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The Las Vegas Raiders have almost always had a notable running back in their backfield. From Marcus Allen to Josh Jacobs, the Raiders usually had a formidable running back on which they could depend. For the last five seasons, the Raiders leaned on Jacobs to carry the load for the team.
However, Jacobs recently signed a deal with the Green Bay Packers after leading the National Football League in rushing in the 2022-23 season and a down season this past season.
Running back Zamir White now has the opportunity of a lifetime with the departure of Jacobs. The Raiders drafted White in the 2022 NFL Draft, as Jacobs entered a contract season with the team.
Jacobs led the league in rushing that season, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the team's carries. He was on pace for a similar percentage this past season before suffering an injury.
This left little room for White to display his value during his first two seasons in the league. White primarily played on special teams during the 2022 season and most of this past season until Jacobs suffered an injury late in the season, allowing White to demonstrate that he could successfully be a starting back for the Silver and Black.
White averaged roughly five yards per carry as the team's starting running back. He rushed for over 100 yards in two of his first four starts at running back, becoming the first running back in Raiders history to do so. With Jacobs now gone, White can show what he can do on a larger scale.
The Raiders have made their fair share of mistakes over the last few seasons, as every team around the NFL has. However, drafting White in the fourth round of the NFL Draft two seasons ago, as Jacobs entered a contract season, may have been one of their most underrated decisions.
White gives the Raiders a starting-caliber running back at a cost-efficient rate. The third-year back will now have a chance as the team's starting running back while focused on getting his first significant contract in the NFL. His motivation to prove himself and for a life-changing contract will be positive for him and the Raiders.
In 2022, quarterbacks Derek Carr and Jarrett Stidham had more carries than White. White patiently waited for his opportunity to roll around, and his opportunity finally arrived. He now has the chance to make a name for himself as the next workhorse running back of a franchise with a long history of respectable running backs.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.
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