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Last season, Brock Bowers came into a Las Vegas Raiders program that was expected to be an immediate impact player as the team’s first-round pick.
After all, that’s exactly what every NFL team has in mind when they call up their first player on draft night.
So, seeing the Raiders’ expectations for running back Ashton Jeanty this season, Bowers is the right man to ask about carrying that load while also acclimating to the NFL.
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Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Jeanty, the Boise State product who was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season, didn’t immediately shine in his first games with the Raiders, who drafted him sixth overall in April. But every NFL player knows that things won’t always go his way, especially in his rookie season.
Bowers spoke with Pak Gazette Digital about some advice he gave Jeanty: from first round to first round.
RAIDERS’ ASHTON JEANTY SENDS MESSAGE TO NFL AFTER TACKLING 49ERS DEFENDER
“Just do your thing,” Bowers said, while highlighting his time with USAA and the importance of driving safely in Las Vegas on Tuesday. “I mean, you’ve been playing football since you were little. At the end of the day, it’s still just football. You’re still taking the handoff and running around. You just have to do what you do every day. It’s not much different.”
Jeanty’s NFL debut saw just 38 yards on 19 carries, although he did score a touchdown in the win over the New England Patriots. He was averaging just over three yards per carry through his first three games, and the conversation about whether or not he was ready for the NFL began to fester.
But Bowers saw what Jeanty did each week in practice and remembered why he rooted for him to win the Heisman last season: He’s a player who wants to put his shoulder down and help his team fight for yards.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) catches the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
“He definitely has that resentment and he wants to beat up guys, he wants to ruin people,” Bowers said. “It’s great to see. It sucks to be on the sidelines, but it’s great to see.”
Bowers has been sidelined with a knee injury, but has been watching Jeanty play the last few weeks, starting with a Week 4 performance of 138 yards on 21 carries, including a rushing touchdown. He followed with 67 yards on 14 touches in the backfield with five receptions for 42 yards as well.
And last week, as the Raiders got back into the win column, Jeanty totaled 75 yards on 23 carries with his third rushing touchdown of the season, all while lowering his shoulder and tackling defenders in an effort to gain more yards.
It may have been slow progress, but Jeanty is establishing himself as the premier running back the Raiders and the rest of the NFL believed he could be.
“He’s been out there the last two weeks, breaking tackles, running through guys and making people miss. It’s really cool to see,” Bowers added.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has impressed teammate Brock Bowers through the first six games of the season. (GETTY)
Jeanty still has miles to go before reaching that elite status for his position, but the signs are there in these last few games. Bowers and the Raiders hope he continues to build on the momentum he has gained in recent performances.
SAFETY FIRST
Bowers has been sidelined by his injury, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have time for an important initiative with USAA.
Partnered with official “Salute to Service” partner of the Raiders and the NFL to highlight the importance of protecting the community through safe driving. He gave a short speech expressing the importance of safe driving while also participating in USAA’s Auto Simulator experience, which guides the user through a series of distracted driving to see who can drive the safest.
Members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department also attended the event.
Brock Bowers poses with members of the Las Vegas Police Department (USA.)
“I’m pretty sure everyone has a story about how they were affected, directly or indirectly, by certain accidents. I think everyone has a story based on that, so I think it’s important to raise awareness.
“I think one of the main things is that you’re affecting more than just yourself. It’s not just you on the road. There could be a family next to you; you never know who else is behind the wheel.”
