Oakland Raiders: Predicting The Team’s Final 53-Man Roster

Running Backs (4)

Starter: Marshawn Lynch

Reserves: Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, Jamize Olawale

Although Lynch was brought in to be the team’s featured back, don’t expect him to shoulder the load alone. In fact, HC Jack Del Rio and OC Todd Downing might limit Lynch’s carries to keep him fresh and effective throughout the season.

Which makes it important to have backs like Richard, Washington, and Olawale to help pick up the slack. We saw last season just how effective a three-headed beast of a running attack can be. Behind Latavius Murray, Richard, and Washington, the Raiders had the league’s sixth best ground game.

Arguably, with Lynch in the fold, Oakland’s running game is going to be even better. At least, that’s the working theory. Following an awful, injury-plagued season in 2015, and being out of the game altogether last year, Lynch returns – hopefully – refreshed and rejuvenated.

There is still some question about how much tread he actually has left on his tires.

Encouragingly, n very limited action during the exhibition season, Lynch has looked good. He’s been decisive, has shown some good pop, and looks like a good addition to the Oakland backfield. But it’s all going to come down to how much pounding he can endure over the season – which makes Richard, Washington, and Olawale that much more important.

Although seventh-round pick Elijah Hood looks like he could be a very interesting prospect – and perhaps, given his similarity to Lynch, a valuable contributor to this offense – it looks like he’ll be a victim of the numbers game this season. There are only so many roster spots available.

The Raiders will likely try to stash him on the practice squad and hope he doesn’t get plucked away.