Las Vegas Raiders pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction
Las Vegas Raiders roster prediction: Running backs
Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden, Zamir White, Brittain Brown, Ameer Abdullah
Running Back Josh Jacobs has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Speculation exists over a possible holdout, which for now has not been substantiated, on top of his fifth-year option being declined.
To add to the drama the Raiders drafted Georgia running back Zamir White in the fourth round creating a new rumor that White may have been brought in to replace Jacobs after ’22 concludes.
Regardless Josh Jacobs is the most talented back on this roster, specifically as a dual-threat back with his pass-catching ability.
White is more of a power back along with ex-Patriot Brandon Bolden who both can provide assistance in those crucial third and short situations.
Kenyan Drake, similar to Jacobs, is coming off a season of various injuries but will join Jacobs as another dual-threat receiving option.
Brittain Brown joins White as another rookie back taken in the late rounds and will likely make the 53 with journeyman third-string back Ameer Abdullah as a practice squad/special teams contributor.
It would not be a surprise however to see Abdullah not work out and he will be released to go find his fifth team.
Jakob Johnson, fullback
This won’t take long. The Raiders have one fullback on the roster, Jakob Johnson, formerly of the New England Patriots. Johnson spent his last three seasons with the Patriots where he logged 13 receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown.
While Johnson may not contribute as much as a receiver like his predecessor, Alec Ingold (who is now a Miami Dolphin), Johnson excelled as a run blocker and helped the Patriots finish the season with the 8th most rushing yards (avg) per game.
Alec Ingold’s leadership and general presence will be missed but after tearing his ACL the Miami Dolphins found value where the Raiders didn’t and signed Ingold to a two-year contract.
Johnson will assist the offensive line in creating some holes for the Raiders’ runners.