Raiders’ 1st-round pick makes presence felt at rookie minicamp
Ashton Jeanty has a plan in mind for the Raiders’ rookie minicamp this weekend.
Interestingly, it has less to do with football than one might think.
The former Boise State running back, taken with the sixth pick of the NFL draft last month, has plenty of time to make statements on the field. And, for the record, he looked exactly as advertised alongside the rest of the rookie class Friday, flashing the speed, vision and footwork that made him the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season.
Granted, the Raiders were not in full pads. There was no hitting or tackling. But Jeanty’s special qualities were clear in everything he did during the practice.
Occasionally he had to pinch himself, remembering how far he had come and his new reality as an NFL player.
“It feels great,” Jeanty said. “You know, lifelong dream. Just excited.”
Still, all that was secondary to another foundation Jeanty wants to lay over the next few days.
Jeanty, one day removed from signing a four-year contract for a guaranteed $35.8 million, hopes to make an impression that extends beyond the playing field.
It’s about touching base with as many of his new co-workers as possible. That includes players to coaches to front office members to the behind-the-scenes staffers who help run an NFL team.
Or, as he put it, “build relationships with everybody around the building. Get to know everyone. Let them know who I am as a person.”
Building a bond
It’s only natural that it would extend to his new teammates. The first draft class under new coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek is large in numbers and could be a key part of the foundation they hope to build. There is no time like now for that group to start creating bonds.
A big part of this weekend is setting the stage for that, whether in the weight room, classroom or field.
“We all got to be connected and build relationships,” Jeanty said. “That’s going to make us a better team and teammates.”
Everything else will fall into place the next few days and beyond.
“Get better and learn the playbook,” Jeanty said. “Embrace the new city. New place.”
About that new city
Jeanty discovered Friday that the weather in Las Vegas is different from what he was accustomed to in Boise, Idaho. He was not alone, either. Several first-year Raiders hunched over at times as their bodies dealt with the unique desert elements for the first time.
It wasn’t the extreme heat the Raiders will encounter this summer. But it was warm enough to catch everyone’s attention and remind them that Las Vegas takes time to get used to.
“It’s a little dry out here, hotter,” Jeanty said. “So I’ll probably say that’s the biggest change.”
Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.