Oakland Raiders: DeAndre Washington Not One-Dimensional

Oakland Raiders rookie running back DeAndre Washington is much more than just a third-down back; He’s a diverse player that can do it all and will instantly add versatility to the offense.

To the chagrin of many fans, the Oakland Raiders drafted former Texas Tech running back DeAndre Washington in the fifth round with the 143rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft . With players like Alex Collins, Jordan Howard, and Paul Perkins still on the board there have been complaints that Oakland took the lesser-known Washington, but the former Red Raider will take lots of pressure off of Latavius Murray in the backfield and add a new wrinkle to the team’s offense.

Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie made it clear he doesn’t think Latavius Murray should carry the running back load on his own (via Oakland Raiders.com), and Washington seems to be the answer to that issue. Of the 12 teams that made the playoffs in 2015 all but three of them had at least two players with 99+ rushing attempts (One of these teams has Tom Brady & one of them has Adrian Peterson). Of the 20 teams that didn’t make the playoffs in 2015, only five of them did have at least two players with 99-plus rushing attempts. Clearly, McKenzie is right in saying that diversity in the running game is key to success in today’s NFL.

Latavius Murray had over 70 percent of Oakland’s rushing attempts in 2015 with his 266 carries going for 1,066 yards. The team’s second leading rusher was quarterback Derek Carr with 138 yards. McKenzie was definitely right when he said Murray needed some help in the backfield. He’s a good running back, but he isn’t capable of carrying the offense on his own. He has only 375 receiving yards in his two seasons in Oakland, and last season the Raiders didn’t have a serious threat to catch the football out of the backfield.

Some analysts see Washington as a threat only in the passing game as a third down back, but his time at Texas Tech proves otherwise. The keyword for former Red Raider is production. He finished fifth in Texas Tech history in career rushing yards despite tearing his ACL in 2011 and starting only two games in 2013. Playing at a school known for its high-flying air-raid offense, Washington still managed to make things happen on the ground.

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He also was a key part of the passing game with almost 400 receiving yards on 41 catches in his senior season. He finished 10th in the FBS in yards from scrimmage in 2015, showing his ability to produce week-in and week-out. He’s not just a gadget player, but he can do it all. His size (5’8″) leaves some questions about blocking ability but there can be no questions about his toughness. He may not be able to lock up with elite pass-rushers every play, but he is more than willing to put up a fight against the biggest, meanest defensive linemen barreling his way.

DeAndre Washington’s running style is best described as a bowling ball, with the ability to bounce off of would-be tacklers and sometimes plow right through them. He’s got the instincts to make guys miss and is almost un-tackleable in the open field. He may not have the elite jets to burn every single defender but he has the speed to get deep into the second level and has a unique ability to make guys miss at top speed without missing a beat.

One of the best qualities on Washington’s tape is his nose for the marker. Whether it be the first-down line or the end-zone, he knows just where it is and how to get there. He’s always, spinning, twisting, and turning to get the last yard or two that he needs before going down. He rarely is knocked backwards because he keeps his legs churning and keeps fighting even while getting tackled, a quality good for an extra yard or two on almost every carry.

Yes it’s harder to get into the open field in the NFL than it is in the Big 12, but Oakland’s great passing attack should open up some things for Washington. He should be more than able to have an impact on the team in the 2016 season and into the future. He’s much more than simply a third-down pass-catcher because if he can make a guy or two miss he’s always a threat to make a big play.

Washington fought to become the starter at Texas Tech, then fought through a torn ACL, then fought to become a top offensive option for a pas-first team. Now he’s fought to be drafted ahead of higher-profile players and will continue to fight for a spot on the depth chart. When asked about Washington the word McKenzie used the most was toughness, and that is very evident in the fight the running back has been putting up his entire career. That toughness will make him fit perfectly on this gritty Oakland Raiders squad.

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Washington isn’t a threat to Murray’s starting spot, but he’s likely to steal 8-10 carries per game, not to mention the passes that will be thrown his way. The Raiders managed to lock him up for four years (via USA Today), and they certainly won’t regret it. I’m excited to see the Raiders offense continue to get better with Washington in the mix, as the team pushes its way towards true contention in the league.

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Oakland Raiders: DeAndre Washington Is Not One-Dimensional

By Joel Childers | May 13, 2016

Oakland Raiders rookie running back DeAndre Washington is much more than just a third-down back; He’s a diverse player that can do it all and will instantly add versatility to the offense.