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Latavius Murray: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

By Brad Weiss

Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs for yardage against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) runs for yardage against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders had their best season since 2001 this year, and running back Latavius Murray has been a big reason for the team’s success.

During his collegiate career at the University of Central Florida, Latavius Murray did not garner much national attention. In fact, he was not even invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, and had to instead rely on a fantastic performance during his pro day to get any love from NFL scouts. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, and since then, he has been one of the more productive backs in the AFC.

After being place on injured reserve prior to making an appearance during his rookie season, Murray started the 2014 NFL campaign third on the Raiders depth chart behind Darren McFadden and Maurice Jones-Drew. However, by the end of the season Murray was the team’s feature back, and he would head into the 2015 season as the main man for the Silver and Black. After earning a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2015 it was clear the Raiders had made teh right choice at running back.

This past season, Murray scored 12 rushing touchdowns for an Oakland Raiders team that made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. As he heads to free agency, we take a look at five possible destinations for the young running back of the Oakland Raiders.

5

New York Jets

AFC, East

The New York Jets did not have the kind of season they were looking for in 2016, falling well below expectations when they broke camp. In 2015, the Jets nearly made the playoffs, but lost a road game to the Buffalo Bills in Week 17 to crush their hopes of making the postseason as a wild card. Heading into 2016, the Jets figured they would take the next step forward, but none of the Jets season went as planned.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a historic season by Jets standards in 2015, setting a couple of team records along the way. While he tried to hold out for a long-term deal, the Jets were able to lock him up with a one-year commitment right before the deadline, giving them the quarterback all of the veterans on the team wanted. Not only was Fitzpatrick unable to rekindle the magic of the year before, he was actually benched during the season, as the Jets floundered to a five-win season.

Aside from Fitzpatrick, another big signing for the Jets heading into last season was running back Matt Forte. Forte, who was an absolute star during his time with the Chicago Bears, was supposed to be one of the final pieces of the Jets playoff puzzle. Forte rushed for over 800 yards in 14 games, showing some flashes of his old self along the way. However, he cannot be considered a long-term solution at running back being 31-years old, so signing Latavius Murray may be a serious option for the Jets this offseason.

Murray played his high school ball in New York, so he may be looking to head back to the east coast. At only 25-years old, Murray would definitely be considered a long-term solution at running back for the Jets, giving them a player who can shoulder the load when called up. Bilal Powell showed that he can run the ball at the NFL level as well last season, so a two-headed monster of Powell and Murray would be a serious upgrade over last year.