Jon Gruden’s disaster season in Oakland got even worse on Friday afternoon, when Ian Rapoport broke the news that the Raiders would be without Marshawn Lynch for up to a month, and maybe even longer, with a groin injury. The 32-year old running back has been one of the few bright spots for the Raiders, rushing for 376 yards on just 90 carries — a 4.2 YPC average. Not bad for a running back over 30. With Lynch on the shelf for at least a month, Gruden will turn to the uninspiring Doug Martin and the young and spry Jalen Richard, who has transformed into one of the better pass-catching backs this season. So, what will we see out of this backfield with Lynch out of commission? With dinosaur Gruden at the helm, we should only hope for the best, but expect the worst.
Martin, one of the bigger RSJ busts of 2017, has done jack shit since 2015. Coincidentally, that was the last season where the ‘Muscle Hamster’ averaged over three yards a clip. How pathetic. On 27 carries this season, Martin has totaled a whopping 99 yards and has yet to find the end zone. He’s been a complete and utter disaster since his 1,400 yard season, and we don’t expect him to suddenly produce in Lynch’s absence — although the Raiders’ incompetent coaching staff couldn’t stop pumping his tires in the preseason.
On the flip side, we have Richard. He’s full of youth and potential, which is just the type of football player that Gruden despises. He’s only carried the ball 11 times, but already has a career-high 31 receptions on the season for 253 yards. He’s going to continue to catch the ball out of the backfield, but will likely be second in the pecking order for carries.
Unfortunately, Martin needs to be added (20% owned) just because of the sheer volume that he’ll see in Lynch’s role. But if you’re looking for more upside, Richard is the one to target on the waiver wire. Scoop up Richard now (81% available) while the Raiders are on the bye, before the sheep go scurrying to their respective waiver wires next Tuesday. Hopefully Gruden doesn’t screw this up.
