Raiders Know the Value of a Quality Ground Game

"The timing, perhaps, isn’t coincidental. Raiders first-year general manager John Spytek watched what Barkley did last year in his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles, whose Super Bowl run he anchored. Spytek thought back to his own time as a University of Michigan outside linebacker and considered league wisdom on how to maximize first-round draft picks. Then he ignored it.

Epstein noted Spytek's words in the team's pre-draft press conference, explaining his thoughts on the running back position. Specifically, Spytek shared his thoughts on what a talented running back can do for a team. While their roster is better, the reigning Super Bowl champions can attest.

“I just don’t know where we got to a place where we don’t feel like running backs are valued. We just saw Saquon Barkley change the Eagles in one year, and now they had a great team around them, and it was adding an elite player. When you sit where we sit, the idea is to add elite players at any position. I don’t try to devalue any certain position," Spytek said.

There is reason to believe the Raiders will be a better team this upcoming season after addressing most of their top needs entering the offseason. In his first offseason with the team, Spytek has revamped the team's biggest weakness. While there is still work to do, plenty has been done.

While their moves in free agency were quietly efficient, after the addition of their latest draft class, Las Vegas has had a solid offseason overall.