Raiders Mandatory Minicamp 2014: Storylines to follow

December 21, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; UCF Knights running back Latavius Murray (28) runs with the ball as Ball State Cardinals linebacker Travis Freeman (8) defends during the first quarter of the St. Petersburg Beef

Running backs: Who will fill in behind MJD/DMC? 

General manager Reggie McKenzie opted to go with experience at the running back position during free agency, bringing in local star Maurice Jones-Drew after the Jacksonville Jaguars opted to not bring back their former star rusher to join up with Darren McFadden who resigned with the team on the cheap after 2013 standout Rashad Jennings left to play for the New York Giants leaving the team with two former promising stars with considerable durability concerns.

That means that the Raiders third running back position could be vital as the team will need a player (or two) in case of emergency this season even if fullback Marcel Reece could likely play running back if needed. Luckily for the Raiders they have two very interesting candidates to watch as 2013 draft pick Latavius Murray  is returning from an IR spell in his rookie season and 2013 Grey Cup MVP Kory Sheets looks to crack the 53 man roster after turning into a superstar in Canada over the past two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Both running backs provide excitement for various reasons, Sheets with his experience and Murray with his upside advantage. Murray will enter minicamp as the heavy favorite to make the team as the younger option with less mileage, but if the Raiders can get Sheets adjusted to the NFL after his departure to Canada rejuvenated not only his career but also his NFL stock there could be an underrated platoon out of the foursome.