Raiders: 3 Patriots players Josh McDaniels can poach
By John Buhler
With Josh McDaniels taking over the Las Vegas Raiders, the long-time New England Patriots offensive coordinator may look to bring over some of his former players to his new team.
Josh McDaniels left the New England Patriots to become an NFL head coach for the second time, this time with the Las Vegas Raiders.
While McDaniels’ first foray into being a head coach failed miserably in Denver, that was over a decade ago. In the years since, McDaniels has rehabilitated his image as one of the best offensive minds in football. He comes to Nevada with former Patriots front office executive Dave Ziegler as the Silver and Black’s new general manager. Together, they can do incredible things in Las Vegas.
Here are three Patriots players worth pursuing in 2022 NFL free agency if you are the Raiders.
Las Vegas Raiders: 3 players Josh McDaniels can get from New England Patriots
Pick Analysis. 3. James White. player. 47. Scouting Report. RB. New England Patriots
James White can be the type of running back Josh McDaniels needs in Las Vegas
Two Raiders running backs are hitting free agency in Peyton Barber and Jalen Richard. While Las Vegas still has Kenyan Drake and Josh Jacobs on the books, they could use a running back who knows exactly what to do in McDaniels’ offense. Though there is a chance he is a career Patriot and will not play for anybody else, James White is hitting free agency this winter and may move.
In his career, White is best known for being a receiving back out of the backfield, as well as his clutch performances in big-time games. He would effectively be replacing Richard, a running back who has been with the Silver and Black for years doing similar things. Since there is a baked-in familiarity between McDaniels and White, he could potentially follow him over to the Raiders.
However, the Raiders may look to draft the next Richard or White this spring under Ziegler’s direction. The previous administration did a fine job in adding Jacobs that way. While the Drake fit has always been clunky at best, a multitude of running backs have had many different roles in a Patriots offense under McDaniels’ direction. White is a possibility, but he might be staying put.
If White were a few years younger, it would make more sense for him to be leaving New England.