The Oakland Raiders have a solid group of running backs in 2019, but one outlet recently ranked them in the second half of the league.
With one of their three first round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Alabama running back Josh Jacobs. Widely regarded as the best running back in the draft class, Jacobs has that three-down ability that this offense is lacking, and was not used a ton in college, meaning there is a lot of tread left on the tires.
Jacobs will head a running back group that will return plenty of familiar faces from last year’s team. While Marshawn Lynch is gone, Doug Martin was brought back for another go around in the Silver and Black, and he will once again be joined by Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington on the depth chart this Summer.
Last Summer, Chris Warren III took the NFL by storm, leading the league in rushing during the preseason, showing a nice blend of speed and power. The thought was that he would get the chance to fight for a starting job this season, but with the addition of Jacobs, he is going to have to try and latch on in a reserve role.
Overall, this is a nice group of backs, and this past week, when SB Nation ranked the best collection of talent on each team, the Raiders fell in the middle of the pack. Overall, Oakland was named as having the No. 17 best group of running backs, ranking right behind the Le’Veon Bell-led New York Jets.
Fellow Bay Area team, the San Francisco 49ers, were ranked at No. 1, as they added Tevin Coleman to an already solid group this offseason. The New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears rounded out the top-5.
While Jacobs should start, Richard will be featured at times, as he looked to be one of the better pass-catching running backs in the league last season. Martin served as the team’s feature back when Lynch went out due to injury, and Washington had a smaller role.
Looking at the depth chart, Washington and Warren are going to have to battle to make this roster, and it will be an interesting battle this Summer. As a whole, this is a very talented group, and if Jacobs is the real deal, Oakland should have no problem eating yards up on the ground.
Outside of the backs, the Raiders offensive line is also improved, which should help them in a big way when it comes to the running game. If Richie Incognito is right mentally, and physically, he gives the Raiders a solid trio in the trenches alongside Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson.
The addition of Trent Brown also makes this team a lot better at the offensive tackle position in 2019.
This is a list that is certain to change once the season gets rolling, because you know Jon Gruden is going to do wonders with a talent like Jacobs. He is a guy that many believe could challenge for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and if that happens, this group would have had one heck of a first season together.