Las Vegas Raiders: Player with most to prove at each offensive position in 2021

Las Vegas Raiders: Player with most to prove at each offensive position in 2021

Running Back: Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake was the surprise addition to the Raiders offense this offseason as the team shelled out $11 million over two years for the services of the former Alabama star. Drake joins his fellow former Bama back Josh Jacobs to form one of the better duos at the running back position in the NFL.

Aside from Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb it may even be the best duo at the position in the league.

The surprising aspect of the move is that the Raiders were expected to be on the hunt for a cheap backup to Jacobs but instead gave Drake one of the bigger contracts handed out to a running back this offseason. The fact that the majority of the contract is for next season when the cap is expected to increase takes some of that sting away but Jacobs’ minimal contract also helps as well.

Between Drake and Jacobs, the running back position will count for about $4.5 million towards the cap in 2021 and $10 million in 2022. Not bad for potentially the second-best RB duo in the NFL. What Drake has to prove of course is that he is worth this kind of money and that he can offer something that Jacobs has been unable to as a reliable receiving threat.

Gruden has often talked about wanting a “Joker” on offense that can line up all over the field and he has that now in Drake. He also has a starting-caliber running back that can help take some of the wear and tear off Jacobs’ shoulders, both literally and figuratively.

We already know that Jacobs is a superstar in the making but there will be plenty of doubters for this Drake signing until proven otherwise.