5 Oakland Raiders who need a big Preseason Week 1

Jalen Richard

If there is one name that has continually been mentioned throughout not only training camp, but throughout OTA’s and minicamp as well, that name has been Jalen Richard. The undrafted rookie running back out of Southern Miss has shown multiple facets of his game that can be utilized within Bill Musgrave’s offense in a bevy of ways.

The 5-8, 207 pound back no doubt has a hill to climb to get where he wants to be, however, according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Vic Tafur, “Richard has shown some wiggle and a nose for the hole, and has been lining up with the third team offense.” Ahead of Richard sits the incumbent lead back Latavius Murray and, presumably, fifth-round draft pick DeAndre Washington, not to mention the likes of Taiwan Jones, Marcel Reece and Jamize Olawale, all of whom are still around and looking for their own share of the pie.

His opportunities with the first string offense may not come in the first preseason game, but he will still get a good amount of carries to show that his offseason workouts and continual progression through training camp is no fluke. It is doubtful that Richard performs well enough in the preseason to clinch on to the No. 2 running back spot, but the No. 3 spot is very much up for grabs. There are plenty of mouths to feed and only one ball to go around, but Richard is making his case for a bid in the rotation.

Next: Menelik Watson