After relying on Josh Jacobs to handle most of the running back duties for five years, the Las Vegas Raiders decided to move on this offseason. Zamir White is expected to step in as his replacement, although he has only started four games in his career.
While there are high hopes for White, his performance this season is uncertain. If he ends up being more suited to an RB2 role, the Raiders may need to address their running back situation in 2025. Bleacher Report suggests that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris could be a perfect fit.
“The Raiders are hoping that Zamir White will seize the RB1 role and excel,” wrote Alex Ballentine in a September 2 column. “This is a reasonable expectation for a third-year running back who performed adequately as the team’s second option last season. They also brought in Alexander Mattison to help share the workload.
“However, there’s a possibility that this duo won’t provide the offensive punch that coach Luke Getsy is looking for. In that case, an upgrade could be necessary, and Najee Harris would be a talented back likely to be available. The Steelers will probably need to choose between Harris and Jaylen Warren, as both are set to become free agents.”
How Much Is Najee Harris Going to Get Paid?
If the Raiders weren’t willing to pay big money to Jacobs in free agency, they’re even less likely to do so for Harris. As a former first-round pick, Harris is set to become a free agent and will likely be one of the top running backs available.
Harris has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons and was a Pro Bowler in 2021. However, the Steelers declined his fifth-year option this offseason, indicating they don’t value him enough to invest long-term. If his own team isn’t willing to pay, it’s unlikely he’ll land a big contract in free agency.
The Raiders don’t appear interested in paying running backs $10 million or more per season, but if Harris’s asking price is lower, he could be a potential fit.
Zamir White Named X-Factor for 2024
White has a significant chance this season to make a name for himself in the NFL. The Raiders are expected to rely heavily on their running game, so they need strong performances from their running backs. Ben Solak of ESPN recently identified White as the Raiders’ biggest X-factor for the upcoming season.
“In the past two seasons combined, no player had more touches per game than Jacobs,” Solak noted in an August 30 article. “White must show he can handle that level of workload, which is a crucial skill in today’s era of rotating backfields. Even if the role ends up being split between White and Alexander Mattison, we already know what Mattison brings to the table. White, with his breakaway speed, will be the one to deliver explosive plays. If he proves to be a starting-quality back, the offense will have the necessary players to support a good quarterback’s success in Las Vegas — whenever that quarterback arrives.”
If White performs well this season, he’ll likely secure the starting role again next year.
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