Five possible landing spots for Kenyan Drake: Rams, Chiefs, Ravens among ideal destinations for veteran RB

The Kenyan Drake knows the drill. Although he’s been a productive player for most of his first six seasons, the veteran running back will adjust to his fourth NFL team when the regular season kicks off next month. The Raiders, the team that has employed Drake since the start of the 2021 season, consider releasing him before the end of the preseason, according to NFL Media.

The 28-year-old returned to the Raiders this offseason after breaking his right ankle at the end of the 2021 season. of a team looking to exploit his skills while fitting him into a backfield that won’t rely on him to carry the workload.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the five teams that seem to suit Drake, who shouldn’t have any problems finding a new landing spot soon after he hits the open market.

Baltimore already has a packed backfield that includes JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Mike Davis and Justice Hill. But with Dobbins, Edwards and Hill all returning from season-ending injuries, adding Drake to the roster certainly makes sense. Drake would give the Ravens another option in the backfield while also being added insurance in the event of a setback for Baltimore’s top backs. Drake’s versatility would also give Lamar Jackson another weapon out of the backfield on short passing routes.

Drake would add a much-needed punch to a Chiefs backfield currently led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon, rookie Isiah Pacheco and veteran Ronald Jones. Bringing Drake into the fold would give the Chiefs a proven replacement in case Edwards-Helaire – who was sidelined seven games last season – misses more time through injury. He would also provide another option in the passing game for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has lost several of his key keepers (including All-Pro Tyreek Hill) this offseason.

Los Angeles would be an ideal landing spot for Drake, who, given his recent injury and previous workload, would be a better complementary back than a star back. Drake would be flanked in Los Angeles by Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, two players who played key roles in the Rams’ recent championship. Adding Drake would also give Kyren Williams more time to get on the offense after the Notre Dame rookie missed a lot of time this offseason after breaking his foot.

Drake would likely be asked to carry a heavier workload in Atlanta than the three previously mentioned teams. The Falcons’ rushing offense is currently led by running back-turned-receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and former leader Damien Williams. Even with the recent emergence of rookie Tyler Allgeier, Drake still makes sense in Atlanta given his skill set as well as the Falcons’ proven relative lack of depth as a running back.

Similar to Atlanta, Houston would be a place where Drake’s role would be similar to what he had in Miami and Arizona earlier in his career. Rookie Dameon Pierce is currently slated for Houston, with veterans Marlon Mack and Rex Burkhead as backups. Given Pierce’s lack of NFL experience, Mack’s recent injury struggles, and Burkhead’s age and skill set, a future pairing of the Texans and Drake makes a lot of sense.