The Oakland Raiders are heading into the 2013 season with high expectations after Reggie McKenzie put together a solid roster after dealing with some financial issues and one question that will be on everyone's mind is whether the team will sign, extend or trade running back Darren McFadden next season.
McFadden's contract is up after this season and since the running back has not been able to stay healthy for a full year since coming into the league, the Raiders will be weary of giving him another long-term deal. The running back position is important, but in recent years teams have been able to get production from cheap players and if McFadden can't prove that he can stay healthy, there is a good chance the Raiders will trade him or let him walk after the season.
McFadden signed a six-year, $60 million contract after being drafted by the Raiders, but since coming into the NFL he has not played a full season and last year he played in just 12 games while dealing with injuries. When he is on the field, McFadden is a supreme talent and he has shown that he can run with explosive speed and catch the ball out of the backfield, but if he can't stay on the field, it leaves the Raiders with few options. According to Rant Sports, the best option may be to trade the running back, as he has been mostly a disappointment and since he is a free agent, it would be best to get some compensation for him.
The Raiders have a solid option in Rashad Jennings or Latavius Murray to take over at running back, as Jennings showed some flashes over the past few years and Murray has an upside after being drafted this past season. A number of teams likely will need running backs and since the Raiders are changing their running scheme this year, that could play into it as well. McFadden has yet to play in more than 13 games in any season in his career and he played in seven in 2011 and 12 last season, which came after 2010, his best career year.
Over the past two seasons he has missed 13 games and despite leading the team in rushing with 707 yards last season, the Raiders have been waiting for a repeat of 2012, when he had had 1,157 yards rushing and a career high seven touchdowns. McFadden has been a threat out of the backfield with over 40 catches in 2010 and 2012, but if he can't keep that up this season he may be on his way out. The Raiders had Marcel Reece last year and while they have depth this season, they are hoping he can stay healthy for the full schedule. He has scored just six touchdowns over the past two years and the team ranked 28th in rushing last season, meaning they need stiff improvements.
The team acquired Matt Flynn and signed a number of players on defense, including Charles Woodson and Nick Roach and the team is expecting big improvements from last year's 4-12 squad. The Raiders could make some noise in the AFC West, but the biggest issue will be if McFadden can remain healthy.
