Latavius Murray, Jalen Richard Post-Week 1 Fantasy Advice

The Oakland Raiders were big winners in Week 1, coming back from 11 points behind in the fourth quarter to earn a 35-34 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 319 yards and a touchdown, while the running game added 167 yards.

The yardage total wasn't a big surprise, but the player who led the Raiders in yards was.

Jalen Richard, an undrafted rookie out of Southern Mississippi, took advantage of all three of his carries to the tune of 84 yards. Richard broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that helped the Raiders tie the game at 27-27.

Latavius Murray, the starter, finished with 59 yards on his 14 carries. He scored the Raiders' opening touchdown in the first quarter.

Here is a look at how both guys stack up from a fantasy perspective.

           

Latavius Murray

Two things are clear: Murray is the Raiders' primary running back, and the Raiders do not trust him to be their bell cow. Fifth-round pick DeAndre Washington also got five carries, and Taiwan Jones got one. Of the 23 carries that went to running backs Sunday, 14 went to Murray.

That's still an overwhelming majority. You would be more satisfied if he were closer to 70 percent of the touches than 60, but Murray's still going to be an every-week RB2 or flex play with those numbers. Those entering the week hoping Washington wouldn't cut into Murray's share of carries, though, will leave Sunday disappointed.

The Raiders are going to use four running backs, but Murray's the only one you want.

    

Jalen Richard

In a word: nope. Richard got three carries. Sure, if you think he's going to have a 75-yard run every week, go ahead and pick him up.

But that's silly. Richard might have done enough in limited touches to push Washington for se...

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