How free agency impacts each Las Vegas Raiders position group
By Matt Holder
Running Backs
There hasn’t been much news surrounding Las Vegas’ running backs this offseason. Jalen Richard inked a two-year $7 million extension and Rod Smith re-signed on a one-year deal. Both guys are depth transactions as Richard projects to fill the receiving or third-down back role, and Smith is primarily a special teamer who has a chance to compete for the third spot in the rotation.
With Josh Jacobs serving as the starter, the Raiders don’t really need to prioritize adding another running back. However, the team has been looking for big power back to take some of the pressure off the emerging star since about the midway point of last season. It looks like the mid to late rounds of the draft will end the year-long search and said player will battle it out with Smith for playing time and/or a roster spot.
Offensive Line
Similar to running backs, Las Vegas was fairly quiet when it came to offensive linemen. Last year’s sixth-man, if you will, Denzelle Good signed a one-year $2.5 million contract extension and the team brought in another interior offensive lineman in Eric Kush. As the roster currently stands, both players project to be backups with Good serving as the first man off the bench in the event of an injury.
There was buzz that Gabe Jackson was on the trading block, but nothing ever came to fruition and he remains on the roster. He can still be dealt to free up $9.6 million in cap space, in which case the organization will likely spend a mid to late-round pick to replace the six-year starter. Until then, the offensive line appears to be set in stone.