The Las Vegas Raiders hired Klint Kubiak this offseason to help renovate the offense. He is known around the league as a premier play-caller, and it was on full display during the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl run. Now he has the chance to help transform one of the worst offenses in the league over the past two seasons.
One area where the Raiders need improvement is the running game. Even with adding first-round pick Ashton Jeanty, they finished 32nd in rushing EPA for the second year in a row, according to Sumer Sports. Kubiak is known for a strong, wide-zone system with his rushing attack. It has led to explosive plays, with Kenneth Walker having 18 rushes of 15 yards or more, the third-most in the NFL. With the addition of Tyler Linderbaum, there is hope that the running game will see a jump in 2026.
During his press conference at the NFL Combine, Kubiak spoke about adding another running back to help Jeanty. In free agency, the Raiders have been dormant with finding a backup rusher, but they have a visit with Najee Harris this week. If they can’t work it out with Harris, expect them to look to the NFL draft for help in the later rounds.
This year, there is a plethora of running backs who can fit the zone scheme Kubiak deploys on Sundays.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
The best fit on the list is Jonah Coleman, running back out of Washington. Coleman is built just like Jeanty at 5’ 8” and 220 pounds. He finished his career with 3000 yards rushing, scoring 34 rushing touchdowns. The former Arizona Wildcat had his most productive season last season, reaching the end zone 15 times
Coleman ran zone concepts on 73% of his rushes with the Huskies. He’s clean with his one-cut, displaying the ability to run the wide zone system effectively and understanding when to bounce as well. He can help in the blocking department, being known for his huge hit on highly touted linebacker Sonny Styles.
Coleman could be a running back who has been taken on day two, as he is one of the higher-rated backs in the draft. A running back at 67 could be too rich for most of Raider Nation.
J’mari Taylor, RB, Virginia
J” Mari Taylor from Virginia is one of the most underrated backs in the draft. He is another running back who has a knack for the end zone. He finished his career with 37 career touchdowns, adding 15 in 2025 and 1064 yards rushing. Taylor is a weapon out of the backfield as well, having 98 catches and 10 touchdowns during his four seasons at the college level.
The North Carolina Central transfer ran zone concepts on 79% of his rushes. Taylor’s vision and cutting ability are perfect for Kubiak’s system, as he is decisive about what to do when he has the ball in his hands. Plus Kubiak could use him a receiver on third down with his great hands and ability to get open against linebackers.
With the buzz around Taylor being low when it comes to his draft position, he could be a steal day 3 for the Raiders. He would be a welcome addition who can help keep the carries down for Jeanty.
Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
The last fit for the Raiders has the most production out of the group. Emmett Johnson had a breakout season in 2026, rushing for 1450 yards, which was 4th overall in the FBS. When Dylan Raiola went down late in the season, Johnson became the workhorse, carrying the offense for the rest of the season.
Johnson was balanced when it came to zone and gap concepts, running the former 54% of the time. While the Nebraska running back is undersized, he is elusive with the ball in his hands, forcing 68 missed tackles in 2026. He blocks well and has the best hands of this group when it comes to catching the football. It makes him a dangerous third-down back in the NFL who turns a checkdown into a first down.
Johnson’s lack of long speed and size might have him fall into day 3. His ability to be a third-down back early on allowed the Raiders flexibility to draft him and find him a good role behind Jeanty.
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