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Raiders add speed to backfield with fourth-round pick Mike Washington Jr.

Raiders add speed to backfield with fourth-round pick Mike Washington Jr.

The Las Vegas Raiders used the 122nd overall pick in the fourth round to select Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr., a player they traded up to acquire. The move, which sent picks Nos. 134 and 208 to the Atlanta Falcons, gives the Raiders a complement to last year’s first-round pick Ashton Jeanty.

New coach Klint Kubiak, who employed a two-back system in Seattle, has emphasized reducing Jeanty’s workload. Washington brings blazing speed — he was the fastest running back at the combine — and big-play ability. He led the SEC with 16 runs of 20-plus yards last season.

Grade: A-

Washington is a home run threat with great size, though he doesn’t always finish runs. He needs significant improvement in pass protection to stay on the field for all three downs. However, his top-end speed and effectiveness in short yardage make him an intriguing weapon.

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