The Raiders brought free-agent running back Isaiah Crowell in for a visit Thursday. He’ll leave with a new contract and a new team.
Oakland signed the 26-year-old to a one-year contract on Thursday, the team announced. Crowell could get up to $2.5 million next season, a source said.
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Crowell is a productive do-it-all back the Raiders prefer, someone adept as a receiver out of the backfield. He can also be a tough runner inside the tackles and out, averaging. 4.8 yards per carry last year for the New York Jets.
He exceeded 1,000 yards of total offensive in 2016 and 2017, working then with Cleveland. He’s a bigger back at 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds, and will be an important part of a running back corps that should look different than last year.
The Raiders are looking closely at draft options, trying to find a young feature back. Jalen Richard will be back on a restricted free agent tender, but it seems likely at this point Doug Martin will play elsewhere. Chris Warren will compete for regular-season snaps after missing 2018 with a knee injury.
The Raiders are slow-playing Marshawn Lynch despite him being healthy and ready to play after missing most of 2018 with a groin injury. The team could evaluate the position after the draft before making a call on Lynch.
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Crowell should have a roster spot and a role in 2019. Who he’s running with and how big it will be, should be determined by additions to the position group.