It has been tough sledding for Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White over the first two games of the 2024 campaign, but before you go and drop him in your fantasy football league, you might want to wait things out.
White had a fantastic finish to last season when he took over for an injured Josh Jacobs over the final four games. But that showing is a far cry from what we’ve witnessed over two weeks.
The former fourth-round pick is averaging 13.5 touches per contest, and he’s turned those into just 84 scrimmage yards, including 68 on the ground. Making matters worse, he hasn’t found the end zone once.
Adding to concerns over White, Alexander Mattison has taken some touches away from him, which isn’t totally unexpected. But Mattison hasn’t done much with them and White has still out-touched him, 27-13.
There is hope for White yet. Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said on Monday that he blames White’s struggles on poor blocking upfront, not on the running back. He also stated the goal is to get White 20-plus touches per game.
“I’m gonna keep pumping him up,” Pierce said. “Our goal is to get 20-plus touches with him. That was the goal this week, didn’t happen. That’s gonna be the goal this week and every week while he’s the starting running back and I’m here.”
Pierce’s comments show that the Raiders, who want to run the football more, very much view White as their lead back still. And there is hope that the offensive line can improve, also.
The Raiders haven’t seen the debut of second-round pick and guard Jackson Powers-Johnson yet, and left tackle Kolton Miller, who has historically been Las Vegas’ best lineman, is still shaking off the rust after not having a full offseason.
We can’t say with 100% certainty that things are going to get better for White and the Raiders’ rushing attack, but Pierce’s comments should breed hope and it would be wise to hold on to the third-year back, especially with a matchup against the flailing Carolina Panthers on deck in Week 3.
