Las Vegas Raiders: Top-5 2021 offseason additions

Las Vegas Raiders: Top-5 2021 offseason additions

5. Kenyan Drake – Running Back

The Raiders surprised us all with the addition of former Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake. Many expected them to find a cheaper option to replace the departed Devontae Booker but they opted for the splash addition of Drake.

It was not just the decision to bring Drake in that lead to the doubts and questions, but rather the amount of money the Raiders are paying him. Drake signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Raiders which makes him one of the most expensive running back additions this offseason.

The Raiders have a superstar running back in Josh Jacobs and many wondered why they would devote this much money to a position that is decreasing in importance in the NFL. Most of the money in the contract is in 2022 where the salary cap is expected to go up and they will still have Jacobs and 3 of their 4 top receiving options on a rookie deal so it is not as big a deal as it has been made out to be.

The Raiders know what Jacobs is capable of but want to do their best to reduce the wear and tear on his body especially late in the season. Bringing in Drake allows them to do that without having a substantial drop-off in talent in the backfield. Jacobs has missed time in both of his seasons so far and this move should help extend his career and keep him fresh

Aside from helping Jacobs, Drake is A talented running back that the Raiders reportedly plan to use all over the field as a running back and receiver. Gruden plans to do this with Lynn Bowden but the demands of learning a new position were too much for the former quarterback. Now he has his true Joker in the form of Drake which should lead to plenty of fun new wrinkles in the Raiders offense.