Bay Area Sports: Ranking the Top 30 Players

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs the ball against the New York Jets in the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

#29 – Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders

There were a lot of questions revolving around Latavius Murray in the offseason, and whether or not he could be an every-down back for the Raiders. Murray, a big back at 6’3″ and 230 pounds, has shown a surprising mix of power and speed and has taken the starter’s job and run with it, quite literally. In his third season, Murray has broken out, adding a nice run game to the Raiders’ deadly passing game.

In 10 games, Murray has just over 700 yards, already a career-high, and has scored four times, also a career-best. He’s gone over 100 yards twice, including a 139-yard effort against the Cleveland Browns in week three, helping lead the Raiders to a win. Not only is he a good runner with good hands who can catch the ball out of the backfield (43 catches in 25 games), but Murray also has the size to be an effective pass-blocker.

Murray began his career with little-to-no expectations, as a sixth-round pick out of Central Florida in 2013. His rookie years ended after one preseason game with an ankle injury, but he has bounced back to become a legitimate threat out of the backfield.

Murray’s only in his third season, and at 25 years old, there’s plenty of room to improve. He’s quickly, and rather quietly, become an excellent running back for the Raiders, and an exciting player for Bay Area Sports fans.

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