Las Vegas Raiders: 10 free agent running backs and their fit
Las Vegas Raiders: 10 free agent running backs and their fit
James White. 2. player. 47. . RB. New England Patriots
James White is the definition of a third-down running back. White has been in the league for seven seasons, all with the New England Patriots, and has topped 90 carries just once during that span in 2018.
For the rest of his career, he has been closer to 30-40 carries but has done plenty of damage through the air.
White has 369 receptions for 3,184 and 25 touchdowns in 92 games, including a rookie season when he played in just three games and was on the field for just 31 snaps. He was an incredible weapon for the Patriots in the screen game and was a monster in the legendary 28-3 comeback in Super Bowl LI, as he notched 14 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown.
So it’s clear that White would provide another dimension to the Raiders’ offense as Josh Jacobs has yet to prove he can make a huge impact in the passing game. If the Raiders were to pursue White, it would most certainly be at the expense of Jalen Richard, as he has been the de facto receiving back before the 2020 season.
White is a smaller back at 5’10”, 205lbs, so he certainly does not fit the mold of a big back that Jon Gruden likes to carry on his roster, so signing him would have to be part of a corresponding move to bring in a power-back as well. The fit is not perfect but White’s ability to gash teams as a receiver and his reliable hands make him an intriguing possible addition to the Raiders’ offense.