Josh Jacobs had a hell of a season last year…for the Packers. Meanwhile the Raiders were floundering with Zamir White and Alexander Mattison as the starting running back. They got some decent play late in the season from undrafted Sincere McCormick and journeyman veteran Ameer Abdullah, but that’s not gonna cut it.
Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly both love to run the ball. Carroll in particular has had some great running backs carry the rock for his offenses over the years. Most notably Beast Mode Marshawn Lynch who he rode to two trips to the Super Bowl and a Lombardi Trophy. And the moment Marshawn wasn’t given the ball when he should have been was the moment they saw the second Lombardi slip through their fingers.
You can bet Carroll will be making running back a priority.
The draft appears packed with talent at the position. Making a lot of teams consider holding off to address the position until then. And while the Raiders absolutely should partake in that, they should also bulk up the position in free agency. Especially considering the strong draft class should help lower the price of a somewhat weak free agent class.
Here are the top five free agent running backs for the Raiders needs.