Ranking the 2021 AFC West RBs: Where do the Las Vegas Raiders rank

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Oct 25, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Ranking the 2021 AFC West RBs: Where do the Las Vegas Raiders rank

1. Las Vegas Raiders

This is a no-brainer, as the Las Vegas Raiders might not just have the best backfield in the AFC West, but the NFL as a whole. Leading the line is Josh Jacobs who is coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and a Pro Bowl second year, where he totaled 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns.

Jacobs is one of the best backs in the NFL, is still just 23 years old, and has a real shot to be the leading rusher in team history when all is said and done.

Behind Jacobs we have the man who generated much controversy when he signed with the Raiders in Kenyan Drake. The pundits, and Gruden critics, felt the Raiders overpaid for Drake’s services when they added him to the backfield but the team sees him as a weapon all over the field and not just a backup running back.

Drake came up 45 yards short of a 1,000-yard season in 2020, but he now has three seasons with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in his career, which speaks to his versatility as a runner and receiver. The former Alabama running back will play the “joker” role in Gruden’s offense, and gives the Raiders a true starter to plug in case of injury to Josh Jacobs.

Behind Jacobs the Raiders have two backs in Jalen Richard and Theo Riddick who are great third down backs, and would be clear backups on most teams but will be competing for third string in Las Vegas. Adding another talented back to the mix seems like overkill, but the Raiders have a dynamic fullback in Alec Ingold, who is an excellent lead blocker but also has great receiving skills for the position.

Next. Ranking the 2021 AFC West QBs: Where do the Las Vegas Raiders rank. dark

The Raiders have one of the deepest backfields in the NFL, and the case could be made that they have the best group from top to bottom in the league. The NFL seems to be devaluing running backs every year, but the success of teams like Minnesota, Tennessee, Cleveland, and New Orleans in recent years show that the position can still impact games.

The Raiders will be hoping that their talented group can help set the pace for the offense and lead them to the postseason.

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