5 bold predictions for the Oakland Raiders in 2018

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden (L) talks with Raiders owner Mark Davis during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 04: Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the sideline during their game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum on November 4, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

3. Doug Martin will lead the team in rushing

Marshawn Lynch returned from his football sabbatical to have a better season than anyone could have expected. There’s still a serious question about just how much talent Beast Mode has left in the tank.

Doug Martin arrives in Oakland hoping to return from his own sort of football wilderness. He was a star in Tampa Bay before things went south. The talented running back needs to make the best of things in Oakland to get his career back on track. Playing for Gruden should be perfect for the enigmatic running back.

Martin isn’t going to push Lynch all the way out to pasture, but his younger legs are going to give him a clear advantage in this battle. The early returns from minicamp have been exceedingly positive about the diminutive back.

By the end of the season, expect Lynch to cede the starting job to Martin. Neither back is going to come anywhere near posting a 1,000 yard season, but they could emerge as a quality duo. Back Martin to narrowly defeat Lynch for the team’s rushing title in 2018.

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