Hemby is also part of the mix as an UDFA. The Raiders are clearly not treating this as a one-player depth chart. They are giving themselves choices.
Jeanty remains the centerpiece
Even with the additions, Jeanty is still the centerpiece. The Raiders are expected to give him the lead role, and the early signs suggest the offense will continue to lean on his all-around skill set. He was already one of the most productive rookie backs in the league, and his receiving ability gives the coaching staff a way to keep him involved even when the ground game is not clean.
Jeanty said he is focusing more on the details entering Year 2, especially what the defense is doing, how blocking schemes are set up, and how coverage affects the play. He said the game is slowing down for him, and that repetition is helping. That kind of growth matters for a back who was productive right away but still has room to sharpen the finer points of the position.
For the Raiders, the short version is simple: Jeanty is the lead runner, but the rest of the room is being built to complement him, not compete with him. If the additions settle into the right roles, the offense could be more balanced and more adaptable than it was a year ago.
