When Klint Kubiak became the coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, his reputation as a "running back by committee" play-caller preceded him. Just last year, the Silver and Black invested the No. 6 overall pick in Ashton Jeanty, though, so fans didn't know exactly how this would all sort itself out.
Early on, Kubiak stated that Jeanty needed "a wingman," but he quickly changed his tune, noting that while having a second quality running back is important, the best players need to be on the field as much as possible. And nobody is disputing that the best player in the room is Jeanty.
However, Mike Washington Jr. has brought his A game in training camp and the preseason, quieting several pre-draft concerns about him in the process. Washington Jr. is playing so well that Kubiak may need to adjust his mindset once again and let the rookie siphon some snaps from Jeanty.
Mike Washington Jr. is performing too well for Raiders not to play him
This is not an indictment or criticism of Jeanty in any way; Washington Jr. has just been that good. And let's be honest: The Raiders did Jeanty zero favors last year by playing him nearly 800 snaps and having him run the ball 266 times. He took a lot of hits that he didn't need to due to a lack of depth.
But this season, Las Vegas has a chance to lighten the load on the young player as the offensive line continues to develop, keeping Jeanty fresher and healthier throughout the season and into the later years of his rookie deal. Washington Jr. has certainly played well enough to be giving Jeanty a break.
Having a good camp is one thing, and a good joint practice or preseason splash is another. But constantly dominating the competition is a pattern, and that is what Washington Jr. has done thus far. Kubiak and the Raiders would be fools not to take advantage of that fact.
In his first-ever NFL action, Washington Jr. ran six times for 63 yards, including a 53-yard jaunt, and he proved that he can both protect the quarterback and make himself available in the passing game. He followed that up with another stellar performance.
Against the Texans, Washington Jr. ran nine times for 56 yards and added two catches for 18 yards. His pass protection was excellent, and again he busted a long run, this time turning absolutely nothing into a big 33-yard gain. This is a player who is ready to take on a role in the offense.
Nobody is saying that Washington Jr. should be the bellcow or that he and Jeanty should split things 50-50. But Washington Jr. could get every third series or come in frequently during drives to spell Jeanty, which could honestly be the best thing for both players.
Obviously, Jeanty is still young and needs to develop himself; his rookie year went nothing as he or the team and fanbase imagined. But the best thing for his career in the long-term could be rotating with another back frequently enough to limit injury opportunities in a non-contending window.
And Washington Jr. has played well enough this preseason that this should be a no-brainer for Kubiak and Co.
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