Oakland Raiders: 3 Veterans on the roster bubble in 2019 training camp
RB DeAndre Washington
Going into the 2016 campaign, the Raiders needed complementary running backs behind Latavius Murray on the depth chart. In a weak class behind Ezekiel Elliott, former general manager Reggie McKenzie selected DeAndre Washington in the fifth round.
Washington took on a decent role in the backfield, recording 582 yards from scrimmage as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher. Jalen Richard slightly outperformed him with 685 yards from scrimmage.
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Oakland’s offense regressed significantly during the 2017 campaign, and Washington struggled behind an offensive line that ranked 11th in run blocking—based on adjusted line yards (4.17), per Football Outsiders. He averaged 2.7 yards per carry with 34 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown.
Once again, Richard managed to provide a little more than Washington. He averaged 4.9 yards per rush attempt with one fewer carry and caught 27 passes for 256 yards and a score.
In 2018, Washington barely saw the field in 10 games, lining up for 70 offensive snaps. He underwent a knee scope in August, which required weeks to recover, explaining his slow start to the year, but it’s not a good sign that Gruden hasn’t seen him produce at a high level.
Richard’s ascension from an undrafted product out of Southern Mississippi to the team’s top pass-catching running back secures his space on the roster. The third-year tailback has a safe spot on the depth chart along with rookie first-rounder Josh Jacobs.
Because of Doug Martin‘s return and willingness to provide a veteran example for Jacobs, Washington seems like the odd man out. The Raiders cannot stash him on the practice squad like Chris Warren III, and he’s been relatively effective since his rookie term.