How much work will Drake get?
By Jared Smola |
Updated on Fri, 17 Sep 2021, 7:07 PM EDT
When asked Friday whether RB Josh Jacobs' absence means a bigger opportunity for RB Kenyan Drake, Raiders HC Jon Gruden instead talked up RB Peyton Barber. "It's an opportunity for Peyton Barber," Gruden said, evidently seriously. "We think he's a heck of a back coming from Tampa. I've had a chance to really get behind the scenes on him. I like the way he runs and catches and picks up blitzes. Kenyan will continue to play a role in our system no matter who the other back is. We're excited about this opportunity to see what we have." We'd be very surprised if Barber out-carried Drake in Pittsburgh on Sunday -- especially consider Vegas just gave Drake a 2-year, $11 million deal in free agency. But it at least sounds like we shouldn't expect Drake to step into a true every-down role.