After finishing the 2019 season with a 7-9 record and missing the postseason, the Las Vegas Raiders knew they needed to make a number of roster changes to get back in contention in 2020.
They had plenty of ammo to do that, holding more than $58 million in cap space and two first-round picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they were able to address a number of needs with that.
Running back wasn’t a huge need for the Raiders considering they have one of the best young ball carriers in the league in Josh Jacobs. Filling out depth at the position was necessary though, especially after DeAndre Washington departed in free agency by signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Raiders did bring back a familiar face by inking Jalen Richard to a two-year extension, while also re-signing Rod Smith and drafting and offensive swiss army knife in Lynn Bowden out of Kentucky in the third round. Raiders general manager Mike Mayock recently said they plan to utilize Bowden as a running back.
It appears the team felt they still needed more depth at the position though as according to Sean Cunningham of ABC, former Denver Broncos running back Devontae Booker intends to sign with Las Vegas:
RB Devontae Booker, the Sacramento native (Grant HS), formerly of the Denver Broncos, intends to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders – pending physical, sources tell me.
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) May 7, 2020
Booker is a former fourth-round pick by the Broncos that has four years of NFL experience, so should bring a bit of a veteran presence to a young running back room.
While the Broncos have utilized him as a change-of-pace back in the past, he only had two carries and six receptions in 16 games in 2019, so did not get much playing time. He has 105 career receptions in 61 games though so could fill that role for Las Vegas if needed.
As it currently stands, Booker will likely be fourth on the Raiders’ running back depth chart. With the potential for injuries though, having a veteran capable of stepping in is never a bad thing for a team with desires of competing.
