Las Vegas Raiders: 3 offensive gambles that must pay off in 2021

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Jan 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) reacts in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders: 3 offensive gambles that must pay off in 2021

Paying so much money to Kenyan Drake

The Las Vegas Raiders have an elite running back in Josh Jacobs, one who made his first Pro Bowl in 2020, and someone who has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his first two years in the NFL. However, we have seen Jacobs struggle down the stretch since he came into the league, and it is clear that the Raiders needed to bring in someone who can be a legitimate RB2 this season.

They found their player in the person of Kenyan Drake, someone who has had modest success at the NFL level, and can both run the ball, and be effective in the passing game. Drake is actually a perfect complement to Jacobs, and as the NFL moves to a 17-game schedule, the hope is that Jacobs will be ready for a possible playoff push late in the year.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: An Oakland Raiders helmet on the field before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

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The only real issue with bringing in Drake was how much money the organization paid him, and it will be interesting to see if the investment pays off in 2021. If Jacobs gets hurt or needs to be rested down the stretch, the Raiders have an answer for those two problems, but paying that much money is a gamble that needs to pay off.

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