It's safe to say Pro Football Focus remains unsure about Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White's ability to become a quality starter.
On Monday, PFF released its starting RB rankings ahead of the 2024 season, and White ranked last.
"White's body of work is a little unknown at the NFL level, but maybe that can work to his advantage in 2024," wrote PFF's Thomas Valentine. "However, he'll have his work cut out for him behind a mixed-bag Las Vegas offensive line. White averaged 3.21 yards after contact per attempt in 2023, 13th in the NFL."
White — the 122nd overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft — only rushed for 521 yards and one touchdown in his first two seasons with the Raiders. That's one reason it was surprising that Las Vegas let RB Josh Jacobs, a former first-team All-Pro, sign a four-year, $48M deal with the Green Bay Packers in free agency.
Still, in 2023, White flashed starting RB potential when Jacobs missed the Raiders' last four games with a quadriceps injury. During this stretch, he averaged 99.25 rushing yards per game, and Las Vegas went 3-1.
It's a small sample size, but it wouldn't be surprising if White quells his skeptics. Bleacher Report's Alex Kay recently tabbed him as a breakout candidate in 2024.
"The 6-foot, 215-pound back utilizes a hard-nosed, downhill, one-cut skill set to great effect, a style of running that fits perfectly with the culture the team is seeking to establish under new head coach Antonio Pierce," wrote Kay. "His impressive audition for the role last season indicates a star in the making."
White emerging as a bellcow back would be the best-case scenario for the Raiders. Whether Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew II wins the starting QB job, Las Vegas will need a strong ground attack to create a balanced offense and vie for a playoff spot.
