In 2016 the Oakland Raiders undoubtedly found a diamond in the rough with the signing of running back Jalen Richard, who slipped through all seven rounds of the NFL draft but landed a last-minute contract with the Silver and Black.
Richard took full advantage of the eleventh-hour signing, and despite appearing in only two preseason games as a rookie, he was impressive enough for a spot on the 53-man roster.
During Oakland’s week one 2016 season opener in New Orleans, Richard showcased his raw power and deadly speed on his first NFL carry, as he shredded would be tacklers en-route to a 75-yard touchdown run. The former Southern Mississippi product didn’t stop there and his electrifying play has made him a staple of the Raiders ground game, in what is now a fierce three-headed monster at running back.
In Oakland’s crowded back field, Richard would go on to finish the 2016 campaign with over 600 yards of total offense and score three touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards each time he touched the ball.
Pro Football Focus took Richard’s numbers a step further and found this:
Jalen Richard was extremely effective in limited time as a rookie pic.twitter.com/uNAqr7Abjb
— PFF (@PFF) July 10, 2017
With recent grumblings of Richard’s so-called ‘problematic’ game against the Dallas Cowboys in the team’s third preseason outing, it is pure mediocrity and downright foolish to even consider Richard’s supreme level of talent as a potential problem.
The numbers and highlights speak for themselves in regards to Jalen Richard, and in 2017 Raider Nation is eager to see even more of what this budding superstar has to offer.
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