The Oakland Raiders could look at adding some running back depth this offseason for Latavius Murray and Roy Helu and players like Matt Forte, Arian Foster, Marshawn Lynch and Chris Ivory could be potential targets for the team.
The Raiders took some major steps as a franchise in 2015 and the team is looking to be in the playoff hunt next year in the AFC. Derek Carr took a big step forward in his development, while Amari Cooper had a great rookie season, giving the Raiders and explosive option at wide receiver. Khalil Mack showed that he could be one of the best defensive players in the league with his play last season, while Latavius Murray had over 1000 yards in his first season as a starter.
The Raiders are going to have a nice amount of cap space based on projections heading into the offseason and that could open up the team to making some moves on the market. Murray had a strong season, but Roy Helu and Taiwan Jones did not give enough production behind Murray and that could lead the Raiders to add a running back in the draft or in free agency. Matt Forte and Chris Ivory could be potential free agent targets, while Marshawn Lynch and Arian Foster potentially could hit the market if they are released.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans are considering releasing Foster this offseason after the running back missed most of last season with injuries. Foster is coming into the final year of his contract and he is making a non-guaranteed $6.5 million as his salary. Foster has been one of the best running backs in the league for the Texans while healthy, but he has not played a full season for the team since back in 2012. Foster dealt with groin and Achilles injuries last season and that could lead to his release.
Lynch reportedly is considering retirement this offseason, but the Seahawks running backs also could be a cap casualty if he continues playing. According to the Seattle Times, John Schneider thinks that Lynch is leaning towards retirement this offseason, but no decisions have yet been made by the running back. Lynch will cost over $11 million on the salary cap next season and after missing over half the season last year, the Seahawks could consider moving on from the running back.
Matt Forte is hitting free agency and he is not expected to return to the Bears in the offseason. The Raiders may want to target someone that can handle things on third down and catch the ball out of the backfield and Forte could be the perfect option for that. Forte has been one of the most productive backs in football during his career with the Bears and he is one of the best at being a receive rout of the backfield. The Bears look like they are prepared to give Jeremy Langford a chance to start and that could lead Forte to sign with another team this offseason.
