The running back position, as we were well aware of in 2024, is something the Las Vegas Raiders need to fix. They haven’t done so in free agency, but this year’s draft class is very deep at the position. One would have to assume general manager John Syptek has something planned this month.
There’s a chance Las Vegas takes Ashton Jeanty if he falls to the sixth overall pick. Alternatively, they could wait until the second round or even until Day 3. Let’s take a look at three running backs that would make sense for Las Vegas in the middle rounds of the draft.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Skattebo presents one of the more intriguing candidates in this year’s class. He was a stud in college, but some are worried about how his game will translate to the NFL. Some have him mocked as high as the second round, while others think he’ll slide further than that.
Skattebo began his collegiate career at Sacramento State before transferring to Arizona State for his final season. The nation mostly overlooked Skattebo’s draft potential prior to the 2024 season, but a series of impressive performances captured their attention. Those culminated in a heroic effort against Texas in the College Football Playoff— a game in which he caught, ran and threw a touchdown.
With that said, there are the aforementioned worries that his game won’t translate well to the NFL. He isn’t as athletic, but he is more determined than perhaps any other player in the class. So he could go in the second round or be selected on the draft’s last day.
Other Mid-Round RB Options The Raiders Should Consider
Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Bhayshul Tuten out of Virginia Tech is another back that will be available on the second day of the draft, possibly the third.
Tuten plays in a compact frame, but he’s extremely explosive. He’s a constant home-run threat from anywhere on the field because of that speed. Tuten’s also agile enough to make defenders miss in open space. Unlike most agile and quick backs, Tuten isn’t afraid of contact. He runs tough and breaks through arm tackles with ease. Tuten is fast enough to beat defenders to the outside. In the passing game, he’s effective after the catch out of the backfield, and he’s not afraid to line somebody up in pass protection either.
There are a few concerns, though. One is ball security. Another is his lack of vision, because he occasionally takes too long to process what’s happening at the line of scrimmage. Because of this, he relies on his speed too often and tries to bounce runs to the outside when he doesn’t really need to.
Overall, Tuten’s game offers numerous positive aspects. While some inconsistencies require correction, they are attainable. Tuten has a solid foundation to build off and can become a talented back for the Raiders.
Brashard Smith, SMU
Smith requires a more versatile role at the NFL level but is a perfect fit for the Raiders’ offense.
Brashard Smith might have some of the freshest legs in the entire class, with only 253 carries during his collegiate career. He is a swift back with the ability to change direction quickly. His agility helps him sift through the offensive line when things are clogged up, and as a former receiver, he can catch the ball out of the backfield as well. He’s a true asset to an offense and can contribute in multiple ways, aside from just running the ball.
However, his smaller size and lack of a workload in college do raise concerns about his ability to handle a larger workload in the NFL. He also has struggles with hesitation as a runner and can occasionally be too patient. He needs to offer more in terms of pass protection and vision as a runner but is a good fit for the Raiders.
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