Like current New England Patriots offenses, head coach Josh McDaniels’ Raiders will go along with a “running-back-by-committee” method. By not counting on one working again, McDaniels — the previous Patriots offensive coordinator — goals to maintain defenses guessing, play to the strengths of his working backs and preserve them contemporary.
“We have now some guys which are sort of multifaceted by way of what they do and convey,” McDaniels mentioned lately, per ESPN.
Las Vegas is emulating what labored so nicely for the Patriots dynasty underneath Tom Brady and Invoice Belichick.
This is a who’s who within the Raiders’ backfield:
Josh Jacobs: Jacobs will function the LeGarrette Blount or Damien Harris, each of whom excelled underneath McDaniels in New England. He’ll be the workforce’s characteristic again and main rusher, getting about 15 carries a recreation. That is roughly three carries much less a recreation than he averaged in his first two seasons with the Raiders and on par along with his workload throughout an injury-marred 2021.
The Raiders declined Jacobs’ fifth-year choice, so if he expects one other contract in Las Vegas, he should play nicely.
Zamir White: When Las Vegas chosen White with the 122nd choose of the draft, not many anticipated him to have a distinguished position as a rookie. Due to his strong camp and preseason performances, he’ll be the ground-and-pound again, the position Rhamondre Stevenson served with the Patriots. A tricky runner, Stevenson supported Harris in 2021, posting 606 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Jacobs bought 78 % of the inside-the-5-yard-line carries in 2020 and 60 % in 2021, per CBS Sports activities. White may lower into that workload.
Ameer Abdullah: The sleeper in McDaniels’ offense is Abdullah, the much-traveled seven-year veteran. Based mostly on McDaniels’ use of backs in New England. he may attain 300 yards receiving as a dump-off choice within the flat for Derek Carr, who will work behind a suspect offensive line.
Abdullah’s Patriots comp is current retiree James White, a beloved member of New England’s Tremendous Bowl-winning groups. A menace out vast or subsequent to Brady, White had six consecutive seasons of 375 yards or extra receiving.
Brandon Bolden: The longtime Patriot, who signed in March with the Raiders, had 226 yards dashing and 405 yards final season. He may fill a jack-of-all-trades position.
