Ashton Jeanty Doesn’t Have the “IT” Factor, According to Ryan Clark

Ryan Clark claimed the reason Ashton Jeanty hasn't been able to perform in the NFL is because he did not compete against elite opponents at Boise State.

Ashton Jeanty Doesn’t Have the “IT” Factor, According to Ryan Clark

L-R: Pete Carroll, Ashton Jeanty, and Ryan Clark (Image via IMAGO)

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Ryan Clark made a shocking claim about Ashton Jeanty ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders’ crucial week three clash against the Washington Commanders. Clark doesn’t believe that the first-year running back has the ‘it’ factor required to be an elite athlete in the NFL.

The Raiders are 1-1 after their opening two fixtures. Jeanty played significant minutes in both ties, racking up 81 rushing yards on 30 carries, which is 2.7 yards per carry.

These numbers are far from being elite; some would even consider them below average.

Former NFL defensive back turned ESPN analyst Ryan Clark raised questions about Jeanty’s credentials as a pro rusher. 

To me, Ashton Jeanty doesn’t have that pop, doesn’t have that thing that makes him different. What’s Ashton Jeanty’s ‘it’ factor? Because when you got it, you got it, and it pops.

Ryan Clark said on First Take

From Clark’s perspective, Jeanty’s exceptional final year at Boise State, with 29 rushing touchdowns and over 2600 yards, was only achievable because the level of competition was not comparable to the NFL.

You think Derwin James is going to get tired of hitting him? You think these [linebackers] in the league are going to get tired of hitting him?

Clark said

Jeanty received a 55.3 overall PFF grade. He’s currently 28th in rushing yards, 33rd in rushing attempts, and 18th in yards after carry.

A sixth overall pick should be better than this. Clark compared Jeanty with Chargers great LaDainian Tomlinson, who hit the ground running from day one and finished the rookie year with 1236 yards and 10 touchdowns on 339 carries.

LaDainian Tomlinson put his foot in the ground; he would be so far away from you on the next step. The explosion, the lateral quickness—it was different. I don’t see that from Ashton Jeanty.

Clark quipped

While Jeanty has yet to set the league on fire, the underlying numbers show that he is slowly adjusting to the NFL’s pace. He has made two explosive 10+ yard runs (19th best), has forced 8 missed tackles, is 4th in elusiveness, and has yet to fumble or drop the ball despite taking heavy hits from the opposition defense behind a Raiders offensive line, which is the 4th worst in the league.

Ashton Jeanty to get extra workload against the Commanders

Jeanty played 54 (86%) of offensive snaps in the week one win against the Patriots. The offensive snaps plummeted to 39 (56%) in the following week against the Chargers.

Ashton Jeanty Doesn’t Have the “IT” Factor, According to Ryan Clark
Ashton Jeanty played college football for Boise State (Image via IMAGO)

Speaking with the media, Jeanty stated that he wanted to play more snaps.

I don’t think you draft a guy like me to not give me carries and touches. I’m ready for the responsibility. It’s gonna start with me in the run game, and I gotta continue to get better.

Jeanty said

Media relayed Jeanty’s message to the Raiders’ offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly. The veteran coach claimed that Jeanty’s snap count decreased because of adopting the load management method.

You would love for Ashton Jeanty to play every play. You have to be conscious that, over the course of 17 games, if some guy is carrying the ball 30 times a game, they only have so many carries in a season. If you’re using them early, it’ll hurt you late.

Chip Kelly said

This bodes well for the Raiders’ other RBs, Zamir White and Dylan Laube. However, head coach Pete Carroll shared a different opinion. He hinted that more work is on the way for Jeanty.

We’re just getting started. He’s breaking into the NFL. He’s figuring it out. He’ll get more carries.

Coach Carroll said (H/T: Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Fans just have to wait until Sunday to witness whether Jeanty has a breakout game against the Commanders or not. The record stands at 7-7 after 14 meetings between the two teams.

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