Raiders praise 'coachable' Ashton Jeanty at minicamp - ESPN

HENDERSON, Nev. — Following the final day of the Las Vegas Raiders' mandatory minicamp, coach Pete Carroll delivered high praise for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who has been every bit of what the team had hoped for thus far.

«He caught the ball well, understood stuff, took everything seriously [and] gave terrific effort throughout,» Carroll said Thursday. «We made a big deal of him — 'Everybody's watching you' — and he embraced the thought of it. And so, it's going to be exciting to see what happens.»

Las Vegas drafted Jeanty with the sixth pick in April's draft with the expectation that the Heisman Trophy runner-up would improve the league's worst rushing attack from last season.

Since the start of organized team activity practices in May, Jeanty has done a good job of getting acclimated to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's scheme. Jeanty has received the most first-team reps out of the running backs on the roster.

Carroll explained the importance of Jeanty and other rookies like wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. and cornerback Darien Porter to get those reps so that they are ready to play early.

«This is what I've done with rookies for a long time,» Carroll said. «It just depends on how well you orchestrate what you ask them to do. And if they can find success, that helps our depth and helps us stay competitive.»

Indeed, it's right to reserve some judgment until the pads are on. But certain things, such as Jeanty's cuts, contact balance, and understanding of the playbook, have the team hopeful that they struck gold with the 21-year-old.

Veteran running back Raheem Mostert called Jeanty a «generational talent.» He became a fan of Jeanty while watching him record 2,601 rushing yards — the second most in a season