The Oakland Raiders could be in the market for some running back help this offseason and players like Derrick Henry, Ezekiel Elliott, Marshawn Lynch, Arian Foster and Matt Forte could be potential targets to back up Latavius Murray.
The Raiders took some steps forward in 2015 and that could spark the team to make some moves on offense heading into next season. The team has a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, while Latavius Murray showed that he can handle being a starting running back in the NFL. While Murray was impressive and rushed for over 1000 yards last season, the Raiders did not get enough from the position and ranked near the bottom of the league in overall rushing yards.
Roy Helu was signed in the offseason to be a backup for Murray and a third down back, but he did not do much and that could lead the team to consider adding another RB behind Murray for 2016. The Raiders have a mid-round pick in the first round of the draft and at number 14 they could consider adding a running back. Mel Kiper at ESPN has the team picking lineman Jack Conklin, but the team also could take a look at players like Derrick Henry and Ezekiel Elliott.
The free agent class for 2016 is deep at the running back position and players like Matt Forte, Ronnie Hillman, LeGarrette Blount, Chris Ivory and James Starks could be potential fits for the Raiders. Foster is expected to be released by the Texans this offseason and could be an option, while Lynch also could be a fit if he is let go by the Seahawks. Both players have high contract numbers for next season and are coming off of injuries and those factors could lead to the running backs getting released.
The draft offers some options for the Raiders, as Elliott and Henry were two of the most productive running backs in college last season. Henry is coming off of a Heisman trophy win and he rushed for over 2000 yards along with 25 touchdowns for Alabama. Elliott comes in after rushing for over 1800 yards and scored 23 TDs for Ohio State. The team also could consider picking an RB in the later rounds, as players like Devontae Booker, Paul Perkins, Alex Collins, DJ Foster and Kenyan Drake also could be solid options coming out of college.
Chris Simms at Bleacher Report spoke about the potential of Foster joining the Raiders and said that he could be an "immediate upgrade" over Roy Helu Jr. and Taiwan Jones. Foster, if healthy, could be a great fit, as he can catch the ball out of the backfield and can handle pass blocking situations for the Raiders. Foster likely will not be able to be an every down back anymore and being a backup for Murray could be a solid way to move on if he is released by the Texans.