Breaking Down Raiders' Promising Running Back Room
The Las Vegas Raiders have re-imagined their running back room this offseason.
With new head coach Klint Kubiak expected to heavily lean on the run game, they needed to find the proper personnel to execute the plays he wants to run.
Ashton Jeanty, who had enough moments as a rookie that proved he can be a star in this league, will likely continue to be the team's workhorse back. However, he did not have much support last season, so the front office wanted to address that.
Who did the team add behind Jeanty, and who else is in the room? Let's break down what the Raiders are working with at running back this season.
The Starter: Ashton Jeanty
The Raiders are leaning on Jeanty as a major piece of the offense, so he will need to improve his efficiency.
Jeanty still eclipsed 1,300 scrimmage yards, but he wasn't consistently successful on a down-to-down basis. He averaged -0.24 expected points added per play, which ranked 108th out of all qualified running backs.
He should take a step forward this season in a much more run-friendly scheme and a healthier offensive line, so Jeanty has a chance to truly ascend to stardom. He could be a game-changing piece in Kubiak's offense.
The Rookie: Mike Washington Jr.
The Raiders drafted Washington in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They expect him to be a home-run hitting back with excellent NFL size.
Washington spent time at three colleges, including Buffalo, New Mexico State, and Arkansas, totaling more than 2,900 rushing yards, 470 receiving yards, and 29 total touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Washington has the necessary size and speed to be a solid backup for Jeanty.
He doesn't have the best vision or contact balance, and still needs to improve his understanding of the nuances of the position. As a backup running back, though, he should be more than capable of getting the job done.
Depth: Dylan Laube, Roman Hemby, & Chris Collier
Collier enters his second season with the Raiders, totaling five carries for 12 yards in his short career. He has also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/raiders/onsi as Breaking Down Raiders' Promising Running Back Room.
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 6:00 AM.