Resetting the Las Vegas Raiders biggest needs heading into Day 2 of draft
By Evan Groat
Running Back
Some may argue if this is truly a need, but outside of Josh Jacobs, who battled a shoulder injury issue late in the 2019 season, there isn’t much behind him on the depth chart. DeAndre Washington signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency leaving Jalen Richard and Rod Smart as the only real options.
We saw only one running back go off the board in round one, the class is deep and talented and the Raiders should look to take advantage of that. I expect to see some of the top names called early in round two.
Cam Akers, Florida State
Teaming Josh Jacobs up with Cam Akers would be a deadly combo for defenses. Akers is dynamic, he possess the same ability to make defenders miss in the open field as Jacobs, and knows how to finish a run, also like Jacobs.
His toughness can’t be questioned, as in 2019 he ran behind one of the worst lines in all of college football and still managed to go for over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. In 2018, played through a nagging ankle injury and earned the team’s Bobby Bowden leadership award.
Zach Moss, Utah
Looking for some thunder for Josh Jacobs lightening? Well Zack Moss is your guy. Moss is built like a bowling ball (5’9-223 pounds) and uses that size to punish defenders. Although there are some concerns with his durability having missed three games his freshman season and five games his junior season there is no denying the production in four seasons at Utah.
He leaves Utah as the school’s all time leading rusher with 4,067, touchdowns (38), and 100-yard rushing games (19).
Antonio Gibson
The Raiders have made it clear that getting faster is one of their main objectives, if that is the case, Antonio Gibson should be an option. Gibson offers a unique skill set with the ability to play in the slot as a receiver, as a running back, and on special teams.
Speaking of unique it’s not often you have a guy 6-foot-3 inches, 225 pounds who runs a 4.39. Putting Henry Ruggs III and Gibson on the field together would although Jon Gruden to get extremely creative in his play design and would give the offense the speed to compete with the Chiefs.