The Las Vegas Raiders will have a young and versatile running backs room this season. According to one of its members, they will hold themselves accountable as a unit.
As NFL training camp continues for the Silver and Black, one of its most exciting groups are the running backs. For good reason as well, the Raiders feature a star in Josh Jacobs, a versatile veteran in Jalen Richard, and of course, rookie Lynn Bowden Jr. While the team has added camp bodies, most recently Theo Riddick, it will be these three that head coach Jon Gruden will depend on.
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The running backs room is a noteworthy mix of veterans and youngsters with each one of them bringing something different to the table. Jacobs was literally running over defenses last year and Richard continues to be a reliable target in the passing game for quarterback Derek Carr. Above all else, it’s up to Gruden to have all this talent compliment itself, maximizing its potential.
Raiders’ Richard Says They’re Pushing Each Other
Recently, Richard spoke on the unit ahead of the 2020 season, highlighting how the group is coming together in training camp.Â
“The main message for our running back room and our entire offense, everyone is in different roles right now. But as running backs, we’re definitively trying to apply pressure this year. There’s no pressure felt by us, we’re trying to push the standard and see how good we can be.”
The roles for each of the players that Richard speaks of are in fact, different. Jacobs will obviously carry the heavy load once again in 2020. Keep in mind though, the Raiders saw Jacobs go down with an injury and what that eventually did to the offense. Keeping Jacobs healthy will be the key, and Richard’s passing game contributions will need to be counted on.Â
“Just trusting each other, holding each other accountable as best as possible has definitely been something we’ve been looking towards for camp. Josh and I year being year two, also having spoken here as a leader as well in the room.”
Bowden, the rookie all-world talent, was drafted as running back and so, will be used as much. As he adjusts to the NFL, Bowden’s versatility figures to create matchup opportunities. This will be key since it should lighten some of Jacobs’ burden. Moving forward as Richard alluded to, the unit will be pushing each other to get better. Jacobs can have a monster campaign in 2020, but all the same, a more well-rounded rushing attack will lead to a more balanced offense.
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*Top Photo: Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group