Reviewing the Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft

Round 5, Pick 143: DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech

Running back has become one of the most consistently undervalued positions in the draft, with many players who become starters or productive members of backfield tandems being selected late in drafts. The Raiders ostensible starting running back, Latavius Murray, was a 6th round selection, for example. So the Raiders waited until round five – when there was still a plethora of running back talent to be found – to take one.

The Raiders may have hit a real home run in the selection of Washington. Washington was one of college football’s best backs last season, averaging roughly 6.4 yards per carry on his way to 1,492 rushing yards and 14 TDs. Over his last two years at pass-happy Texas Tech, Washington carried the ball over 400 times and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He also caught 71 passes for over 700 yards and four scores in that time frame.

Washington is a small man at 5’8″ and just over 200 pounds, not dissimilar to Darren Sproles or the great Barry Sanders. While Washington doesn’t have Sproles’ otherworldly speed, he is very fast, but with the quick change-of-direction and balance that might remind some of Sanders. While he prefers to compare himself to recent Raider Maurice Jones-Drew, he may not have the raw strength that MJD had in his compact frame. He can be an effective receiver out of the backfield, a nice change-of-pace back, and could also contribute as a return man this season. Look for him to amass really nice all-purpose yardage numbers in Silver and Black.