Analyzing the Oakland Raiders backfield after the Isaiah Crowell injury

The Oakland Raiders have reshaped their backfield ahead of the 2019 season with multiple offseason acquisitions. But Isaiah Crowell’s recent injury could mean more reshaping is in order.

The Oakland Raiders will undoubtedly have a new look offense in 2019 as a result of a myriad of acquisitions they made this offseason. The receiving core has been completely revamped and their backfield looks to be new and improved as well.

But an unfortunate turn of events has left the team reshuffling their running back committee again.

Former Cleveland Browns and New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell was signed to a one-year deal in the offseason to make up for the departure of veteran Marshawn Lynch. Unfortunately, Crowell reportedly tore his Achilles during a recent team workout on Tuesday effectively ending his season before it ever even started.

As a direct response, the Raiders opted to bring back veteran Doug Martin who started nine games last season with Oakland pacing the team in all major rushing categories. But what exactly will this new look Raiders backfield look like now with Crowell done for the year and Martin returning to the silver and black?

The Raiders also return role players Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, though neither are seen as players with lead-back potential. Richard will likely assume the third-down role that he has so graciously held down for the past few years.

But the most significant change will likely come in the form of first-year running back Josh Jacobs. Jacobs was selected with the 24th pick in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft giving the Raiders perhaps their most talented running back in years.

Even with Martin’s return, it should be expected that Jacobs will see the lion’s share of the backfield touches. At least, that’s how it should be.

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Jacobs is a perfectly well-rounded young running back who was the top player in his draft class at the position. The Alabama product has superb vision and makes up for his lack of breakaway speed with his elusiveness and savvy running ability.

Martin, on the other hand, is an aging veteran who at 30-years-old, is already considered ancient by NFL standards. While he did enjoy a bit of a career renaissance in 2018, it’s still clear that his best days are behind him.

It would be wise for the Raiders to deploy Jacobs primarily on first and second down and use Richard as the top third-down back. Of course, you could sprinkle in some snaps to either Martin or Washington, but their contributions would be better off left to that.

There is, however, one wild card that we haven’t discussed, that being former Texas standout Chris Warren. The 2018 undrafted free agent looked sharp in the preseason but unfortunately spent the entirety of the season on the injured reserve after suffering a knee injury.

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Warren will likely be competing for a roster spot with the likes of Martin and Washington and could serve as a goal-line back if he does make the final 53-man roster. His powerful, bruising running style would make him a perfect fit for that role and give him an opportunity to contribute on offense.

If Martin were to make the team, Washington could find himself as the odd man out as there doesn’t appear to be a roster spot for him at the moment. A lot will ultimately depend on how many running backs the Raiders will look to carry.

Many teams choose to carry just three running backs on the roster but it’s not uncommon to see teams keep four under contract. Jacobs and Richard are likely locks to make the roster, but outside of that, no one should be considered safe.

It will be up to Martin, Washington, and Warren to each prove that they deserve one of the final roster spots come training camp and the preseason. Perhaps only one will make the team or perhaps two of them will secure spots.

But it’s extremely unlikely that all three find themselves on the active roster come September.

One thing is for sure, however. And that is that Jacobs should be the man to lead the new-look Raiders backfield in 2019.

The injury to Isaiah Crowell only further solidifies that.