The Las Vegas Raiders, once led by Josh Jacobs, are now facing a dire rushing crisis. After finishing the previous season with a disappointing rushing record, they have sunk to the bottom of the league this year. Blame has been placed on their current running backs like Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, and Ameer Abdullah, yet the root of the problem precedes their arrival. The Raiders' failure to establish a formidable ground game has hindered their quarterbacks' effectiveness, echoing issues seen in their quarterback carousel over the past seasons.

Looking ahead, the Raiders must take a hard look at their draft strategy. Holding the sixth overall pick, they face a critical decision between selecting a quarterback from a weak class or a potential game-changing running back. Given their history and current standing, the latter may be the wiser choice. Strengthening their rushing attack could alleviate pressure from their quarterbacks and improve overall offensive productivity.

The 2024 fantasy football season highlighted several high-profile running backs who fell short of expectations, turning them into significant disappointments for managers. Christian McCaffrey, drafted as the consensus number one pick, struggled with injuries and managed only four appearances, finishing as the RB68. Similarly, Breece Hall, expected to build on a stellar finish in 2023, averaged a career-low in yards and ended up at RB17. Travis Etienne Jr. also disappointed, scoring below 13 PPR points in 14 of 15 games, resulting in a finish at RB35.

Isiah Pacheco's season was marred by injury as well, returning late to finish as RB64. Raheem Mostert saw a significant decline and ended as RB58 due to competition from Tank Bigsby in the Jaguars' backfield. Lastly, Zamir White, who was anticipated to break out as the Raiders' starter, averaged less than four PPR points per game, concluding the season at RB86. These performances raise questions about their future draft viability in 2025.

After the departure of Josh Jacobs, the Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2024 season in search of a new running back. Their initial hope for Zamir White didn't pan out, as he fell short of expectations, while Ameer Abdullah and Alexander Mattison provided only moderate support. Despite some promising moments from Sincere McCormick, the team recognizes the need for a more reliable option. One potential candidate is Najee Harris, whose contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers is set to expire soon. Harris has been linked to the Raiders multiple times due to his impressive performance in previous seasons, but his relatively low average yards per carry raises questions about his fit. With ample cap space, the Raiders may weigh their options and consider addressing their running back needs through free agency or the draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders struggled significantly in their rushing attack during the 2024 season, ranking last in the NFL with an average of just 79.8 yards per game. Following the season, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was dismissed due to his inability to develop an effective ground game, a stark contrast to his successful stint with the Chicago Bears. Analyst and former Raiders running back Maurice Jones-Drew criticized the team's leading rusher, Alexander Mattison, placing him last in the league. Mattison, who took over after Josh Jacobs' departure, only managed to rush for 420 yards, leaving him 53rd among all running backs. Meanwhile, Ameer Abdullah and Sincere McCormick outperformed him, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

The Raiders aimed to revamp their running back lineup as both Mattison and Abdullah are set to hit free agency, creating uncertainty about their returns. This overhaul is crucial for the team’s competitiveness in the upcoming season, especially after a disappointing 2024 campaign.

The Las Vegas Raiders are facing uncertainty at the running back position as multiple players have cycled through the starting role this season. Sincere McCormick, the youngest in the group, has shown promise but has been sidelined due to injury after briefly taking the starting job.

Despite his limited playing time, McCormick ranks second on the team in rushing yards. However, with the team in a rebuilding phase and uncertainty surrounding veteran Alexander Mattison's future, the Raiders may consider bringing in a more established running back to support McCormick's development.