“He’s Got That Dog in Him”: Howie Long Breaks Down Raiders’ Draft Steal Ashton Jeanty, Comparing Him to Marshawn Lynch and Christian McCaffrey in a Shocking Endorsement
NFL Hall of Famer and legendary Raiders defensive end Howie Long didn’t hold back his praise when asked about Las Vegas’ newest draft pick—running back Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State. Long, who has never been one to hype up rookies without merit, says there’s something “different” about Jeanty. And when a man who once anchored the Silver and Black’s fearsome defense compares a young running back to a mix of Marshawn Lynch and Christian McCaffrey? You listen.
“He’s got a lot of quality that reminds me of myself—just in terms of toughness and that never-back-down mentality,” Long said in a post-draft segment on FOX. “But when I really watch this kid run… you see Beast Mode, no doubt. He’s got that Marshawn Lynch violence in the way he finishes runs. Guys bounce off him, and he’s still falling forward. That’s special.”
Jeanty, who racked up over 1,300 rushing yards in his final season at Boise State, has been on the radar of several NFL scouts for his compact power, contact balance, and ability to shift gears mid-play. But Long says it’s the combination of traits that makes the young back so rare.
“It’s not just that he’s physical. The guy can receive like McCaffrey out the backfield,” Long emphasized. “You drop him into the flat, he’ll shake a linebacker and take it 30 yards upfield. He doesn’t get enough credit for how natural his hands are.”
At 5-foot-9 and 210 pounds, Jeanty may not fit the typical prototype, but he plays like a 240-pound freight train with elite agility. His stiff arm, according to Long, is “just straight disrespectful.”
“When you’ve got a guy who can mash you like Marshawn, catch like McCaffrey, and toss defenders with a stiff arm like Derrick Henry? That ain’t just talent—that’s something you can’t teach. That’s instinct. That’s heart.”
Las Vegas, who’s had its share of up-and-down draft results in recent years, may have found a diamond in the rough with Jeanty. The rookie is expected to compete for serious playing time in his first season, with Raiders fans already buzzing about his preseason impact.
Howie Long’s seal of approval, though? That carries weight in Raider Nation.
“This kid’s got that dog in him. He’s a Raider already—and he doesn’t even know it yet.”
With comparisons to some of the league’s modern greats and a Hall of Famer calling his name, the bar has been set high for Ashton Jeanty. And judging by his college tape, the kid might just leap right over it.
1,300 yards needs to be corrected to 2,601 yards for the 2024 season. 1,300 yards was probably “After Contact”.