Despite finishing 7-9 in 2019, the future is very bright for the Las Vegas Raiders as they have a number of promising young players in the organization in addition to a boatload of draft picks and cap space.
Raiders general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden have already begun putting that cap space to use to retain some of their own players, inking left guard Richie Incognito and cornerback Nevin Lawson to extensions.
It appears they are not done handing out extensions as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that they are signing running back Jalen Richard to a two-year deal to keep him on the team:
The #Raiders and RB Jalen Richard have agreed to terms on a contract extension that he’ll sign shortly, source said. The third-down back was a pass-catching weapon out of the backfield. Now, he stays in the fold in Vegas.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2020
The #Raiders are giving RB Jalen Richard a 2-year deal worth $7 million, source said. He gets up to $8 million with $4.6 million fully guaranteed. A nice deal for the third-down back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 5, 2020
The Raiders originally signed Richard as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi in 2016 and he has developed into a reliable third-down back in his four seasons with the team.
In 16 games in 2019, Richard carried the ball 39 times for 145 yards. His real damage comes in the passing game though as he hauled in 36 receptions for 323 yards.
Both Richard and DeAndre Washington split duties as Josh Jacobs’ primary backup this past season. Washington is also a free agent though, so if they do not bring him back then Richard could take on an even bigger role in 2020.
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