Room To Run? Raiders Embrace Back By Committee -

In shifting to a committee approach, expect 2022 to be an interesting year for the Raiders and the running back position.

With the Las Vegas Raiders leaving Josh Jacobs’ future up in the air, the team also stirs up questions regarding the running back room. The Raiders enjoyed Josh Jacobs’ talents for the last three seasons. He tallied 3,087 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. However, they do not seem too intent to extend him after the 2022 season. As confusing as it may be, this tends to be typical for running backs not meeting “superstar” quality.

No Need For A Workhorse

With the NFL considering passing to be the most efficient method of downfield movement, running backs tend to be viewed as replaceable. Not to mention, Jacobs does not exactly fit the pass-catching back role the Raiders may be looking for. Hence the Kenyan Drake acquisition.

Around Full Press Coverage

OPINION: Arians: Why Bucs’ Ring of Honor Means “More to Me’ Than Canton

NFL: What’s Next For Chiefs And Orlando Brown Jr.?

NFL: NFL Rumors: Ndamukong Suh, Sean Payton, Sunday Ticket

FULL PRESS BETS: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored

NHL: Flyers’ Free-Agency Moves Further Alienate A Disgruntled Fanbase

Ep 114: Aaron Rodgers, OBJ, and The New York Jets
by Full Press Coverage on March 25, 2023 at 12:09 am

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots

The Rise Of Zeus

While the two were already starting to split time, the Raiders drafting of Zamir White added more uncertainty (and confusion) to the running back room. White receives power-back comparisons (i.e. Joe Mixon) which put him closer to a Josh Jacobs type than a Kenyan Drake-style player. In college, White was by no means a do-it-all back as he recorded a mere seventeen receptions through his thirty-seven games at Georgia. Being the one proven pass-catching back in a room of “true” running backs must eliminate any questions of Drake’s value to the team, but it is unclear whether or not the situation provides an opportunity for Jacobs to continue suiting up for the Silver and Black in future seasons.

Cap Friendly Approach

Should the Raiders move forward with White, it may signal their intention to continue using a run-prioritized back while keeping the cap space light. The Raiders’ lack of desire to extend Jacobs could also point to Drake earning time as a three-down back, but drafting White in the fourth round may indicate otherwise.

Season Of Change?

Jacobs has never expressed anything but love for the Raiders and has even gone as far as getting emotional on the sidelines when he was scratched from the game due to injury. The fourth-year back has mostly been a breath of fresh air for the team that has not seen reliability in a back since Latavius Murrary’s stint, and letting him walk would be a bit shocking. It would be equally shocking to discover that Jacobs does not have the trade value to make him worth resigning. Running backs can have long careers in the NFL. Also, considering his minimal amount of games missed, Jacobs appears to be a long-term back. Extending his “cheaper” contract would make him more favorable for a trade.

What Tomorrow Brings

The possibilities for Jacobs’ future are clearly quite open. Although the Raiders may have made their plans clear to him while keeping them quiet. But, at some point, the Raiders will have to show their hand. It does not appear that Jacobs will be immediately thrown by the wayside for White. Yet, playing time and total touches throughout the year will be a clear indicator.