The Oakland Raiders have a decision to make on free agent running back Latavius Murray, and contrary to the opinion of most, they should bring him back.
The whirlwind that is NFL Free Agency has begun, with big names moving across the NFL landscape to new destinations. Several targets that many fans had their eyes on, such as Tony Jefferson and Micah Hyde, have been snapped up. The question is, who should the Oakland Raiders be targeting now to have the best chances of competing as a top five team next year? My first answer is to re-sign Latavius Murray.
I know what you’re thinking. Why make Latavius a priority when the front office should be focusing on using that money to improve an underperforming defense? Why worry about Murray when the Raiders have two good young backs in Jalen Richard and Deandre Washington? Why not pick up Adrian Peterson for the next two years instead?
First and foremost, unlike the three alternative backs I just mentioned, Murray is a proven commodity. There is no guarantee that Peterson will be able to recapture even some of his illustrious form two seasons ago. Multiple injuries have left the former MVP with a significant question mark lingering over his head.
It would not be fiscally prudent to let Murray walk only to sign Peterson to a heavy short term sum only to see him hit the medical room here in Oakland. Furthermore, even if Peterson remains healthy, he’s on the other side of 30, the seemingly consistent barometer of a running back’s sharp decline in production in this league. There is no guarantee of statistical success either.
With Murray, the Raiders know what and who they are getting. He’s a back capable of 1,000 yard seasons as we saw in 2015. He’s a back who is more than capable of finding pay dirt consistently throughout the season. His twelve (yes, twelve) touchdowns last season attest to that. He’s also an incredible teammate. Murray was repeatedly praised last year for his team first attitude. He didn’t blink or complain when his carries were divvied up to Washington and Richard. Rather, Murray became the Raiders power back, especially efficient near the goal line.
Murray can also be heavily relied upon in the offensive gameplan, something that can’t quite be said of Washington and Richard just yet. For example, when the Broncos travelled to Oakland in early November last season, the Raiders relied on a ground heavy attack which saw Murray rush 20 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Derek Carr didn’t throw a single touchdown pass that game, but the Raiders dominated because of Murray’s barnstorming performance on the ground.
Richard and Washington are both promising young backs, and it isn’t unrealistic to think one of them (most likely Richard) could become the full time starter in the next few years. However, their early success is no doubt partially a result of the way the two backs operate as “change of pace” runners to Murray. Their short stature, agility in tight spaces and elusiveness between the tackles is oft accentuated when it comes after Murray’s physical downhill running style. Keeping the three headed monster alive could well prove to benefit Oakland’s offense next season as Richard and Washington continue to develop and benefit under Murray.
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Lastly, one of the most telling signs that Murray is pertinent to the Raiders success is the way Derek Carr has signaled his support for the running back during the offseason. Carr was recently interviewed by ESPN, admitting that he himself has been vocal about Murray returning, stating:
"“He’s one of my best friends in the whole world..he’s a physical specimen and a great teammate.”"
In January, Carr posted a video of him working out in the Raiders facility sporting a Latavius Murray t-shirt. A subtle sign of his support for Murray.
When your franchise Quarterback wants his “best friend” running back to be resigned (one who scored 12 touchdowns last year mind you), you should probably listen.