Raiders: Running back room should flourish under Josh McDaniels

The Las Vegas Raiders have a solid running back duo in Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake, and they could be in for a big year in 2022.

Last year, Kenyan Drake was brought into the Raiders franchise as a free agent and was expected to be the perfect RB2 to star running back Josh Jacobs. Instead, injuries ruined his first season with the Silver and Black, and he is someone who could be on the roster bubble going into next season.

However, looking at what new head coach Josh McDaniels was able to do during his time in New England, Las Vegas would be wise to hang onto both running backs for the 2022 campaign. Last year, McDaniels was able to utilize a rookie back in Rhamondre Stevenson and veteran Damien Harris to combine for over 1,500 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.

That is the kind of production that could go a long way in terms of this Raiders offense being downright scary next season, and he was also able to use Brandon Bolden, a third running back incredibly well in the passing game.

Raiders offense could be elite in 2022

When looking at the talent on the Raiders that is under contract for 2022, Jacobs and Drake could certainly fill the role of Harris and Stevenson, but a third back is going to be needed in that Bolden role. Jalen Richard is a free agent this offseason, and if the Raiders think he could fit in that role, they could bring him back on a new contract.

In fact, Richard would be perfect in that role, as he was one of the better pass-catching running backs in the NFL only a few years ago. During the 2018 season, Richard was targeted 81 times in the passing game, hauling in 68 balls for over 600 yards.

Las Vegas Raiders are in their best position to succeed in years

With such big changes occurring recently for the Las Vegas Raiders, the win-now motto is officially in motion, which is a breath of fresh air.

The lack of a true deep threat could end up hurting this Raiders team, so that is something that this front office needs to target in the 2022 offseason. If they can shore that up, and bolster the offensive line a bit, McDaniels will have more than enough weapons to make the Raiders one of the elite offenses in football when all is said and done.