What the Las Vegas Raiders rushing attack looks like at full health
Kenyan Drake and Jalen Richard
Drake figures to return to his role of a joker or gadget player for Gruden. Gruden was very excited to sign Drake because of everything he can do. Drake has been a traditional running back in the past, but with the Raiders, he has operated as a hybrid player.
Drake will likely continue lining up wide and being a check-down option for Derek Carr. He has been very productive in the pass-catching role, and with Jacobs back, Gruden can open up the playbook for all of the plays he had scripted for originally Lynn Bowden Jr. and now Drake.
The Drake signing has been criticized heavily because of the price tag and the presence of Jacobs and Richard. Through the first 3 games, the criticism has been warranted and Gruden will likely be motivated to prove his signing was a good one.
Richard will return to his role as one of the top third-down backs in the league. It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw Drake and Richard on the field together plenty as they are both great route runners.
I wrote about Richard’s return last week, but essentially, his blitz pick-up and the confidence that Carr and Gruden have in him will keep him on the field on 3rd down. Richard is also a locker room and fan favorite who adds juice to the offense.