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Oakland Raiders: Some RB prospects to think about for the 2019 season

By Kevin Saito

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 29: Running back Benjamin Snell Jr. #26 of the Kentucky finds an opening and runs for a first down against the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 29: Running back Benjamin Snell Jr. #26 of the Kentucky finds an opening and runs for a first down against the Missouri Tigers in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Robert Taylor #2 of the Washington State Cougars for a touchdown during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

L.J. Scott – Michigan State Spartans

If Gruden is hesitant to use a first-round pick on a running back, the good news is that there will be some available in the second and third rounds who could step into Oakland’s backfield and add a little punch. Michigan State’s L.J. Scott could be one of those.

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Scott isn’t the most celebrated, decorated, or well-known back who will be in the 2018 draft class, but he could wind up being a solid value pick in the second or even third round, where early projections have him landing.

Over his three seasons at Michigan State, Scott hasn’t been a superstar, has never cracked 1,000 yards, be he’s been a tough, solid, and most importantly, consistent running back. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry as a freshman (699 yards on 146 carries) and 11 touchdowns.

As a sophomore, he racked up 994 yards on 184 carries – a very solid average of 5.4 yards per carry – and added six touchdowns. And as a junior, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry, logging 898 yards on 201 carries, with eight scores.

He’s also proven adept at catching out of the backfield – not that he’s asked to do it much – but racked up 308 yards on 33 receptions, and added two more scores.

At six-feet, 230 pounds, it’s easy to peg him as simply a north-south runner, but scouts are impressed with his athleticism, his feet, and his agility. They note his surprising speed for a man his size, his patience, and his ability to make tacklers miss in the open field.

Some scouts draw a comparison between Steelers standout Le’Veon Bell and Scott, believing that he could be just as quick and elusive if he dropped a little bit of weight – and for the record, Bell is currently listed at 225 pounds.

If Gruden is gunshy about taking a back early, Scott very well may be sitting there in the third round, and could be a tremendous value pick.

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