One of the most puzzling selections that the Raiders made during the 2022 NFL Draft was picking Georgia RB Zamir White early in Day 3. The Raiders have Josh Jacobs under contract and they brought in multiple running backs this offseason, including Brandon Bolden, Ameer Abdullah and Brittain Brown (draft pick).
But is there a chance that the Raiders view White as more than just a complementary player and someone that could handle a big workload?
In a recent article by Vic Tafur at The Athletic, he believes there is a chance that White could be the opening day starter for the 2023 season. Here is a snippet of his thoughts on the team’s fourth-round pick:
“(White) can sidestep tackles or run through them and has the home-run speed to take it to the house. The Raiders took him in the fourth round a day after they declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Josh Jacobs’ contract. GM Dave Ziegler was schooled in the Patriots’ way, and they don’t believe in paying running backs much. So, there is a good chance White is the Raiders’ starting RB in 2023.”
Over the last three years at Georgia, White has never been a workhorse back. The most touches he received in a season was during the 2021 season, as he had 169 touches in 15 games (11.2 touches per game). He just hasn’t been asked to be that type of player during his collegiate career.
White is a violent runner who does have some Josh Jacobs to his game. So is it possible that he could eventually replace him in the starting lineup? That remains to be seen. But look for him to be the team’s No. 3 running back during the 2022 season and the primary backup to Jacobs.