5 Oakland Raiders free agents who will return in 2019
By Brad Weiss
Jalen Richard, Running Back
The Oakland Raiders have a lot to think about when it comes to the running back position in 2019, as they have three backs that are entering free agency. Marshawn Lynch, Doug Martin, and Jalen Richard will all see their contract with the team expire this offseason, and there is a very small likelihood that they will all be back.
While Martin and Lynch are in their 30s, Richard is certainly not, and he showed in 2018 that he can be one of the better pass-catching running backs in the league. Jon Gruden’s offense needs this kind of player if it is going to run the right way, so the expectation is that Richard will be back in 2019.
Richard has had his issues with the fumbles over the course of his NFL career, but he has become such an important part of this Raiders offense. Look for Gruden to lock him up to at least a three-year deal, as he is still very young, and seems to just be hitting his peak in his young NFL career.