Ashton Jeanty had a standout year at Boise State in 2024-2025, leading the Broncos to their first-ever appearance in the CFP.
Before what would become his only collegiate playoff appearance, Jeanty was on pace to potentially break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record set in 1988. The Heisman runner-up postseason stats prior to his first and last CFP appearance against the Nittany Lions of:
- 2,497 Rushing Yards
- 29 Touchdowns
- 344 Carries
- 7 Yards/Carry
Jeanty also contributed 20 catches for 116 yards and one receiving touchdown, capping off an exceptional 2024 campaign. Unfortunately, Boise State fell short in the CFP Quarterfinals, losing to Penn State.
In that game, Jeanty ran for 104 yards on 30 carries, leaving him just 27 yards shy of Sanders’ record, now sitting in second place all-time, with 2,601 yards rushing. Despite the loss, Jeanty’s performance solidified his legacy as one of college football’s all-time great running backs.
Heisman Loss, Draft Stock Momentum
Jeanty was the 2024 Heisman runner-up, narrowly losing to Travis Hunter. Many believed Hunter’s versatility of playing significant roles on both offense and defense is what gave him the edge. Had Travis Hunter focused on one position, Jeanty might have claimed the award, as seen in the voting that many believed the young star was the true winner.
Despite the Heisman loss and the CFP exit, Jeanty’s remarkable season has earned him a projected first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. 2025 mock drafts by PFF and CBS Sports had Jeanty going to the Denver Broncos at pick 20.
However, his stock rose as the Raiders seemed to have valued his ability to make an immediate impact, despite the NFL’s current devaluation of running backs.
One intriguing alternative prior to the draft, was many mock boards had Jeanty landing with the Dallas Cowboys, who hold the 13th overall pick.
While many mock drafts also had Dallas selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, adding Jeanty to their backfield could significantly bolster their offense. Dallas hasn’t had a generational talent at running back since Ezekiel Elliott’s prime.
Pairing Jeanty with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb could provide the Cowboys with the firepower needed to make a legitimate Super Bowl run.
Ashton Jeanty: Mock Projections vs. Live Rookie Contract Reality
| Draft Status | Projected/ Actual Franchise | Exact Selection Slot | 4-Year Gross Contract Value | Primary State Income Tax | Estimated Post-Tax Contract Value |
| Mock Projection | Denver Broncos | Pick #20 | $16,052,788 | 4.40% (Colorado) | ~$9,406,932 |
| Mock Projection | Dallas Cowboys | Pick #12 | $19,352,762 | 0.00% (Texas) | ~$12,192,240 |
| Draft Day Reality | Las Vegas Raiders | Pick #6 | $35,895,812 | 0.00% (Nevada) | ~$22,614,361 |
While early scouts feared the devalued running back market would slide Jeanty down to the late first round, the Raiders’ decision to pull him at #6 completely altered his financial destiny. By jumping from the projected 20th pick to the 6th spot, Jeanty increased his gross portfolio value by $19.84 million.
Furthermore, landing in Nevada’s zero-percent tax state insulated his wealth, saving him an estimated $1.57 million in structural state tax drag that a Colorado destination could have triggered.
Denver Broncos (20th Overall)
Here’s a breakdown of Jeanty’s potential rookie contracts, based on his current projected draft selection positions. Per various sources, the rookie contract for the 20th pick in the 2025 Draft is valued at 4 years/$16,052,788, broken down as follows:
- Year 1: $2,918,689
- Year 2: $3,648,361
- Year 3: $4,378,033
- Year 4: $5,107,705
As a first-round pick, Jeanty’s earnings are fully guaranteed, including a substantial signing bonus.
However, Colorado’s 4.4%state income tax, combined with the federal 37% tax rate, would significantly reduce his take-home pay. After taxes, Jeanty’s net earnings over four years would be approximately $9,406,932, broken down annually:
- Year 1: $1,710,351
- Year 2: $2,137,939
- Year 3: $2,565,527
- Year 4: $2,993,115
Dallas Cowboys (12th Overall)
The rookie contract for the 12th pick is valued at 4 years/$19,352,762, offering a significant financial advantage. Texas’ lack of a state income tax further boosts Jeanty’s net earnings, leaving only the 37% federal tax. Over four years, Jeanty could take home ~$12.1M, with an annual breakdown of:
- Year 1: $2,216,770
- Year 2: $2,770,963
- Year 3: $3,325,156
- Year 4: $3,879,349
State-Specific Implications
Beyond salary, Texas presents additional financial advantages. For instance, the Denver, Colorado housing market is 105.5% more expensive than Dallas’s. This means Jeanty’s money would go further in Dallas, while also saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax payments.
Additionally, Dallas home values have appreciated by 22.5% over the past year, compared to Denver’s 12.8%. For both federal and state implications, as well as the financial markets within the states, Dallas is a more attractive market for long-term investment opportunities.
The Bottom Line
- Live contract value secured: $35,895,812
- Realized financial gain: +$19,843,024.
Analyzing old mock drafts highlights just how much a player’s draft night momentum dictates their lifetime financial trajectory.
Had Jeanty slipped to a mid-tier mock destination like Denver, a lower wage scale and state income taxes would have kept his initial net worth below the eight-figure threshold. Instead, by defying positional biases and forcing his way into the top ten with the Las Vegas Raiders, the former Boise State star maximized both his draft slot scaling and regional tax benefits and residency decisions.
Ashton Jeanty Rookie Contract Projections & Tax Strategy (FAQs)
How did Ashton Jeanty’s actual Las Vegas Raiders contract compare to his pre-draft projections?
Pre-draft mock tables consistently pegged Ashton Jeanty as a mid-to-late first-round selection, valuing his rookie contract between $16 million and $19 million. However, the Las Vegas Raiders broke historical trends by picking him at #6 overall, resulting in a fully guaranteed 4-year contract worth $35,895,812, nearly doubling his initial projected baseline value.
What specific tax advantages did Ashton Jeanty secure by being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders?
By landing with the Raiders, Jeanty benefits from Nevada’s status as one of the few U.S. states with no state income tax. This means his $22.7 million signing bonus and standard base salaries are entirely shielded from state-level deductions, allowing him to retain a significantly higher percentage of liquid earnings than if he had signed with teams located in higher-tax territories like Colorado or California.
How does draft position scaling impact the guaranteed structure of an NFL rookie contract?
Under the current NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, all first-round rookie selections receive contracts that are fully guaranteed across their four-year durations. However, the raw volume scales upward aggressively with each higher slot. Moving up from pick #20 to pick #6 didn’t just expand Jeanty’s overall salary cap figures; it significantly amplified his immediate liquidity by delivering a massive $22.74 million signing bonus on day one.
Next Reads
- Heisman Winner and Raiders #1 2026 NFL Draft Pick Fernando Mendoza Should Leave Indiana In the Past and Anchor In Nevada: Rookie Taxes, Real Estate, and Residency Analysis
- 2026 NFL Draft: Every 1st Round Contract Details, Net Income & Residency Analysis
- Cam Ward’s Rookie Contract with the Tennessee Titans
- Travis Hunter’s Draft Night Tax Audit: The Real Value of His Potential Rookie Landing Spots
- Luther Burden III’s Fully Guaranteed NFL Rookie Contract
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute professional advice. APSM estimates are derived from publicly available information, tax assumptions, finance modeling, and industry-standard fee structures. Actual earnings may vary based on residency elections, private contract provisions, image/media rights agreements, bonuses, and tax filings.
