Latavius Murray is set to be a UFA after he concluded his second full season as the Raiders’ starting running back. Murray said Sunday his agent and the Raiders have discussed an extension, Jerry McDonald of the San Jose Mercury News reports. While “nothing is concrete” at this point, Murray intimated his desire to remain with the franchise that drafted him.
“I don’t think I ever want to be a guy who bounces around or things like that,” Murray said. “I’d love to finish my career here. I think says a lot about any player who’s able to stay in one place. I’d love to finish what I started, but I know how things could go.”
The former sixth-round pick did not have quite as big a role in the Raiders’ offense as he did in 2015, when he became the first Raider since Darren McFadden in 2010 to surpass 1,000 rushing yards. Murray amassed 788 yards this season and matched the 4.0 per-carry figure of 2015 but saw rookies Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington eat into his workload. Each surpassing 400 ground yards and eclipsed five yards per handoff, but Murray doubled his 2015 touchdown total by rushing for 12 this season.
The cheaper option would obviously be for the Raiders to go with the younger, quicker backs and allow another team to pay Murray, but the Raiders do stand to possess more than $51MM in cap space. Jack Del Rio points to a Derek Carr extension factoring into the Raiders’ free agency plans.
“You can’t keep everybody. You can’t pay everybody,” Del Rio said, via McDonald. “Especially once you start paying your quarterback what he’s going to end up making. I’m sure it will be a pretty nice amount. We’ve been able to do more other places because we haven’t had to put a lot in the quarterback number. As that number goes up, that will limit some of the things you have to do.”
A Carr extension might not come until after the major free agency period concludes, complicating matters. The Raiders will see Malcolm Smith and Menelik Watson join Murray as UFA starters. Murray will accompany Le’Veon Bell and Eddie Lacy as 2013 draftees set for free agency. Before cuts, they probably stand to be the top UFA backs available. Although, Bell is unlikely to reach the market since the Steelers plan to apply the franchise tag to him.
any idea what he is projected to earn? maybe a Chris ivory-esque deal?
I like Murray but I think with Bell we would be extremely scary next season…I don’t think the Steelers let him hit the open market though
We MUST keep him.
Get rid of Murray and Watson. Get Cook, McCaffrey, Forman or Perine as running back in the draft.
I don’t see the Raiders drafting a rb that high, too many other needs. Look for a similar draft grab as Murray, late rounds or undrafted. I would want Reggie grab Jamaal Williams from BYU (6’1/220lbs). No one is talking about him. Sees the holes, runs angry, a thumper, and can catch in the backfield. Put the tape on…just don’t let anyone know.
I hate to break it to you, but if you look beyond the casual fan, plenty know about Jamaal Williams.
You draft, you evaluate, and then you give out the big contract if the player merits.Murray is middle of the pack, his elusiveness and yards after contact stats are average despite that o-line. Richard, as undrafted, did a lot more with the same. Carr & Mack will get the big money. L.Murray is a nice story drafted in the six round. However, if the money is not right then another back with similar skill sets are available for less in the draft. The process starts again…
Murray is average, has no vision or wiggle. We can do better. Please don’t overpay.
Jack your sooo wrong. He’s big, strong, fast. .and he’s getting better every year. You’re not paying attention. The little guys are useless without him.
The Raiders had spent alot of time hoping Mc fadden would be a breakout running back and never did with lots of injuries. Give Murray another year and finish what Raiders and he had started, this will give more time for Richard and Washington to be dominant. Then find another rb at a cheaper price.
Sign him to a one year show me deal for 4 million. He has two other backs to share with that will prolong his career. We need an impact defensive player with the first pick and if he’s there, Christian Mcaffrey with the second pick. Go Raiders
Murray is OK. He has great speed but cant break tackles and has little wiggle. I say draft a middle linebacker or DB. Our defense needs the most help. I hope somebody get McCaffrey before the Patriots get him.
I would get McCaffrey first make him the slot receiver (better hand’s than current wr). Re-sign Murry if he goes down McCaffrey can switch back to RB. Get Campbell from Arizona, that gives you pressure from up the middle and get a MLB in second round, there will still be first round tallent when they pick.