Since the Las Vegas Raiders drafted Lynn Bowden Jr. with the No. 80 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, rumors have swirled as to how Coach Gruden and the Raiders' offensive braintrust will use the former Kentucky Wildcat.
Bowden, who won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile college football player, famously took over at quarterback halfway through his senior season and set a slew of program records while also leading Kentucky in both rushing and receiving. His 160.7 all-purpose yards per game ranked fifth in the country. So there's no doubt that Bowden can do a little bit of everything.
But how will that translate onto an NFL field?
"Right now, we have him working out of the running backs room," Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson told reporters Tuesday. "He's meeting with Kirby Wilson, the running backs coach, but also he's had to learn a lot of things that we do at the quarterback position."
That's a welcome development to any fan who has seen NFL offenses succeed of late with dynamic, almost "position-less" players, something Olson acknowledged.
"You see the game changing from year to year, the use of the RPOs (run-pass options) and the use of the Taysom Hills, those type of players that played the RPO-style offense in college, they become valuable."
GM Mike Mayock was clear in the wake of the draft that Bowden would line up as a running back for the Raiders, first and foremost. But as Olson says, don't be surprised to see him also line up under center on occasion.
"We believe that he can transition and be a running back, as well as do some of those plays at the quarterback position that he did in college."
Hit the field at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson, Nev., as the Raiders gear up for another day of workouts.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) and offensive lineman Eric Kush (69) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) and fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Damarious Randall (23) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Prince Amukamara (21) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Dylan Mabin (37) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (41) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebackers coach David Lippincott on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Nick Usher (59) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (91) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kendal Vickers (78) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib (94) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
The Las Vegas Raiders offensive line on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant defensive backs coach Taver Johnson on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) huddles the offense on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Rod Smith (36) and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
A Las Vegas Raiders player on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Jeremy Hill (39) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El (17) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Madre Harper (43) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kamaal Seymour (63) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Sam Young (70) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Denzelle Good (71) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard John Simpson (76) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive line coach Rod Marinelli on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) and tight ends coach Frank Smith on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83), offensive line coach Tom Cable and tight end Foster Moreau (87) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Prince Amukamara (21) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) and wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) and quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) on the field for a walk through at 2020 Training Camp.
