The Oakland Raiders are hoping to make the run game a focal point of the offense in 2014. Without a leading wide receiver for Matt Schaub to use as a safety blanket, Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew become vital for the survival of the offense in the upcoming season. The Raiders signed both backs in hopes that they can push one another to improve which is good news for fantasy football owners.
Jones-Drew and McFadden have been somewhat brushed off when it comes to fantasy football. Both backs struggled with injuries and consistency, putting up career lows the past two seasons. Jones-Drew has seen his yards per carry average drop while McFadden has yet to play a full season for Oakland. Now both on the roster, battling for playing time, the Raiders and fantasy owners could be repaid.
Left tackle Donald Penn made an appearance on NFL Radio stating that the Raiders are more committed than ever to running the ball in 2014. He said, "We're gonna run the ball, run the ball, the run it again, until the defense stops us."
The Raiders have the weapons to make this happen. Their offensive line will be much stronger. Schaub will be a consistent at quarterback meaning the offense will run in sync during the season. He is a quality passing player that can use Jones-Drew and McFadden in multiple ways. Statistically speaking, both Jones-Drew and McFadden play better when they get more carries per game. If they can both put up around 200 carries, the Raiders rushing attack could mirror that of a team like the Buffalo Bills who utilized Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller that much.
There will be a running back competition heading into training camp, but Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times is reporting that McFadden will begin as the starter. However, given both player's history, fantasy owners can expect equal carries for both McFadden and Jones-Drew. Head coach Dennis Allen views McFadden as the more athletic of the two, even considering using him as a kick returner on some occasions. But his injury history works in the favor of Jones-Drew who can expect a solid amount of playing time given that McFadden has not played more than 13 games in a season since 2010.
Schaub will be wise to rely more on the ground game. Right now, the wide receiving corps is relatively unproven. The depth chart has yet to be decided despite the top three players from last season returning. Additions with James Jones and Greg Little shake up the position group in a good way.
