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Last season, Brock Bowers entered a Las Vegas Raiders program projected 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 their first player on draft night.
So when you look at the expectations of Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty this season, Bowers is the right man to ask about shouldering that load while getting acclimated to the NFL.
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Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up prior to 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 ignite the bullpen in his first few games with the Raiders, who took him sixth overall back in April. But every NFL player knows that it’s not always going to go your way, especially in your rookie season.
Bowers spoke with Pakinomist Digital about some advice he gave Jeanty — from first to first rounds.
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“Just do your thing,” Bowers said, while also highlighting his time with USAA and the importance of safe driving in Las Vegas on Tuesday. “I mean, you’ve been playing football since you were little. It’s still just football at the end of the day. You still get the hand and run. You just have to do what you do every single day. It’s not too different.”
Jeanty’s NFL debut saw just 38 yards on 19 carries, though he did score a touchdown in a win over the New England Patriots. He averaged just over three yards per carry. carry through his first three games, and talk of whether or not he was ready for the NFL began to solidify.
But Bowers saw what Jeanty did every week in practice and remembered why he was so happy he was going to win the Heisman last season — he’s a baller who wants to lower his shoulder and help his team fight for yards.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) catches the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
“He definitely has that chip on his shoulder and wants to hit guys, he wants to mess people up,” Bowers said. “It’s cool to see. It stinks to be on the sidelines, but it’s cool to see him.”
Bowers has been sidelined with a knee injury, but he has seen Jeanty out the past few weeks, starting with a Week 4 performance of 138 yards on 21 carries, including a rushing touchdown. He followed that up with 67 yards on 14 touches in the backfield with five catches for 42 yards as well.
And last week, as the Raiders got back into the win column, Jeanty totaled 75 yards on 23 carries for his third rushing score of the season, all the while lowering his shoulder and mowing down defenders in an effort to pick up extra yardage.
It may have been a slow crawl, but Jeanty is asserting himself as the top linebacker that the Raiders and the rest of the NFL believed he could be.
“He’s going out there the last few weeks, breaking tackles, running through guys and making people miss. It’s really cool to see,” Bowers added.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie RB Ashton Jeanty has impressed teammate Brock Bowers through the first six games of the season. (Getty)
Jeanty still has miles to go before he reaches that elite status for his position, but the signs are there in the last few games. Bowers and the Raiders hope he will continue to build on the momentum he has gained in recent performances.
SAFETY FIRST
Bowers has been sidelined with his injury, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have time for an important initiative with USAA.
He teamed up with the 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 navigates the user through a series of driving distractions to see who can drive the safest.
Members of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department also came out for the event.
Brock Bowers poses with members of the Las Vegas Police Department (USAA)
“I’m pretty sure everyone has a story of being, directly or indirectly, affected by certain accidents. I think everyone has a story based on that, so I think it’s important to spread awareness.
“I think one of the most important things is that you affect 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.”
