The Las Vegas Raiders are in the market for a starting running back this offseason.
The Raiders ran the worst rushing attack in the NFL in 2024, averaging a paltry 79.8 yards per game on the ground. For context, the next lowest team was the New York Jets at 91.8 yards per game.
If that stark discrepancy did not illustrate the issue enough, the running back room is in the midst of a shakeup.
Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah are free agents. Zamir White was a flop when trusted with the starting role, and Sincere McCormick lacks experience despite showing promise late this season.
The Raiders can now choose to hit free agency or the draft to find a replacement. However, it would not be surprising to see the team sign and draft running backs to fix what is currently a major weakness.
Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby has weighed in on the issue, and he is hoping to influence the Raiders by recommending they sign Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris.
“Why not? He’s from the Bay,” Crosby said of Harris on his podcast The Rush.
“Najee’s a baller… Anybody that could help when it comes to winning and being a culture guy, a leader, that’s the type of guy you want around. You’ve seen Najee; he’s played four years in the league and has had 1,000 yards every single season. That alone is impressive.”
Despite Crosby’s glowing praise, it is somewhat telling that the Steelers declined Harris’s fifth-year option and allowed him to hit free agency.
Harris certainly has the stats to warrant a good payday. rushing for over 1,000 yards in all four of his seasons so far. However, he has struggled to hold off Jaylen Warren for the bellcow role, and there have been times Warren has looked the more dynamic of the two.
Harris has certainly shown inconsistencies, but it is hard to pin that all on him. The Steelers’ quarterback woes since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger in 2022 have been well-documented, and the team has also struggled to construct a consistent offensive line.
In Las Vegas, Harris would at least have a decent supporting cast, despite the lack of a franchise quarterback. The presences of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers will deter opponents from stacking the box, and a young offensive line has shown significant promise so far.
If Harris can continue to churn out seasons like he has for the Raiders, fans will not mind watching the sudden improvement of their running game.
Having Crosby’s stamp of approval may also work in Harris’s favor. The pass rusher has used his podcast earlier to discuss his concerns with the direction of the Raiders, so trusting his judgment could be the team’s way of extending an olive branch.
If Crosby has his way, Harris will be in the Silver and Black this upcoming season. With the Raiders having the need, they would be wise to listen.
