Oakland Raiders: Top three breakout player candidates

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Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Richard Jalen (30) in action against the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jalen Richard, Running Back

Jalen Richard played just around 20 percent of the offensive snaps for the Oakland Raiders a season ago, but they were impactful snaps.

He caught over 74 percent of his targets in the passing game, and averaged nearly six yards per carry on 83 rushing attempts, proving to be a very valuable backup running back to Latavius Murray and a big play threat.

Jalen Richard of the @RAIDERS was the NFL's most elusive running back in 2016. pic.twitter.com/9LtTXlXGoM
— PFF (@PFF) June 15, 2017

Marshawn Lynch is certain to draw everyone’s attention as the Raiders’ most famous running back, but I think it’s going to be Richard that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep at night. He’s going to prove himself even more this season as a receiver, and obviously as an open-field runner, he’s extremely dangerous.

The Raiders will find a way to increase his snap count and give fans another reason to be thrilled about this stellar offense.

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