Nov 1, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington Jr (4) rushes during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images Ashton Jeanty.

Dylan Laube. Chris Collier. That’s the trio of running backs currently on the Las Vegas Raiders roster. And if you are concerned about the depth behind Jeanty — a workhorse-type tailback the Silver & Black took with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — I don’t blame you.

Having Laube — a sixth-round pick from the 2024 draft — and Collier — an undrafted free agent from the 2024 class — isn’t ideal. But that’s where Las Vegas sits, a pair of 26-year-olds that haven’t quite found footing in the pros behind the young do-it-all Jeanty. To compare the trio, Laube and Collier have a combined 13 carries for 20 yards in the pros compared to Jeanty’s 266 totes for 975 yards and five touchdowns last season.

While head coach Klint Kubiak and his coaching staff can give Laube and Collier a run at backing up Jeanty, the team expressed interest in veteran free agent tailback Najee Harris and the former Pittsburgh Steeler and (most recently) Los Angeles Charger did visit Las Vegas in early April. So the Silver & Black appear eager to bolster the running back room. This upcoming 2026 draft is an opportune time to add a complementary option to their top pick in last year’s excursion.

I’ll be focusing on mid- to late-round prospects that can operate in the zone blocking scheme Kubiak and his offensive line coach Rick Dennison are installing in Las Vegas. An example of a more heralded prospect not on the list is Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price, who has the patience, anticipation, and vision to excel as a zone runner. He’s projected to be a a fringe first-round/second-round talent.

So let’s get right to it: Mike Washington Jr. is a bit of a boom or bust prospect, but I feel confident that he will boom in the right situation pic.twitter.com/3wnzfb2jug— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 11, 2026Mike Washington Jr., ArkansasDraft projection: Third Round. 2025 Stats: 12 games, 167 carries, 1,070 yards, 8 touchdowns; 28 receptions, 226 yards, 1 touchdownWell built at 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds, this tailback started his collegiate career with Buffalo (MAC) in 2021 before landing with New Mexico State (CUSA) in 2024 and finally Arkansas (SEC) this past season. And at each stop, Washington showed progression including a standout final year against SEC competition.

With a blend of size and speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine), Washington smoothly glides around traffic and has the breakaway speed in the open field to take it to the house. Comfortable and capable running inside or outside, Washington reads blocks well, moves fluidly behind them, and is able to drive through tacklers and fall forwards for more yardage. A coaching staff that gets Washington to consistently play his size — with the ball in his hands and in pass protection — gets a size/speed prospect that can handle carries and be an excellent rotational option.

Jonah Coleman, WashingtonDraft projection: Fourth Round2025 Stats: 12 games, 156 carries, 758 yards, 15 touchdowns; 31 receptions, 354 yards, 2 touchdownsCompact but sturdy at 5-foot-8 and 220 pounds, this running back showcased a supreme nose for the end zone in his senior season for the Huskies with 17 total end zone visits in 2025. Coleman will remind folks a bit of Jeanty as both have low center of gravity, are slippery when you try to tackle them, and are able to play all three downs due to blocking ability. In fact, that’s one of the endearing traits of Coleman as he as an innate understanding of note only blocking schemes he’ll run behind, but he takes pride in pass protection duties as a running back.

Patient and allowing blocks to develop in front of him, Coleman may not have the breakaway speed, but he has the burst to be a chain mover and bruiser alongside being a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield. Washington RB Jonah Coleman on why pass protection as a RB is important: “You not gonna play if you can’t pass pro. It’s simple.

I’m paying $100M [to a QB], you’re getting paid $2M. Who’s more important?” pic.twitter.com/p5Whhr7RoO— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 27, 2026Nicholas Singleton, Penn StateDraft projection: Fourth Round 2025 Stats: 12 games, 549 yards, 13 touchdowns; 24 receptions, 219 yards, 1 touchdownA size/speed prospect at 6-feet, 219 pounds, halfback exploded onto the scene with an impressive freshman campaign in 2022 (1,061 yards, 12 touchdowns, on 156 carries) but had a flat senior year to close out his collegiate career in 2025. While he did find the end zone 14 total times, the same explosiveness that was present in years prior was rare in 2025. He’ll remind Raider Nation a lot of former Raiders running back Justin Fargas in terms of speed, power, and reckl