Just Blog Baby
FanSided

Las Vegas Raiders: Free agent running backs to backup Josh Jacobs

By Nicholas Cothrel

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals is tripped up by Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter is at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Kenyan Drake #41 of the Arizona Cardinals is tripped up by Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter is at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 15: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes up field against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at RingCentral Coliseum on December 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 15: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes up field against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at RingCentral Coliseum on December 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

The Raiders struck gold last year when they drafted JoshJacobs 24th overall. However, adding another running back in free agency this offseason would help alleviate the pressure that’s been stacked upon Jacobs’ young legs.

For the 2019 NFL season, the Oakland Raiders had the luxury of having one of the better young running backs in the league. Heading into the season, Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock constructed a roster featuring the talents of Josh Jacobs, Isaiah Crowell, Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, Doug Martin and Chris Warren, though it would be Jacobs who would be the team’s main back.

Crowell’s season was short-lived as he was placed on season ending injured reserve with a torn Achilles, and Martin and Warren were cut prior to the start of the season, rounding out the final running back corps of Jacobs, Richard and Washington.

Jacobs entered his rookie year with hefty expectations, and he lived up to the bill quite nicely. The former Alabama rusher finished his rookie campaign averaging 88.5 rushing yards per game, ranking third among NFL rushers. His performance as Gruden’s feature back hasn’t gone unnoticed as Jacobs is a top candidate for offensive rookie of the year.

While Jacobs is destined to be a large focal point among the team’s promising future, the Raiders find themselves in need of additional running backs to serve in the backup role. Richard and Washington are both set to become free agents at the start of the new league year, so looking for alternative pieces to run the rock is something the Raiders must contemplate.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News