If you're one of the many people who are blaming Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty's slow start on him, we're sorry to inform you that you couldn't be more wrong.
Jeanty, who is averaging a putrid 3.1 yards per carry over his first three games, has had no room to run, plain and simple. The Raiders' offensive line has failed him spectacularly, and the same can be said about quarterback Geno Smith.
There is no better evidence of the offensive line's struggles than this stat: Jeanty has more yards after contact than actual rushing yards.
According to ESPN, Jeanty has gained a total of 144 yards this season, but he has 145 yards after contact.
How is that even possible?
Well, Jeanty has been getting hit at or behind the line of scrimmage quite often.
Also per ESPN, Jeanty was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 11 of his 17 carries in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. For the season, Jeanty has been hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 57% of his total rushes (27 of 47).
Again, if you're blaming Jeanty for his struggles, you would be wrong.
"We got the guys we got, and we need to keep developing and keep building on it," head coach Pete Carroll said after Week 3. "We’re working at the right guard spot. Our young guys, they’ll get their turn sometime, but they’re not ready yet.
"So, we have what we have, and we’ve got to make our guys do better, and we’ve got to fit it together better than we have," Carroll added.
In Week 3, the Raiders started Alex Cappa over Jackson Powers-Johnson at right guard and that did not work out. We should see JPJ get the nod in Week 4, and chances are he won't be worse than Cappa.
The young guys Carroll mentions are 2025 draft picks Charles Grant and Caleb Rogers. Grant hasn't been active once this season and Rogers has been a healthy scratch twice, so they aren't coming to save the day anytime soon.
The good news for Jeanty is that he has passed the eye test.
He is running with power and elusiveness and has shown solid vision when he has actually had holes to run through. Now, that's not to say he has been perfect, but Jeanty is hardly the biggest problem the Raiders have with their rushing attack.
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for Las Vegas' group upfront. The Raiders are going to just have to figure things out with the guys they have, and that's a troubling fact for Jeanty's hopes of having a good rookie season.
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