3 Veteran Running Backs the Raiders Could Sign as Insurance For Josh Jacobs

Running back is generally one of the more vulnerable positions to injury in football, due to the natural wear and tear of being tackled and handling a significant number of touches per game. Many franchises have transitioned to a dual-back approach in recent years because of this.

So far, the Las Vegas Raiders are not one of them, marking second-year pro Josh Jacobs as the full-time starter. Currently, the depth chart lists Jalen Richard, rookie Lynn Bowden Jr., new addition Devontae Booker and journeyman Rod Smith as the most viable backups behind Jacobs.

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Aside from Smith though, these backs are all third-down options who specialize in passing formations. The Raiders could still use another between-the-tackles runner to take some of the load off their star, and here are the best fits available in free agency.

3. Alfred Blue

Injuries derailed Blue's opportunity to backup Leonard Fournette, but could he backup Jacobs? / Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Waived from the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing most of the 2019 season with an ankle injury, Alfred Blue now finds himself without a job. The power rusher was always more of a spell-back bruiser, and he could be exactly that for the Raiders. Last year the team signed Isaiah Crowell to play a similar role, but an Achilles tear in preseason left a vacancy for Vegas. Blue is an upgrade from Rod Smith, but shouldn't break the bank averaging 3.6 yards per carry (YPC) throughout his career.

2. Lamar Miller

Smaller than Jacobs, but still an early-down rusher looking for a chance to make a comeback. / Rob Leiter/Getty Images

Lamar Miller's name may garner a higher price-tag than Blue, but the former Miami Dolphins/Houston Texans star is coming off major injury and an entire season away from the league. He may not be ready for a heavy workload anyway, so backing up a bell-cow like Jacobs could be the perfect opportunity for Miller to try and make a return. Miller has 5,864 rush yards in seven seasons, and 55.8 rush yards per game (YPG).

1. C.J. Anderson

C.J. Anderson had a rough 2019, but his 2018 role behind Gurley is exactly what the Raiders need behind Jacobs. / Norm Hall/Getty Images

If you want a player on the roster that is extremely similar to Jacobs, C.J. Anderson may be the guy. He spent a lot of time as a starter with the Denver Broncos during the Peyton Manning years and beyond. Since then he has bounced around with the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams (spelling Todd Gurley successfully during their NFC Championship run) and Detroit Lions. Anderson's brief stint with the Lions was ineffective, and he has yet to receive another opportunity after it, but the Raiders could be the perfect fit. Averaging 4.5 YPC and 49.3 YPG on the ground throughout his career, Anderson can move the ball successfully behind a competent offensive line.

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Michael Obermuller is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Michael Obermuller also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username king_mizzard. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.