Kenyan Drake can elevate Houston Texans rushing attack

If the Houston Texans are looking to elevate their running game, Kenyan Drake is the man for the job.

While current Las Vegas Raiders running back Kenyan Drake isn’t a free agent, the Raiders haven’t really gotten the best return on their investment. Drake joined the Raiders after two good years with the Arizona Cardinals, including his 2019 career revival after being traded from the Miami Dolphins.

Drake had implied that he wanted to go to a team where he would continue to be the lead back. However, going to the same destination where Josh Jacobs resides was a head-scratching idea. Houston should act if the Raiders were to release or trade Drake.

Drake had 630-plus yards in the final eight games in 2019 with Arizona, only missed breaking the 1,000-yard barrier by 45 yards in 2020 (Drake had 955 rushing yards). Drake is most effective in a zone running scheme, and we will see what new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton will use for his rushing attack.

Kenyan Drake can be the Houston Texans’ top ball carrier

It will take a lot of help on the offensive line, as that deteriorated for Drake in the past two seasons. In addition to the men up front needing to be performing, so do the wide receivers. One of the main reasons Drake did so well in 2019 was because Larry Fitzgerald and the other receivers were so good at blocking.

Getting blocks from the perimeter in a zone scheme lets great stuff happen, and it opens up power and counter schemes to get big plays like the one above. Anyone is better than Houston’s running back group last season, and Drake still can be effective.

Cleaning house at the running back position is the best thing for Houston to do, and it should yield better results in 2022.