Just like Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty fell for draft night prank claiming Cowboys trade

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Heisman Trophy runner-up from Boise State, Ashton Jeanty, with the sixth overall pick.

Just like Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty fell for draft night prank claiming Cowboys trade

Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty (Images via SI/ESPN)

In the modern century of technology, privacy is one of the biggest concerns. A trend seen in the couple of past NFL Drafts continued this year with prank calls to the draft prospects – Shedeur Sanders being the most talked about in the event that took place a few days ago.

The former Colorado Buffs’ quarterback’s number was earlier though of leaked by the daughter of the New York Giants’ GM. He was contacted by Jeff Ulbrich‘s son, Jax Ulbrich, pretending to be Las Vegas Raiders management. Sanders received some other prank calls as well. However, he was not the only athlete who received such calls amid the 2025 Annual Players Selection Meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State player who came close to breaking Barry Sanders’ single-collegiate-season rushing record, was yet another young-gun who got the prank call.

In a recent episode of the “Stacking the Box” podcast, Jeanty revealed that he was contacted by someone who informed that the Dallas Cowboys are selecting him after trading with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Some dude called me who was like, ‘Yeah… we just traded with the Raiders and you’re coming to the Cowboys. I just hung up, bro. I was like, ‘Come on, bro’.

Ashton Jeanty said

As compared to Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty, however, realized that it was a prank call. He also was in a lesser pickle, considering he was picked by one team already, whereas Sanders was tested by the league before he was selected at 144th by the Cleveland Browns.

The Las Vegas Raiders pounced on him while the Cowboys missed adding a talent like Jeanty to their team. The Cowboys did have an immediate requirement for a running back after losing Rico Dowdle in free agency.

They settled with offensive lineman Tyler Booker in the first round and eventually added a running back in Jaydon Blue in the fifth round – yes, the same one where Sanders was selected by the Cleveland Browns.

Ashton Jeanty wasn’t the Raiders’ first choice

The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2025 NFL Draft with several high-priority needs on both sides of the ball. Holding the sixth overall pick, the team ultimately selected Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty (Image Via Yardbarker)

While Jeanty had been widely considered the draft’s top back, he may not have been Las Vegas’ first-choice target.

According to Raiders insider Hondo Carpenter, the team had placed higher value on two other prospects. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter and Miami quarterback Cam Ward had both reportedly ranked ahead of Jeanty on the internal draft board. However, neither was available at the Raiders’ draft position.

Carpenter noted that Carter had been the franchise’s preferred option due to his elite pass-rushing upside.

I can tell you this. I do not believe they would have taken Jeanty if they could have gotten Cam Ward. And I do not believe they would have taken Jeanty had they could have gotten Abdul Carter.

Hondo Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast

Despite their preferences, the Raiders remained satisfied with Jeanty, who many believed to be the most dynamic running back prospect since Saquon Barkley.

If Jeanty wouldn’t have been there, Mason Graham or Jalon Walker might’ve been in play.

Hondo Carpenter added

Jeanty now enters a backfield with no entrenched starter, making his pathway to early snaps likely. The Raiders had waited until the sixth round to select a quarterback, indicating a limited belief in the class’ overall depth. Nevertheless, the selection of Jeanty addressed a glaring hole in Las Vegas’ offense.

Also Read: 3 reasons why Shedeur Sanders should be the Browns’ starting quarterback in Deshaun Watson’s absence