The Las Vegas Raiders are going to have a very different-looking backfield next season aside from Ashton Jeanty, which could include undrafted free agent RB Roman Hemby.
Hemby, 6’0″ and 207 lbs, was part of a two-headed backfield in Indiana that included Kaelon Black, the San Francisco 49ers’ third-round pick, yet Hemby racked up 1,120 rushing yards and 165 receiving yards last year.
And despite the Raiders drafting Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. in the fourth round, Bleacher Report believes Hemby has a good shot at making the 53-man roster.
Raiders UDFA Roman Hemby Projected to Beat Out Dylan Laube, Chris Collier for Roster Spot
GettyFernando Mendoza #15 and Roman Hemby #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrate after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 38-3 in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl Stadium.
BR wrote more on why they believe Hemby has the best chance out of all the Raiders’ UFDAs to make the team.
“Sure, the Hoosiers connection is meaningful, but the Raiders aren’t exactly stacked with backfield depth behind Jeanty and Washington. The 5’11⅞”, 207-pound Hemby is well-suited to complement the faster Washington and the do-it-all skill set of Jeanty.
‘Hard-charging runner with average vision/burst but good decisiveness and the ability to finish through contact,’ NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein wrote. ‘Hemby is wired for hard running inside.’
His rapport with [Fernando] Mendoza may get him into Raiders camp, but his traits should allow him to beat out the likes of Dylan Laube and Chris Collier for a roster spot.”
Hemby’s strong suit (pass protection, ball security, tough runner) should give him a chance to make the roster more than just his connection with Mendoza.
“He is a decisive runner with acceleration to clear holes and get downhill,” Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote regarding Hemby. “His pass-catching ability and contributions as a kick returner could help separate him at the back end of an NFL running back depth chart.”
A dynamic playmaker staying tied to Fernando Mendoza 👀
Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr. Comment on Teaming Up
On a livestream, Jeanty shared his thoughts on the Raiders drafting Washington to be his wingman for the upcoming season.
“I feel good about Mike Washington,” Jeanty said. “I think our run styles will definitely complement each other. I’m excited for when he gets in the building. We can build this rushing attack and do something special.”
Washington had similar thoughts about teaming up with Jeanty in Las Vegas.
“I’m super excited to get rolling with him. All I could think of is thunder and lightning, so I’m excited to be the one-two punch with him and to really, like I said before, be a sponge and learn from him at the same time.”
With Jeanty and Washington expected to be the ‘thunder and lightning,’ as Washington put it, adding Hemby in the mix adds another layer of upside and creativity in the backfield.
But the road to making the 53-man roster won’t be easy for Hemby, and he’ll have to work hard to not only make a name for himself but beat out guys like Laube and Collier for a roster spot.
Raiders UDFA Projected to Beat Dylan Laube, Chris Collier for Roster Spot