Las Vegas Raiders Release Running Back Kenyan Drake

Former Alabama running back Kenyan Drake has been released by the Las Vegas Raiders. In the dual-threat back's lone season with the team, he put up 254 yards rushing on 63 attempts, 291 yards receiving on 30 receptions and three total touchdowns.

Drake was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In his three full seasons with the Dolphins, he put up over 1,000 total yards just one time and was traded to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2019 season. During his time with the Cards, he totaled a career high in yards with 1,162 yards between the two teams.

In 2020, he tallied his career high in rushing yards (955) and rushing touchdowns (10), and signed a two-year $11 million contract with the Raiders during free agency in 2021. Drake broke his right ankle in Week 13 last season, but has seen the field since then in the form of the Raiders' three preseason games, where he put up 30 yards rushing on 12 attempts and 27 yards receiving on five receptions.

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By releasing Drake after just one year, the Raiders will save $250K, but will also take a total dead cap hit of $8 million, including $3.6 million this upcoming season.

To replace Drake's role as running back Josh Jacobs' backup, Las Vegas drafted running backs Zamir White and Brittain Brown, as well as picking up Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden, Jakob Johnson and Austin Walter in free agency.

With the NFL season less than three weeks away, Drake will be looking to join his fourth team in three years.