Running back Josh Jacobs has yet to report to camp leaving the Las Vegas Raiders, as of now, without the 2022 NFL rushing champion. They must find a way to replace the All-Pro talent with what they have on hand. Finding a way to replace 393 touches, 2053 combined yards, and 12 touchdowns is no easy feat, but the coaching staff has three viable options to work with.
The Las Vegas Raiders Have an All-Pro Hole to Fill
Josh Jacobs
After failing to reach a long-term deal, Jacobs has refused to sign the franchise tag that would have paid him in the ballpark of $10 million for a season of work with no insurance of a job in seasons to come. The NFL’s reigning rushing champion will not report to camp and his future with the teams looks to be in serious doubt.
#Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, who hasn’t signed his franchise tender, was spotted this morning boarding a flight leaving Las Vegas.
Jacobs won’t report for training camp Tuesday and has told people close to him that he doesn’t plan to return anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/JxwpE3LBXL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 24, 2023
In order to make good on putting a competitive team on the field the Raiders coaching staff will work with the current running backs, hopefully, in a committee-type rotation that capitalizes on strengths and abilities. Ammer Abdullah, Zamir White, and Brandon Bolden will do what they can to keep the ship afloat while Jacobs and the front office labor toward a solution that works for all involved.
Ameer Abdullah
Known for his role on passing downs, Abdullah is a serviceable back in any situation. While not the prototypical runner at 5-foot-9 and a generous 196 pounds, Abdullah’s skill set works in today’s NFL. He isn’t going to power into the end zone from one yard out and will be limited with his touches on first and second down, but in passing situations is where he’ll shine.
Abdullah’s ability to step up and challenge defenders in the pocket is going to keep any coach and quarterback happy, especially when you’re protecting someone with an injury history like Jimmy Garoppolo. The ability for Garoppolo to stand in the pocket and deliver to his receivers is critical for the Raiders’ success. This team’s strength lies in its wide receiver corps and without time to throw, the Raiders will be in for a long season.
There will be times, however, when Abdullah will be asked to catch passes of his own, a skill that has kept him in the league far longer than he would have been without it. In 2022, Abdullah hauled in 25 passes for a total of 211 yards and one touchdown. Impressive, especially when you take into account that Jacobs consumed 75% of the offensive snaps. If given a bigger share of the workload, and if Josh McDaniels places him in situations where he will succeed, based on his strengths, Abdullah can be a valuable cog in an efficient offensive machine.
Zamir “Zeus” White
White is entering his sophomore season after ending 2022 with little to show for it. This is not saying that he was a bad draft pick, but more so that he was the backup for the best back in the league. White touched the ball 17 times for a total of 70 yards. That’s a 4.1 average. Not great, but serviceable.
White is an inside zone runner who won’t run around you with flashy moves or jump cuts. He will run past you or through you, and that’s his game. The film on him at the pro level is sparse due to the obstacle mentioned above, but that obstacle is not in camp now, and the Raiders need a workhorse.
He is a first and second-down back with the potential to be a three-down back. Right now the Raiders have two excellent pass-catching/blocking backs that can handle third down. They need White to pound the ball, wear defenses out, and set up the play-action passes for Garoppolo and company down the field.
Brandon Bolden
Bolden is another pass-catching back that grew up in the New England Patriots system. He is a big back, and at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, he profiles like your traditional, between-the-tackles rusher. Only he isn’t. For one reason or another, the Patriots used him sparingly in his eight years with the team. His one year with the Miami Dolphins was even worse. He is secure with the ball, runs the screen well, and his pass protection is there. He just doesn’t get the ball in his hands. 2021 was his most productive season and most of his production came in the passing game with 41 receptions for 405 yards and a touchdown. His rushing stats for that season clocked in at 44 carries for 226 yards and zero touchdowns.
Lack of opportunities has led to poor stat lines over the years, but after 10 seasons it’s important to know what Bolden is; he is a change of pace back with the size to be effective near the goal line. In any other situation this would be a bad thing, a label no running back wants. Nevertheless, the Raiders are trying to piece together a replacement for the NFL Rushing Champion. Bolden can be the pass-catcher Abdullah is, and he can punch it in when White needs a breather. He is the glue that will hold this experiment together if Jacobs is out for an extended period.
Las Vegas’s Three-Headed Monster
Abdullah, White, and Bolden are three decent NFL running backs. They will need to replicate over 2000 yards of combined offense and 12 touchdowns between the three of them if the Raiders are to stay above .500 in the competitive AFC West. During the 2022 season, they combined for 72 touches, 424 yards, and 2 touchdowns. It won’t be easy, but with a proper game plan, a selfless attitude, and each accepting their strengths and weaknesses for what they are, this three-pronged attack may be able to keep the ship afloat until help arrives in one form or another.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
