Raiders 2022 roster: Will Ameer Abdullah make the 53-man?
By Preston Seyl
The possibility of the Las Vegas Raiders keeping running back Ameer Abdullah is more evident after releasing Kenyan Drake.
Since the release of Kenyan Drake, the RB3 doop has reopened, as Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden are making their push to be the RB3 or even share the role depending on the call or down. Josh McDaniels looks like he’s going to go with a committee approach at the running back position, which at this time looks like a good choice based on whos available to him.
Abdullah and Bolden were taking turns at the RB3 in joint practices with the New England Patriots. We all know that Josh Jacobs will be the primary ball handler, and Zamir White looks locked in at the RB2 with his progression through the offseason and performances in preseason games.
White will Likely be the short-yardage bell cow due to his size and strength that is his best skill set is to run between the tackles, not so good in the passing game but a physical runner like Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson with the Patriots last year.
Raiders RB Ameer Abdullah is elusive in the passing game
Not only does Abdullah bring pass catching out of the backfield to this offense, but he is also a specialist when it comes to the special teams in the return game. He posted a grade of 73.9 in the receiving game in 2021 with the Panthers per PFF, had 48 targets, and came down with 38 receptions leading to 289 receiving yards.
With his opportunities in the passing game, Abdullah makes the most out of his targets,
Both deserve a spot on the 53-man roster, as they both bring specific skill sets that the Raiders can utilize to keep defenses off balance, and this offense is very efficient in both the passing game and running game.
Abdullah hasn’t seen the field much in the last few years, but can be effective in the run game as well in the passing game, and coupled with the likes of Jacobs, White, and Bolden, could be in for one of the more productive seasons we have seen from him in quite some time. He just has to make the team first.