The Las Vegas Raiders have a slight need at running back heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, and we take a look at the position group heading into Thursday.
The Raiders made a splash in the 2019 NFL Draft by selecting Alabama’s Josh Jacobs in the first round and he went on to have a season worthy of rookie of the year consideration. In fact, Jacobs won the Pro Football Writers Association Rookie of the Year award but the NFL’s official award was given to Arizona’s Kyler Murray.
In addition to Jacobs, who had one of the best years by a Raiders running back ever, the Silver and Black got great contributions from the dynamic duo of veterans DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. Washington stepped into the starting role while Jacobs was out with a shoulder injury and came through with some admirable performances.
Richard on the other hand was not counted on as the starter but was a weapon out of the backfield for Derek Carr and the Raiders offense. Both backs had similar receiving numbers but Washington far outgained Richard on the ground and was used as a short yardage and goal line back from time to time.
On the list of needs for the Raiders coming in to the 2020 offseason the running back position might be at the bottom of the list but there is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to adding a bit of versatility to the backfield.