Sportsnaut
The Las Vegas Raiders wasted little time on the clock before selecting Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Widely regarded as one of the best running back prospects of the last decade, Jeanty’s talent is not the only thing standing out at Raiders training camp.
On a recent episode of the Inside Coverage podcast, senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports shared how Raiders general manager John Spytek really loved Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin during his time in Tampa Bay, in part because of how well-prepared Godwin was as a rookie. Las Vegas is now seeing that same level of preparation from Jeanty.
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“From what I’ve heard, Jeanty’s been the same way. Bought his house, buttoned up everything he could possibly button up outside of what he has to do in the facility and on the football field. So that from an integration standpoint, once the regular season starts, he doesn’t have to figure anything out. He gets out of camp, he’s like a veteran. He’s already part of the community, he already knows where he’s living, he knows how to get back-and-forth from the facility. just all the outside details, it sounds like Jeanty’s already taken care of those. I think it reminds that front office, particularly Spytek, of how Godwin handled himself. That was kind of a gold-standard player, in terms of coming into the league and being a pro from their first step.”
Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson on Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty
Godwin entered the league as the 84th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, likely with an even greater need to prove himself than Jeanty does now. The wide receiver’s dedication to ensuring he could focus entirely on football for his first training camp and rookie season was an early indicator of his work ethic.
Jeanty, who entered Raiders training camp viewed as a centerpiece of Chip Kelly’s offense, appears to be bringing that same mentality and level of preparedness. While the Raiders’ front office fell in love with the talent the Heisman Trophy runner-up brings to the table, his work ethic and character also seem to fit perfectly with the new culture under Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady.
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This bodes well for Jeanty having a successful rookie season, despite the hype surrounding him. The 21-year-old’s work ethic is also a promising sign for his long-term potential.
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