Oakland Raiders: How will Elijah Hood pan out through preseason?

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie may have picked up another late-round gem at running back. How should the team handle Elijah Hood?

The Oakland Raiders‘ imminent move to Las Vegas brought running back Marshawn Lynch out of retirement. In his first press conference as a member of the team, he made his intention clear. It’s bigger than football when putting on the silver and black jersey (per Raiders.com):

"I mean, it’s always been something, being from Oakland, you want to play at home. I had the opportunity. Maybe them staying probably wouldn’t have been so big for me to want to come play.With me being from here, continuing to be here, gives them an opportunity — they get to see someone that actually did it, from where they’re from and for the team they probably idolize."

The front office didn’t stop adding players at running back. General manager Reggie McKenzie selected Elijah Hood, the second drafted ball-carrier during the executive’s tenure, in the seventh round.

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Ironically, Hood comes into the league with a similar run style and the same birthday as Beast Mode. The North Carolina product also watched Lynch as an example when coming through the collegiate ranks. When the Raiders drafted him, he talked about his raw emotions, per San Jose Mercury News reporter Jimmy Durkin.

"I’m shedding tears right now. It’s amazing. I have nothing but work ahead of me and I can’t wait to do it.Marshawn Lynch, growing up watching him play, honestly as a runner, that’s one of the running backs I try to model my game after the most,” Hood said. “Beast Mode. I just can’t wait to be in that running back room with him."

Despite the parallels and the desire to absorb everything from Lynch in the film room and practice field, Hood isn’t a guarantee to make the 53-man roster in September. Nonetheless, he’s shown enough talent that teams may attempt to sign him to their active rosters from the Raiders’ practice squad.

Many feel it’s inevitable that another club immediately swipes the North Carolina product off the practice squad — not so fast. The league just inherited a strong running back class. Injuries would factor into the demand for a potential short-yardage back.

MMQB’s Albert Breer put the spotlight on Hood during rookie minicamp, pointing out the 220-pound running back as someone to watch during training camp. Optimists have jumped the gun. The seventh-rounder has yet to hit the practice field with pads on, but he’s labeled a must-sign if he makes the practice squad.

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Lynch probably won’t take a single carry during the preseason. DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard and Hood will have the stage as running backs. The North Carolina product will also need to show kick coverage ability to potentially push Taiwan Jones out of a roster spot.

Hood’s 1,463 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a sophomore on the collegiate level show exactly what he’s capable of on the field. He missed a few games and shared the backfield with T.J. Logan, who went to the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round, during his final year as a Tar Heel. Nonetheless, the Raiders rookie finished as the more productive ball-carrier in rushing yards and touchdowns.

Hood has the ability to earn a roster spot outright through his preseason play. If he’s too talented to place on the practice squad, someone will get the ax to keep Lynch’s understudy in the fold.

Beast Mode looks primed and ready to flourish in a three-man backfield on refreshed legs, but an injury or an unexpected rough patch could thrust Hood into action if he’s on the active roster. Despite all the fan fare, the Raiders have to carefully prepare the position in case Lynch isn’t the powerful back we’re all used to seeing on the field.

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Of course, a poor showing during training camp or preseason would land Hood on the streets. On the other hand, an impressive performance should help him earn a back-end roster spot at running back with a pathway to the featured role within two years. There’s no replacement for what Beast Mode does on the field at his best, but the Raiders may have a long-term solution for the ground attack, post-Lynch, already in place.