It’s White’s time to shine in Las Vegas, but how does he compare to the other backs in the division?
The Las Vegas Raiders are moving to a running back by committee during the 2024 season while Zamir White is expected to be the lead back this fall. White had a strong finish to the 2023 campaign but he lacks experience overall, leading most people to slate him toward the bottom of the league compared to other rushers.
So, where does the Georgia product fall when ranked against running backs in the AFC West?
1. Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco has only been in the league for two years but has managed to make a name for himself in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. He’s rushed for 1,765 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry during the regular season. Last year, he flirted with the 1,000-yard mark with 935 yards on the ground while only playing in 14 games.
Part of what makes the 2022 seventh-round pick so effective is he’s good at tacking on yards after contact, averaging 3.04 YCO per attempt last season, per Pro Football Focus. It also helps that he’s been an effective receiver out of the backfield with 44 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns last season.
The combination of power running, receiving skills and production are what give Pacheco the top spot among running backs in the AFC West heading into the season.
2. Javonte Williams
If this was a ranking based on potential, Williams would hold the top spot. The Denver Broncos’ 2021 second-round pick had a strong rookie season with over 1,200 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns but has battled injuries since then.
A torn ACL kept him to just four games in year two and a hip strain forced him to exit one contest early and miss the following week last year. That’s played a part in Williams’ declining production as he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry and 48.4 yards per game in 2023.
Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images
All of that being said, the North Carolina product is still one of a few backs in the division to log over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns last season to earn the second spot on the list.
3. Gus Edwards
While many expect J.K. Dobbins to be the Los Angeles Chargers lead back this season, don’t be surprised if Edwards ends up logging the most rushing yards on the team. The latter has been productive in crowded backfields nearly every year of his career, rushing for over 700 in four out of five seasons. The lone exception came in 2022 when he participated in just nine games after starting the campaign on the PUP list.
The veteran is also coming off a season where he set career highs in rushing yards (810) and touchdowns (13) to build some momentum heading into the fall. He has experience and a good track record playing in Greg Roman’s system that could lead to a big year in Los Angeles.
4. Zamir White
As mentioned above, White had a strong showing during the final month of the season last year. His 397 rushing yards were the third most of any running back during that timeframe, and he also ranked third with 288 yards after contact, according to PFF. The 2022 fourth-round pick expects to have a career season in 2024, but the lack of production outside of those four weeks is what pushes him down the rankings.
5. J.K. Dobbins
Similar to Williams, Dobbins has shown plenty of potential in the past but injuries have significantly held his career back. Since his rookie season where he logged 805 rushing yards, nine touchdowns and six yards per carry, the former Raven has only played in nine games.
He suffered a torn ACL in 2021, then another knee injury the following year, and is now coming off a torn Achilles tendon which is a tough injury history to overcome for any player, let alone a running back. To put it simply, until Dobbins proves that he can stay healthy and be the same player he once was, it’ll be hard to move him off the No. 5 spot.
Honorable Mentions
1. Samaje Perine
2. Alexander Mattison
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire