Perhaps no need on the Raiders right now is greater than that of the running back position. Zamir White never panned out, they let all their veteran backs leave in free agency, and only added 33-year-old Raheem Mostert.
Lucky for them, this draft is deep and talented at running back, leaving them with many great options from the top and well into day three.
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State -- Round 1
The unquestioned top back in this class. Jeanty is also widely considered one of the best players in this draft regardless of position. The only thing keeping him from being taken where his talent would dictate is the position he plays. Both from the standpoint that running back is devalued in today's NFL and that this class has so much talent there.
While it may not be the wisest move for the Raiders to take Jeanty at six overall, you couldn't fault them too much for doing it. He perfectly fits the mold of the kind of back Pete Carroll likes -- or any head coach for that matter -- while also filling a great need.
Even better might be if the Raiders were to find a way to trade down a few spots and still have a shot at him. As was the case in our site wide mock draft this week.
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina -- Round 2
What a huge win it would be if the Raiders pick at 37 came up and Hampton were still on the board. Hampton has day one NFL workhorse back written all over him. He had over 1500 yards rushing in 2023 and then upped that to 1660 yards last season despite every defense selling out to try and stop him. This, of course, would seem to make it unlikely he would fall out of the first round. But stranger things have happened. Mainly because teams picking him aren't doing so in a vacuum. They have to consider other players are more premium positions.
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State -- Round 2-3
Judkins is a massive load who can really move. And he comes with the added bonus of putting up huge numbers in Chip Kelly's offense at Ohio State. Judkins was a touchdown machine in his three seasons, putting up 45 touchdowns, including 14 last season despite splitting carries with TreVeyon Henderson.
If the Raiders want to make sure they get Judkins, they would have to pull the trigger at pick 37. But if the board takes them another directions, they could wait to see if he lasts until the third. At which point you'd figure he'd be a great get should he last that long.
Devin Neal, Kansas -- Round 4
Neal could be a sneaky good day three pick. He shows a rare combination of instincts and cut ability to both find his crease and make defenders miss. Making him a tremendous value at this point. Along with averaging over six yards per carry the past three seasons, he put up 16 touchdowns in each of the past two. And at 5-11, 213 pounds, he has the size to handle the grind and between the tackles running required of a feature back in the NFL.
Olliie Gordon II, Oklahoma State -- Round 5
There are two big red flags with Gordon -- a DUI arrest last year and a big drop in production last season. Those concerns are the reasons he could fall well into day three. If you rewind ten months, Gordon was looking like a bonafide NFL top prospect. He had a monster sophomore season, rushing for 1732 yards and 21 touchdowns while averaging over six yards per carry, making him a unanimous All American. Then he was unable to approach that this past season, with his stats dropping across the board. His yards total was cut nearly in half (880), his yards per carry was nearly ...
