Like recent New England Patriots offenses, head coach Josh McDaniels’ Raiders will go with a “running-back-by-committee” approach. By not relying on one running back, McDaniels — the former Patriots offensive coordinator — aims to keep defenses guessing, play to the strengths of his running backs and keep them fresh.
“We have some guys that are kind of multifaceted in terms of what they do and bring,” McDaniels said recently, per ESPN.
Las Vegas is emulating what worked so well for the Patriots dynasty under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Here’s a who’s who in the Raiders’ backfield:
Josh Jacobs: Jacobs will serve as the LeGarrette Blount or Damien Harris, both of whom excelled under McDaniels in New England. He’ll be the team’s feature back and leading rusher, getting about 15 carries a game. That’s roughly three carries less a game than he averaged in his first two seasons with the Raiders and on par with his workload during an injury-marred 2021.
The Raiders declined Jacobs’ fifth-year option, so if he expects another contract in Las Vegas, he must play well.
Zamir White: When Las Vegas selected White with the 122nd pick of the draft, not many expected him to have a prominent role as a rookie. Because of his solid camp and preseason performances, he’ll be the ground-and-pound back, the role Rhamondre Stevenson served with the Patriots. A tough runner, Stevenson supported Harris in 2021, posting 606 yards and five touchdowns.
Jacobs got 78 percent of the inside-the-5-yard-line carries in 2020 and 60 percent in 2021, per CBS Sports. White could cut into that workload.
Ameer Abdullah: The sleeper in McDaniels’ offense is Abdullah, the much-traveled seven-year veteran. Based on McDaniels’ use of backs in New England. he could reach 300 yards receiving as a dump-off option in the flat for Derek Carr, who will work behind a suspect offensive line.
Abdullah’s Patriots comp is recent retiree James White, a beloved member of New England’s Super Bowl-winning teams. A threat out wide or next to Brady, White had six consecutive seasons of 375 yards or more receiving.
Brandon Bolden: The longtime Patriot, who signed in March with the Raiders, had 226 yards rushing and 405 yards last season. He could fill a jack-of-all-trades role.
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