The Las Vegas Raiders may have found a backfield gem in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., out of Arkansas, is poised to step into the role of the team's secondary rusher next season—and that means serious opportunities to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball.

Let's talk about the numbers from last season. The Raiders' rushing attack was heavily one-sided. Ashton Jeanty dominated the workload with 266 carries out of the team's total 369 rushing attempts. That's a staggering share. To put it in perspective, the next closest running back, Raheem Mostert, had just 22 carries. Zamir White added a handful more, but the overall distribution left little room for anyone else.

Jeanty, a hungry young back, nearly cracked the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2025, finishing with 975 yards. Expect more of the same from him in 2026. However, the Raiders as a team ran the ball only 369 times last season—second-fewest in the entire league. That's a stat that screams for improvement, and it's a clear signal that offensive coordinator will look to diversify the backfield.

Enter Mike Washington Jr. The Raiders should create more designed opportunities for him in the offense. He'll also inherit the 34 carries that Mostert and White combined for last season, giving him a solid foundation to build on.

It's reasonable to project Las Vegas running the ball north of 430 times in 2026. Washington brings a mix of size, shiftiness, and speed that should translate well. He averaged five yards per carry over five college seasons at Arkansas, and while the jump to NFL defenses is always a challenge, the Raiders have made moves to help him succeed.

One key upgrade? The signing of center Tyler Linderbaum. Last season, Jeanty was held to just 3.7 yards per carry, partly due to struggles along the offensive line. Linderbaum's arrival, combined with better coaching, should open up running lanes up the middle—exactly where Washington can exploit them.

So, what do the numbers look like? If Washington gets around 88 carries, he projects to rush for approximately 381 yards and three touchdowns. That's a solid rookie contribution, especially as a secondary back. With his college pedigree and the Raiders' offensive improvements, 2026 could be the year Washington Jr. makes a name for himself in Sin City.