Oakland Raiders: 53-Man roster projection
By Austin Gayle
August 30, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Alex Okafor (57) during the second quarter in a preseason NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back
Starter: Latavius Murray
No. 2: Roy Helu Jr.
No. 3: Michael Dyer
Latavius Murray’s role in Oakland’s offense was still being determined after the 2014 season, as he started just three games in 2014, but he has performed well throughout the offseason and it has turned into solid production on the field.
Though Murray couldn’t seem to get it going against Arizona in Oakland’s third preseason game, in Week’s 1 and 2 Murray showed great vision and solid explosiveness through the hole. The former UCF Knight earned 55 yards and a touchdown on just two carries in the Raider’s first two preseason games.
With Trent Richardson out of the picture, veteran running back Roy Helu Jr. is the likely candidate to claim the backup running back spot behind Murray. Though Helu missed the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury, he flashed enough talent in Week 3 to at least put him the conversation.
Helu carried the ball four times for eight yards, while also bringing in two receptions for 14 yards against Arizona on Sunday.
Undrafted Free Agent Michael Dyer has had more of a chance to prove himself throughout the first three preseason games, as he had a decent amount of success against Minnesota in Week 2, but Helu is simply the more experienced back overall.
Though the depth behind Murray doesn’t look good on paper, Helu and Dyer could still have a significant impact in 2015.
Next: Oakland Raiders Roster Projections: Wide Receiver