After turning in the worst rushing offense in the NFL for two consecutive seasons, it feels a bit odd to say that the Las Vegas Raiders may have an embarrassment of riches at the running back position. But the 2026 NFL preseason has revealed that this may, in fact, be the case for the Silver and Black.
Ashton Jeanty is the undisputed star and No. 1 running back, but Mike Washington Jr. is also looking more and more capable of a serious role every time he steps on the field. Third-year pro Dylan Laube also made a major statement in Thursday's game that he is this team's RB3, or at least a roster lock.
At the end of the room, veteran Dare Ogunbowale and promising UDFA Roman Hemby have also put out solid film during the two-game exhibition slate. With the Raiders keeping a fullback, though, there just isn't room for five halfbacks to stick around, at least not on the active 53-man roster.
Hemby looks like the odd man out.
Roman Hemby could be victim of much improved Raiders RB room
Jeanty only played the first series of the preseaon, and he's been on the sidelines with the starters otherwise. Spot secured. Washington Jr. has enjoyed outings of six carries for 63 yards and nine carries for 56 yards, and he's broken two big plays while helping in the pass game. Spot also secured.
Laube had a mediocre showing in the opener, but he ran six times for 37 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans in preseason game two and also caught a 14-yard pass out of the backfield. His night was over before Ogunbowale or Hemby even played. So, spot secured.
The question, really, comes down to how Las Vegas wants to fill out the end of its room. Ogunbowale was a late signing, yes, but he is a special teams ace, a captain-esque leader, and a veteran presence in the room. He also knows John Spytek from his time with the Tampa Bay Bucs, which doesn't hurt.
Plus, he ran four times for 35 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown, down in Houston last Thursday. Hemby didn't even play poorly, notching 27 rushing yards on six carries (4.5 yards per rush) and he caught a three-yard pass out of the backfield. That is solid production for a UDFA.
But the problem for Hemby is that he hasn't produced as much as Laube or Ogunbowale. And with Jeanty and Washington Jr. certain to eat up all the carries, Hemby has to distinguish himself in another way, like being a great pass-catcher or special teamer. He hasn't done that yet.
Considering both Laube and Ogunbowale are good pass-catching backs, hold up well in pass protection and have experience playing a variety of spots on special teams, they are the frontrunners to make this roster on cutdown day. Hemby may be headed for the waiver wire.
In a perfect world, Hemby clears waivers and returns to the practice squad. But unless he distinguishes himself in practice this week or in the preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers, he may be on the outside looking in, with the Raiders hoping he can find his way back.
Too many useful running backs and not enough spots? That's a good problem for Las Vegas to have. One they're not used to having.
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