Raiders: Zamir White and Brittain Brown are lucky winners from Josh Jacobs' absence
The Las Vegas Raiders’ backups are finally getting a chance to run with the first team.
Having a running back as good as Josh Jacobs is a blessing and a curse.
His skill commands attention. And his prowess demands first-team reps. But because of Jacobs' contract situation, the two-time Pro Bowler hasn't been attending the Las Vegas Raiders' offseason team activities. And backup running backs Zamir White and Brittain Brown are better for his absence.
“We always talk about your role is what you make it, and I think there’s there hasn’t been a greater opportunity than the one in the running back room for those young players like Zamir and Brittain,” offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi said after practice Wednesday. “So, they’ve gotten a lot of reps, they’ve gotten a lot of exposure, they’ve learned a lot, so there’s no hiding anymore.
“The young players, they sometimes need to learn how to fail to succeed, and I think it’s really what you’re seeing. And look, I’m not saying Zamir and Brittain go out there and mess up every play, I’m not saying that at all, but look just like you (when) do anything new, you go out there and you learn from your mistakes. And being able to do that and fix their mistakes I think is what they’re able to do this spring and they’re doing a great job of that.”
In White's rookie year, he only totaled 17 carries for 70 yards. Meanwhile, Brown experienced little on-field action after making the team following being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft.
White and Brown were both formidable college football players. Brown, playing at Duke and UCLA, amassed 2,715 yards from the line of scrimmage and 23 touchdowns. White, with Georgia, tallied 2,175 yards from the line of scrimmage and 25 touchdowns.
Due to how well Jacobs played in the 2022 season, both young running backs didn't have much opportunity to prove themselves at the NFL level.
With Jacobs skipping out on offseason activities, they are now enjoying first-team reps, which would have been slim pickings had Jacobs been available.
Left guard Dylan Parham, also a rookie in the 2022 season, explained that he is excited that Brown and White are receiving an opportunity to prove themselves with the first team throughout the offseason.
“They’re definitely taking those opportunities to be able to get those reps and I think they’re trying to hone in on that,” he said. “They’re working hard, obviously. A lot of good young guys. I feel like they’re taking those moments and opportunities and they’re doing really well with them.”
In a roundabout way, Jacobs' absence is helping the Raiders with their running back depth. If Jacobs returns, White and Brown will be better backups because of the time they've played with the first-teamers throughout offseason workouts.
Feature image via Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports.
