The Las Vegas Raiders had the worst running offense in the NFL last season and they haven’t done anything to remedy it this offseason. The only notable move they made was signing veteran running back Raheem Mostert.
While Mostert is an experienced player, he makes a lot more sense as the No. 2 option. Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report outlined why the Raiders need an overhaul.
“Las Vegas’ backfield is likely the worst. Raheem Mostert, who will be 33 in April, heads the unit,” Moton wrote in a March 21 piece. “Sincere McCormick impressed in a few games last season, but he sustained a season-ending ankle injury and remains an untested talent.
“Even though the Raiders could double up on a strong incoming class of rookie running backs, they can also consider a veteran upgrade over Mostert.”
The Raiders have been linked to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the 2025 NFL Draft, but the No. 6 pick is probably too high to take him. Moton feels Las Vegas might pursue another famous running back. He proposed a trade in which the Seattle Seahawks would receive a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for running back Kenneth Walker.
Walker has obvious ties to the Raiders head coach.
Walker, a second-round choice, got off to a blazing start in the NFL, rushing for 1,050 yards as a rookie. He was also quite touted coming out of college, so there were huge hopes for him.
He has not been able to meet such expectations. He carried for only 905 yards in Year 2 and dropped to 573 yards in 2024, missing six games due to injury. However, incoming Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is familiar with Walker and may advocate for a trade.
“Raiders head coach Pete Carroll can call his former team and inquire about Kenneth Walker III,” Moton stated in an email. “Seattle may be willing to part ways with the 24-year-old due to his poor output and recent injuries. His rushing numbers have dropped since his first season in 2022.
“The 2022 second-rounder also missed four games in his first two campaigns and six outings last season.”
A sixth-round pick isn’t a high price to pay for a running back with Walker’s potential, but he is entering a contract year and will most certainly want to be compensated.
Should the Raiders draft Ashton Jeanty?
While this deal for Walker would be low-risk, there is no assurance that he will be able to improve the Raiders’ running game. Jeanty recently demonstrated his ability to be extremely productive while having limited offensive skill surrounding him.
At this point, nearly every popular mock draft suggests that the Raiders will select the star running back, as projected by NFL.com’s Chad Reuter.
“It’s no secret that new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll prefers to run the ball. Jeanty will most likely pound the rock 20-25 times each game, running through contact and exploding for massive gains in the open field, according to a recent mock draft from Reuter.
Taking a running back at No. 6 would be a bold move but Jeanty is one of the best running backs to come out of college in recent years. That said, the Raiders aren’t really in a position to use such a valuable pick on a running back when they have so many other needs.
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