The Las Vegas Raiders are entering a new era at running back in 2024 after the team released Josh Jacobs as a free agent. Now, the team has a backfield that is expected to be led by Zamir White, with veteran Alexander Mattison behind him.
But will White see the same workhorse role that Jacobs played during his five years with the Raiders? look at White’s numbers since the end of the 2023 campaign where he averaged 21 carries per game, we could say yes.
However, after recent comments from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, it’s clear that White playing the cash cow role that has become less and less common in today’s NFL is not a sure thing.
“I think you’re looking for somebody who just takes the lead,” Getsy said of White, according to Levi Damien from Raiders Wire “There’s those critical moments in games and in situational football where they’re able to react. And I don’t think that necessarily always means it’s just one guy. I think it could be two, maybe three. But I think it’s always important to have someone in that room who, you know, is the leader of the room. Not necessarily like the cash cow years, 25, 30 carries a game. That’s 17 games. I don’t think anybody survives that today. But being the leader when it’s the crunch time and you know where you’re going with the football, that guy’s going to do it and that’s more important than anything else.”
With his massive frame, White is the Raiders’ best running back to shoulder a heavy ground workload. But size isn’t everything, and White will need to be efficient to maintain his grip on running back duties.
The only real threat to White is Mattison, as Las Vegas only has Ameer Abdullah and rookie Dylan Laube behind them. White will get the first chance at the lead back role, but Mattison could take that job away from him if he falters.
