Las Vegas Raiders: Health continues to be a concern at running back
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have a solid one-two punch at the running back spot heading into 2022, but health continues to be an issue there.
This past offseason, Kenyan Drake was brought in to be a legitimate No. 2 running back for the Las Vegas Raiders. During his first three seasons in the NFL, feature back Josh Jacobs had struggled to stay healthy, but despite that, he already has two 1,000-yard seasons to credit in his first three years.
The issue is, Jacobs always seems a bit hobbled, even though he has played in all but six games in his NFL career. Last season, Drake was supposed to minimize the wear and tear on his body, but instead, he went down with a season-ending injury, forcing the Raiders to roll with Peyton Barber at running back from time to time.
Going into 2022, issues still remain as to the health of the running back room, and it would be wise to add another body this offseason. We saw what a healthy Josh Jacobs can do for the Raiders down the stretch, looking like his Pro Bowl self, and keeping him as fresh as possible will prove large for this offense going forward.
Raiders may want to add another big back to the mix
Las Vegas should look to retain Jalen Richard this offseason, as he is entering free agency, and could play a pass-catching role within Josh McDaniels’s offense. Barber could be a good choice to bring back into the fold again in 2022, and looking at the pending free agent running backs, there are plenty of solid names out there as well.
Jacobs and Drake should be able to handle the load this season, and if you see what Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson did for the Patriots in 2021, production could be at an all-time high in terms of the position group.
All they have to do is stay off the shelf.
The likelihood is that the Raiders attempt to bring back Richard, playing him in the role that Brandon Bolden played in Josh McDaniels’s offense last season. Even with Richard returning, another big back should be brought in to spell Jacobs and Drake, hopefully keeping them healthy for another run to the playoffs.