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Examining the Raiders RBs corps vs coverage in the 2022 AFC West

By Justin Gordon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 20: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders stiff arms Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #28 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 20, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 20: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders stiff arms Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #28 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 20, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kenyan Drake #23 of the Las Vegas Raiders in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 07, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Raiders 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kenyan Drake #23 of the Las Vegas Raiders in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 07, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Raiders 23-16. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Examining the Raiders RBs corps vs coverage in the 2022 AFC West

Raiders Running Backs

In the NFL, every matchup counts. There are always 11 battles on the football field every given play, you’ve got to win yours. Having a running back or a reliable group of backs adds an additional element that gets defensive coordinators hot.

Overall, this unit ranks 17th according to Sharp Football Analysis. We will start with fourth-year back Josh Jacobs, who set career-highs in 2021 in receptions (54) and yards (348). Only four other running backs in the NFL caught more passes than Jacobs last season. Jacobs played in 15 games last season and recorded at least one catch in all 15. Jacobs’ knock is a lack of big-play ability, as evidenced by the goose egg in the touchdown reception column.

Fellow Alabama alum Kenyan Drake hauled in 30 catches for 291 yards and one score that was cut short due to a season-ending injury. Since he entered the NFL in 2016, Drake has proven his versatility out of the backfield by recording 199 catches for 1,535 yards, placing him inside the top 20 in running back receiving statistics in the last five years.

Now factor in 10-year veteran Brandon Bolden, a transplant from New England with the new regime in LV. 2021 was a year to remember for Bolden as he went dumb out the backfield averaging nearly 10 yards per reception. Bolden shattered his previous records in catches (41), and yards (405). He even added two scores, but overall, his career numbers place him lower than Drake. The good news is that has little effect on whether or not Bolden has success this fall.

Fourth-round pick Zamir White out of Georgia is likely in the mix as well, but it will be interesting to see how his pass-catching ability develops as a professional. Over his three seasons in Athens, White hauled in 17 catches in 38 career games for 132 yards.

Other RBs:

  • Ameer Abdullah: Talented 8-year veteran that can do-it-all. Career receiving stats: 19 catches for 865 yards and seven TDs.
  • Brittain Brown: Rookie from UCLA drafted in the seventh round. College receiving stats: 41 catches for 431 yards and two TDs
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