NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

One surprise cut candidate from each NFL team in 2021

By Randy Gurzi

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during warmups before playing the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during warmups before playing the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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NFL 2021
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 21: Running back Jalen Richard #30 of the Las Vegas Raiders leaps into the end zone to score a 20-yard rushing touchdown ahead of free safety Marcus Williams #43 of the New Orleans Saints during the second half of the NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: Jalen Richard, Running Back

Josh Jacobs has proven over the past two seasons that he’s a lead back for the Las Vegas Raiders. A first-round pick in 2019, he had 1,150 yards rushing with seven touchdowns as a rookie. He followed that up with 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns in year two, although he did have a decline in yards per carry as he fell from 4.8 to 3.9.

Perhaps this is why the Raiders decided to take some of the responsibility off his plate in the offseason when they signed another former Alabama back, Kenyan Drake.

Drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by Miami, Drake was traded to the Arizona Cardinals halfway through the 2019 season. He ran for 643 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games with another 171 yards receiving. He then was their top back in 2020 with 955 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

Arizona elected to move on and it was probably for the best for Drake who is better as a complementary back than a workhorse. He should feel more comfortable in Las Vegas but he could also make someone such as Jalen Richard expendable.

Richard has spent the past five seasons with the Raiders but he had the least amount of touches in his career in 2020 — just 41 total. This is a far cry from the 123 he had in 2018 meaning he might no longer be in the plans for Vegas.

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