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Las Vegas Raiders: Top-5 Running Backs in team history

By Jason Willis

LOS ANGELES, CA: Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen of the Los Angeles Raiders circa 1987 at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA: Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen of the Los Angeles Raiders circa 1987 at the Coliseum in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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3 Nov 2000: Napoleon Kaufman #26 of the Oakland Raiders carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 49-31.Mandatory Credit: JED JACOBSOHN /Allsport
3 Nov 2000: Napoleon Kaufman #26 of the Oakland Raiders carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 49-31.Mandatory Credit: JED JACOBSOHN /Allsport /

Las Vegas Raiders: Top-5 Running Backs in team history

28. . . . Napoleon Kaufman. 4. player

A first-round pick of the Raiders in 1995, Napoleon Kaufman was one of the nation’s best running backs at the University of Washington. Quickly inserted into the Oakland offense, Kaufman was not the starter until his third season. This would be his best season when he finished 1997 with 1,294 rushing yards to go along with six touchdowns.

What made Kaufman so special however was his ability to contribute in the passing game. In that same ’97 season, he would record 403 receiving yards and another two touchdowns. This would make him the perfect foil to the hard-nosed running style of Tyrone Wheatley. He would finish his Raiders career with 5,899 all-purpose yards.

Unfortunately, Kaufman would abruptly retire following the 2000 season and pursue a career in ministry. So, after just five seasons in Oakland, he would retire with 4,792 rushing yards which is good for fourth in team history. Much like Jackson, Kaufman just did not play enough seasons to be ranked higher on this list. If he had played even three more seasons, he would have easily been in the top three.

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