Las Vegas Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty or WR Tetairoa McMillan at pick number six of the 2025 NFL Draft?
There has been a lot of mock drafts and speculation about both WR Tetairoa McMillan and RB Ashton Jeanty going to the Raiders in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Raiders hold the sixth overall pick, with the draft just a little over a month away. To be clear, both of these players would be great picks. But who would be the best fit for the Raiders, and why? Let’s jump in and weigh the pros and cons of both players, and then I’ll explain who I think is better, specifically for the Raiders.
RB Ashton Jeanty
Make no mistake about it. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty is not your average running back. This guy is a freak of nature. He’s only 21 years old, and could very well be a generation RB. Let me explain the facts on why he could be a generational player.
• 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. Both of those stats are INSANE for a running back.
• In 2023, Jeanty led his team in rushing yards with 1,347 and 14 touchdowns, he also had 569 receiving yards (Second highest on the team), To go with 5 receiving touchdowns, and he was also named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year.
• Jeanty was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in both 2023 AND 2024, while also being a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2024.
• He also led the FBS in yards from scrimmage and rushing yards.
• Boise State’s offensive line was not great. Jeanty averaged 1.4 yards BEFORE contact. Which means almost 2,000 of his 2600 yards were after contact.
WR Tetairoa McMillan
Arizona Wildcat’s WR “T-Mac” Will be 22 in a few weeks just before the draft. He’s a very talented, big body wide receiver who can make just about any catch in any kind of traffic. Two defensive players on him? No problem. He will likely still catch the ball over them. And not only is he a big receiver, but he’s very fast, especially for his size as well.
• Surpassed Bobby Wade for first in school history with 3,423 career receiving yards.
• Finished third in school history with 26 career touchdown receptions.
• In 2024, McMillan had 84 catches, 1,319 yards and 8 touchdowns.
• He was First-Team All-Big 12.
• 2024 Biletnikoff Award Finalist.
• Polynesian College Football Player of the Year.
• Second-Team FWAA All-American.
Conclusion:
My conclusion is, like I said, both of these players would be a great addition to the silver and black. But, who would lead the team to more wins? To me, no question, Ashton Jeanty is that guy. He can lead a team to victory, almost single handedly. And this is no knock on T-Mac. Most wide receivers, especially as rookies, do not have the ability to take over a game by themselves. But a running back, especially Ashton Jeanty, most certainly could. Running backs can get the ball 20-30+ times a game and control their own destiny, especially behind a solid offensive line. A wide receiver has to rely on a quarterback and numerous other factors, and don’t forget the Raiders have a fair share of targets already going to both Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Jeanty could also play WR out of the backfield on top of it. An RB gets the ball a lot more regardless, especially someone that could be generational like Jeanty. Even with a lot of solid options later in the draft, I believe Ashton Jeanty would be the BETTER pick for the Raiders. Thoughts?
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