The Las Vegas Raiders have a significant problem.
At the midway point of the season, the Raiders possess the NFL’s worst rushing offense, ranking last in rushing yards (692) and yards per carry (3.5). The only Raider to put up more than 300 yards on the ground is Alexander Mattison at 301. He and Ameer Abdullah are both pending free agents, and Zamir White has been underwhelming this season. While most Raiders fans are (justifiably) excited about the possibilities at quarterback in 2025, it will not matter if the Raiders are forced to be one-dimensional and predictable on offense.
Fortunately, help is on the way in 2025 thanks to arguably the deepest running back group in recent memory. While the positional value of running backs has decreased in recent years due to trends in age and usage leading to sharp decline, this draft class has the potential to turn the tide. Not only are there options in the early rounds, but the sheer depth of the class indicates that gems can be found even on Day 3 of the draft. It ultimately means the Raiders have options of how to improve their backfield: they can allow the board to take shape and pick accordingly, or be bold and move up to grab someone they are convinced is a franchise running back.
Here are five options for the Raiders to look closely at:
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Despite the impressive number of options on the board, Jeanty is the clear top dog of the group.
One of the youngest players in the class (he turns 21 in December), Jeanty is having a season for the ages as he pushes Boise State towards a College Football Playoff berth. Leading the nation with 1,734 yards (over 400 higher than anyone else) and 23 touchdowns, Jeanty has the opportunity to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015, as well as the first non-power conference winner since BYU quarterback Ty Detmer in 1990. A unique blend of speed, strength and explosiveness, Jeanty has the innate ability to know which gap to attack and breaking through tackles to gain extra yards. He is a legitimate threat to score every time he has the ball in his hands due to his creativity and ability to make defenders miss. A typical pro comparison for Jeanty is Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, and Raiders fans know all too well how dangerous a player of that caliber is.
Jeanty’s soaring draft stock means the Raiders will have to either procure another first-round selection or hope the board falls to them. If the opportunity is there, however, general manager Tom Telesco must be willing to pounce.
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
If Raiders fans are pining for the days of Josh Jacobs, Hampton is a prospect worth getting excited about.
A hard-nosed power running back, Hampton is at his best when he is allowed to attack the defensive front and run downhill. His punishing running style is well-equipped for short-yardage and red zone situations, but he also possesses the necessary vision to see the field and speed to get to the second level of the defense. Unlike other power backs, Hampton also makes his presence felt on third down with his willingness in pass protection and catching the ball, giving him true three-down potential at the NFL level. How Hampton refines his game will ultimately determine his ceiling, but what scouts will appreciate about him is the high floor he provides. Most NFL offenses typically deploy a rotation of running backs, with one often specializing in picking up tough yards and breaking down defenses to set up big plays later. Hampton’s game fits that role perfectly, giving him a strong chance to enjoy a long and productive NFL career.
Hampton has the traits at running back that the Raiders have valued for years, making this fit of prospect and team as seamless as it gets.
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Some players are more productive at the NFL level than in college, and Singleton stands out as a player who fits that mold.
One of the best athletes available in this class, Singleton not only has good size (six feet, 226 pounds) for the running back position, but pairs it with impressive speed and explosiveness. What has truly stood out about Singleton this year, however, is how he has developed nuance to his game. In 2023, Singleton had a down year for the Nittany Lions due to getting stuck behind his offensive line and having his athletic gifts minimized; this season, he has developed patience and vision, becoming much more precise and deliberate in his movements. Combine that with his willingness on third down and his ability to return kickoffs, and Singleton is a player who NFL offenses can feel comfortable putting on the field in any situation. While there is certainly more room to grow, Singleton’s high ceiling will make him a valuable commodity come draft day.
Teams who value athletic trades will watch Singleton’s tape and easily convince themselves of his potential. The Raiders are a team that could find themselves in that category.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
If head coach Antonio Pierce has his way, the Raiders will be scouting from his alma mater rather frequently. This connection gives Skattebo a good shot to be a Raider in April.
On the surface, Skattebo does not look the part of a NFL franchise running back. He comes slightly undersized at five-foot-eleven, and his top speed only comes across as passable. Take a look back at some Sun Devil games, however, and the tape tells a completely different story. What Skattebo lacks in speed, he more than makes up for in explosiveness and versatility. He is surprisingly physical for a player his size, and it shows in his willingness to attack and break free from defensives for explosive plays. His game against then-sixteenth ranked Utah was exemplary, putting up 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Arizona State’s biggest matchup so far this season. Skattebo is also reliable on third down, putting up 27 catches for 404 yards and two touchdowns while also serving as a willing pass protector. What ultimately comes out is a player greater than the sum of his parts.
Skattebo has shined at the collegiate level despite his physical limitations. Whether he’s a long-term starter is up for debate, but the Raiders would benefit from having a player like Skattebo on their roster.
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
There is something to be said about a player who has a clearly defined role at the NFL level. Brooks is one such player worth mentioning here.
With his size (five-foot-ten, 230 pounds) and running style, Brooks is a straight power running back. He does not possess the speed or elusiveness as some of the other options here, making him sort of a one-trick pony, but he performs that one trick exceptionally well. Brooks is the type of back who actually likes to get hit, overpowering defenders and gaining yards after first contact. He knows how to get leverage against would-be tacklers, as well as keep his feet moving to churn out tough yards and push play forward. Also working in Brooks’ favor is his ability in pass protection; while he will never be the first option in a passing attack, where Brooks shines is using his field awareness to pick up blitzes and his strength to stop defenders in their tracks, while also serving as a check-down option in a pinch. He does all of the little things well, which NFL coaches will definitely appreciate.
Power backs like Brooks will always have a role at the NFL level. While Brooks is better as a rotation option and occasional spot starter, he is a good choice for the Raiders if they wish to wait or double up at the position.
