The Las Vegas Raiders have quietly assembled one of the most promising young backfields in the NFL over the past two drafts. After snagging running back Ashton Jeanty in 2025, they followed it up by landing the first-overall pick and using it on national champion and Heisman winner Fenrando Mendoza. Now, all eyes are on Jeanty to see if he can avoid the dreaded sophomore slump and explode into stardom in 2026.

Jeanty’s rookie season was solid but not spectacular—he finished with 321 touches, the sixth-most in the entire NFL, not just among rookies. That workload proved he’s a workhorse, but the arrival of a high-profile quarterback like Mendoza changes the offensive dynamic. The Raiders are banking on this 1-2 punch to revive their competitive edge in the AFC, a conference packed with rising contenders. The AFC West remains arguably the toughest division in football, and the pressure is squarely on Jeanty to deliver.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay recently highlighted Jeanty as a player poised to develop into a star rather than fade into a slump. That’s a confident take, but it comes with a caveat. Mendoza may have all the tools to be an elite NFL quarterback, but he’s stepping into the spotlight of one of the biggest sports markets in the world. Can he balance the offense enough to keep Jeanty heavily involved?

The reality is that Jeanty’s touches will likely decrease as Mendoza’s arm takes center stage. That means every carry and catch in 2026 needs to count. If Jeanty can make the most of his opportunities, he won’t just avoid a slump—he’ll become the focal point of a Raiders offense that’s hungry to return to glory.