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Position Review: Running Backs

Overview:2015 marked a changing of the guard at the running back position for the Oakland Raiders.

It was the first season since 2007 that Darren McFadden wasn't lining up in the backfield for the Silver and Black, and it was also the first season that Latavius Murray handled the majority of the rushing responsibilities.

Murray performed well in his first extended run as the primary back for the Raiders, finishing the season ranked second in the AFC and sixth in the NFL in rushing with 1,066 yards on 266 attempts, both which served as career highs.

In the process, the University of Central Florida-product also earned a trip to his first Pro Bowl in Hawaii, and also became the first Raider to rush for over 1,000 yards since McFadden in 2010.

However, after Murray, there wasn't a ton of production from the rest of the position group, as quarterback Derek Carr was the second leading rusher on the team with 138 yards on the ground.

By The Numbers:In 2015, Murray became the first Raider with six-plus rushing touchdowns in a season since Rashad Jennings (six) in 2013.

Going Forward:Headed into 2016, the Raiders appear poised to bring back the full complement of running backs they boasted in 2015, and maybe add one or two to the mix.

Yes, Murray was impressive in his first season as the primary back for the Raiders, but he didn't really get any help from the rest of the roster.

As we mentioned earlier, after Murray, Carr was the team's leading rusher, and that simply shouldn't be the case going forward.

General Manager Reggie McKenzie signed Roy Helu, Jr., last offseason to provide a change of pace and dynamic option on third down, but the former Washington Redskin only appeared in nine games, carrying the ball 17 times and catching nine passes.

Take a look at some of the top prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft in action.

Jamize Olawale, Taiwan Jones and Marcel Reece also got in the mix in 2015, but no member of that trio was able to emerge as a consistent second option for offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and the Raiders.

In today's NFL, most teams have a bevy of running backs to help ignite the run game, but last season the Raiders Murray was asked to carry nearly all of the burden.

Going forward the team will have to find a second option to help complement Murray, whether that is through the Draft or free agency, or if it's a player currently on the roster who just needs another opportunity.

*Standout Performer: *Latavius Murray.

In his first season handling the bulk of the responsibilities for the Raiders, Murray was impressive.

He became the first Raider to hit the 1,000-yard mark since 2010 and provided a solid option on the ground for the Silver and Black offense.

It was a quality beginning for Murray as the featured back for the Raiders, and the 2015 season gave him some invaluable experience for the future.

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