New Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio made his name on the ground while he was calling the shots for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In nine years as head coach, Jacksonville's offense ranked in the top ten in rushing six times. By all accounts, he hopes to turn the Raiders into a similar smash mouth type of football team.
But does he have the personnel to do so?
Second-year rusher Latavius Murray is expected to be the starter out of the gate. While he has talent, he doesn't come without some questions marks as well.
"The Raiders hope Murray is ready to be a lead back," ESPN's Oakland Raiders reporter Bill Williamson wrote. "But he has 82 career carries and averaged 3.7 yards [per carry] or less in three of his final four games last season. He can be an explosive runner and will be given every opportunity to be an impact runner."
Overall, Murray rushed for 424 yards with two touchdowns on a 5.2 YPC last year. He reeled off an impressive 90-yard touchdown scamper against the Kansas City Chiefs last season. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, he's the type of big and physical back that can wear down a defense over time. Whether or not he can be consistent enough for the Raiders given his inexperience remains to be seen.
Behind him on the depth chart are Trent Richardson and Roy Helu. Richardson, the former No. 3 overall pick, has now disappointed two franchises with his unproductive stops in Cleveland and Indianapolis. Helu, meanwhile, projects as a solid third-down back who could be a quality safety valve for second-year quarterback Derek Carr.
