The Las Vegas Raiders plan to release backup running back, Kenyan Drake according to reports out of the NFL. Last season he was the complimentary piece behind starting running back Josh Jacobs, but now he will be a free agent assuming he clears waivers. The Las Vegas Raiders are expected to have Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White serve as the backup running backs now that the team plans to release Drake. The veteran running back lost ground on the depth chart during training camp and the preseason.
The #Raiders plan to release veteran RB Kenyan Drake, per source. pic.twitter.com/4qFTc9ogbX
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2022
Last season with the Las Vegas Raiders, Kenyan Drake rushed the ball 63 times for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded 30 receptions for 291 yards and one touchdown. Drake fumbled just one-time last season. The Raiders did not get the level of production they were expecting out of him last season and have decided to move on from the veteran running back this season. There will likely be at least a handful of teams interested in his services this season once he is released and clears waivers. A team could also choose to claim him off waivers should they decide he is worth his current salary.
Kenyan Drake got $5.5 million in the spring from the #Raiders and is owed $2.5 million guaranteed this season (minus what his next team pays him). But that was money the previous regime negotiated. New regime decided to move on.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 22, 2022
The Las Vegas Raiders are hoping to win the AFC West this season and compete for a Super Bowl in the 2023 NFL Playoffs. Kenyan Drake ended up not being a part of those plans this season. His level of play could still be valuable to some teams in the NFL moving forward.
