Raiders’ 'Surprising' Draft Need?

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the needs for the Las Vegas Raiders seem obvious. Quarterback. Offensive line. Defensive help across the board. Running back? Not so much at least on the surface. But as the draft approaches, a surprising narrative is beginning to build: the Raiders may not be done addressing the backfield, even after investing a top-10 pick in Ashton Jeanty just one year ago.

The Jeanty Factor And the Reality

Jeanty’s rookie season didn’t fully match expectations, but context matters. Behind an inconsistent offensive line and within a struggling offense, flashes of his explosiveness were often overshadowed by limited opportunities. With improvements expected under new leadership, the outlook for Year 2 is far more optimistic.

Still, the conversation isn’t about replacing Jeanty. It’s about protecting him.

Klint Kubiak’s System Demands Depth

New head coach Klint Kubiak brings a system built on balance and more importantly, rotation. In his previous stops, Kubiak leaned heavily on multiple running backs, most notably utilizing a two-back system featuring Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.

That approach isn’t just preference it’s philosophy. And right now, the Raiders don’t have a clear No. 2 option capable of sharing the workload with Jeanty.