Ashton Jeanty, Pete Carroll want the same thing for Raiders’ hyped rookie after frustrating start

The Las Vegas Raiders are pressing to get more out of rookie Ashton Jeanty after a slow start to his NFL career, a pace the team hopes will shift as the season progresses. Jeanty, the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, has 81 rushing yards on 30 carries and three receiving yards through the Raiders’ 1-1 start. The offense has largely leaned on veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who threw for 362 yards in a season-opening win over the Patriots before a Monday Night Football loss to the Chargers in which he threw three interceptions.

Jeanty spoke after practice on Wednesday, saying it’s learning curve for every rookie and that it’s rare for a first-year player to come in and be "flat-out balling." "I don’t think you draft a guy like me to not give me carries and touches, I’m ready for the responsibility, and like I said, it’s going to start with me and gotta continue to get better," Jeanty said. "The big-time performances that everybody might be expecting those will come, but it’s just about consistency."

Carroll said the Raiders want "more of" Jeanty in the offense as they look to control the latter stages of games.

Jeanty had 11 carries in the 20-9 loss to the Chargers, a game in which Las Vegas trailed for almost the entire night.

The next opportunity to feed Jeanty comes Sunday as they head to Washington to take on the Commanders.

Jeanty’s college résumé has only amplified the expectations. The Boise State standout rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and helped the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff, a background that has Raiders observers hungry for a quicker payoff on the NFL stage.

With the Raiders at 1-1 and eyes on a more balanced attack, Jeanty and the coaching staff will be tested in translating Boise State success into NFL production while navigating a young backfield and a passing game that has powered the early results.