Oakland Raiders: Running Back Options Not Named Lynch Or Peterson
By Kevin Saito
It’s uncertain at this point whether Pitt’s James Conner is going to hear his name called during the Draft or not. Some have him going very late in the Draft, others have him going undrafted completely. It’s hard to say at this point. And given his health concerns and injury history, it’s easy to see why.
At 6’1”, 233 pounds, Conner has terrific size, though he lacks optimal speed. But he is more than willing to go toe-to-toe with tacklers and deliver as much punishment to them as they are trying to inflict upon him. Conner drives through would-be tacklers and delivers a hard blow, not to mention the fact that he has a brutal stiff arm that keeps defenders at bay.
He’s overcome a lot of adversity in his life – a torn MCL as well as a cancer diagnosis – and has managed to get himself back on the field. As a fourth-year junior at Pitt, he ran for 1,092 yards on 216 carries for an average of 5.1 yards per carry. He also scored 16 times.
But Conner was also a weapon out of the backfield, catching 21 balls for 302 yards and another four scores.
His work ethic, leadership, mental toughness, and solid character make him just the sort of player McKenzie and HC Jack Del Rio are looking for. And on the field, he can help keep the chains moving by banging for the tough yards, and is a goalline threat as well.
He’s never going to be an Ezekiel Elliott, but the Raiders don’t really need one. They just need a reliable, competent back who can pass block well, grind out the yards, punch it in when called upon, and be a solid contributor to the three-headed beast in the backfield.
Conner could possibly be those things for this team. It could be worth using a very late pick, or at least, giving him a look as a UDFA.