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Oakland Raiders: 5 running backs to target in 2018 free agency

By John Buhler

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde No. 28 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle by Samson Ebukam No. 50 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde No. 28 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle by Samson Ebukam No. 50 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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player. 47. . RB. New England Patriots. Dion Lewis. 3

One of the biggest names to be hitting free agency as a running back is Dion Lewis of the New England Patriots. While his first two years in the league out of Pittsburgh with the Philadelphia Eagles were forgettable, Lewis has been a model of consistency for the Patriots’ running attack for the last year and a half.

He could re-up with New England this offseason, but the Patriots do have several great players already on their roster hitting free agency as well, including wide receiver Danny Amendola, defensive end James Harrison and left tackle Nate Solder. Could Lewis get lost in the shuffle? Would Bill Belichick part ways with Lewis and be able to recreate him in the aggregate?

That is totally in play. While Lewis may need the New England system to be an above-average NFL player, he does have a versatile skill set that would translate wonderfully to the Oakland backfield. Lewis had 896 rushing yards for six touchdowns, as well as 32 catches for 214 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. Though not a bell-cow back, Lewis could be a huge third-down weapon for the Silver and Black in 2018.

For whatever reason, Lewis feels like a guy that Gruden would want on his football team. If the Raiders could land any free agent running back with a New England background, they might jump at that. Normally, the Patriots have a bunch of no-name backs, but Lewis will be one of the five best tailbacks hitting free agency this spring. However, he’s not worth paying a premium for on the open market.

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