DeAndre Washington

[Phaded]

Latavius Murray is nothing special, he's a replaceable back.

We know that the Raiders were trying to bring someone in; they failed to do so so they brought in DeAndre Washington.

Now you may say; he is "only" a 5th round, but Latavius Murray is a 6th rounder in a contract year and the Raiders are not sold on him.

Then, todays blurb:

Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie talked up fifth-round RB DeAndre Washington, calling him "more than just a third-down back; he's a complete back."

"He can pound it up in there," McKenzie continued. "When he gets out in space, he can make you look silly. He can catch the ball, but he can run between the tackles as well as well as bouncing it outside. We think he’s the total package as a runner."

A lot of people were saying that Helu would take the job from Murray; but after injuries to start the season, he was hampered and that never happened.

McKenzie is evidently very high on him and if the front office feels this strongly about Washington, regardless of draft position - don't be surprised if he gets a legit shot sooner than later.

With that o-line, could be a sneaky late 2nd pick.

[Monkey]

Ssshhh...

I nabbed him at 4.04 in a 12 man superflex and I feel like I got an absolute steal.

[HawkeyeState]

Past about 2.12, you could do a lot worse in a rookie draft than taking him.
He at worst IMO has better receiving chops than Latavius and I can see how he could be a pretty decent interior runner as well. Maybe not down in and down out, but can definitely take touches from Lat

[Phaded]

Ssshhh...

I nabbed him at 4.04 in a 12 man superflex and I feel like I got an absolute steal.

4.04? That is great.

I picked up 3.01 as a throw in of a trade and I think he is probably going to be my target there.

[ninotoreS]

I think McKenzie is just defending his dubious draft pick. They meant to address RB, but for one reason or another had to settle for Washington. I wouldn't get excited. Undersized RBs that also struggle with pass-protection and ball-security are rarely something you want to roll the dice on in dynasty. I'm not necessarily against 200 lbs RBs, but I am against them when they don't have strong 3rd-down skills to make up for it.

[Dookmarriot]

Both DeAndre and Latavius are keeping the seat warm for whatever back they take with a late 1st I 2017.

[koalabear]

I think they're trying to light a fire under Lat. He will be fine as an RB2 this season but I expect him to be replaced in 2017 so trying to sell him.

[HawkeyeState]

I think they're trying to light a fire under Lat. He will be fine as an RB2 this season but I expect him to be replaced in 2017 so trying to sell him.

NFL teams don't waste draft capital to "light a fire" under a player. In fact, lighting a fire aka motivating someone to give more effort, is something NFL coaches do not have time for.
Their jobs are on the line every single day and if they have a "starting" RB that doesn't have a fire/passion/drive to be great, then they aren't using draft capital to motivate him, they are using draft capital on Washington because they think he can contribute to their team and make their team better.

Could that potentially mean they are drafting Washington and saying hey, this kid could be our starter? I think they are absolutely saying that.
Washington could be a special teams role player that is just better than whoever they have in a similar role on their team, but after 2.12 in a rookie draft, there are a lot less worthy fliers than Washington who could end up stealing significant touches from Lat and potentially taking his job.

[Krang]

Past about 2.12, you could do a lot worse in a rookie draft than taking him.
He at worst IMO has better receiving chops than Latavius and I can see how he could be a pretty decent interior runner as well. Maybe not down in and down out, but can definitely take touches from Lat

Taking touches from is different than replacing though (not that you said anything about replacing). Every starting RB in the league has someone taking touches away, it's just the nature of the game. And Murray did have 41 catches last year, which isn't a ton, but it's not nothing either. I do think Murray will be replaced at some point probably, but not by anyone currently on the roster, though as you said, starting at about the late 2nd you could do worse than taking a flier on Washington.

[Phaded]

Both DeAndre and Latavius are keeping the seat warm for whatever back they take with a late 1st I 2017.

I do agree with this - neither Latavius or DeAndre are the long term answer.

Late 1st in 2017 eh...

I'm just saying that I would not be surprised if Washington has more fantasy value than Murray this year. And for what will likely be a 3rd round rookie pick or later, you're usually not getting a solid long term investment anyhow.

[TommyL31]

Yeah, they're the Raiders. They're blind squirrels who occasionally find a nut but they probably didn't this time.

My guess is they were hoping Booker or Dixon would continue to fall and they didn't. They still should have picked either Howard or Perkins I think but that's why they're the Raiders.

[kadun2]

Latavius owners should definitely try to get Washington though. Murray will go balls out in this contract year. If he stays healthy that's a bonus. If not, Washington is a gamer who may be much more than most think he is right now..

[maxhyde]

Yeah, they're the Raiders. They're blind squirrels who occasionally find a nut but they probably didn't this time.

My guess is they were hoping Booker or Dixon would continue to fall and they didn't. They still should have picked either Howard or Perkins I think but that's why they're the Raiders.

Pretty much this.
This is the team that paid Helu a decent amount to come sit inactive half the season

[Kryptonite!]

I got Washington at 4.04 in my 8 team league (equivalent to 3.04 in a 12 team league). I'm not a big believer in Murray and think Washington at least takes the majority of passing down work, catching out of the backfield was a strength in college. I don't expect him to be the lead guy, but at times it seemed Oak would bench Murray for stretches at a time during games as if they weren't pleased with him. If that is indeed the case I could see Washington as the primary rb sooner than later, not a bad flier at that point. As for a good majority of RBs, Murray/Washington could be made worthless with a high 2017 RB pick. Next summer may be time to sell high on a lot of RBs, quite a few may get tre mason'd...

[auggiedoggies]

Why are people so down on Latavius Murray?