Context:

Ashton Jeanty, a first-round draft pick for the Las Vegas Raiders, was one of several NFL prospects targeted by prank calls on draft night, where he received a call falsely claiming he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Despite the prank, Jeanty was officially selected by the Raiders, a team he viewed as a favorable option, although he had long dreamed of playing for the Cowboys due to his ties to Frisco, Texas. The prank epidemic affected multiple players, including Shedeur Sanders, whose prank call was orchestrated by the son of the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator. This prompted a significant fine for the Falcons organization and the coordinator. Jeanty expressed his excitement about joining the Raiders, believing the team has strong potential for the upcoming season, which aligns with analysts' views on his potential impact with the team.

Dive Deeper:

• Ashton Jeanty, recently drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, was subjected to a prank call on draft night, misleading him to believe he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, a team he admired since childhood. He expressed disbelief and promptly ended the call, later sharing this experience on a podcast.

• Jeanty's affinity for the Cowboys stems from his upbringing in Frisco, Texas, where he played high school football in their practice stadium, and he had previously expressed that joining the Cowboys would be a dream come true.

• The prank call was part of a larger pattern affecting many NFL prospects, including Shedeur Sanders, who received a call from the son of the Atlanta Falcons' defensive coordinator, leading to fines for the Falcons and the coordinator.

• Despite the prank, Jeanty was officially picked by the Raiders as the sixth overall selection, a choice he considers the next best option to playing for the Cowboys, and he remains optimistic about the Raiders' prospects for the upcoming season.

• NFL analysts suggest that Jeanty could significantly contribute to making the Raiders playoff-bound, highlighting his potential role in enhancing the team's performance next season.