Las Vegas Raiders

Oakland Raiders UDFA Jalen Richard confident entering preseason finale

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Oakland Raiders undrafted free agent running back Jalen Richard is confident entering the team’s preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks.

Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard has been building momentum ever since the undrafted free agent made the team after a tryout this spring. Richard wowing the Raiders coaching staff from that point on as a running back who is now expected to crack the 53-man roster.

Entering the Raiders preseason finale on Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks, Richard is showing a confidence of a player who feels he belongs in the mix. A strong debut against the Tennessee Titans giving Richard a further boost as the talented running back is coming into his own.

Talking to the media after practice before the Seahawks preseason closer, Richard talked about the chip on his shoulder that has carried him through this process. Adding that he knows he can play at this level and is motivated to make the doubters pay after getting just one camp invite before the season.

“Coming in, I had that mindset, that chip on my shoulder [I’m], a free agent guy that got a tryout,” Richard said via Eddie Paskal of Raiders.com. “They don’t think I can play. They think they’re just bringing me in for a body, well I’m going to show them different. I’m going to make an impact. I can play on this level. I should have had more notoriety coming out, but okay, since that didn’t happen, I’m going to make everybody pay for it.”

Richard also mentioned that right now he is just having fun with his initial success at the NFL level. Claiming that he would have no regrets after putting in a hard effort this preseason with the Raiders, even if it is highly likely he will be on the Week 1 roster.

“I understand the offense,” Richard said on Wednesday. “I’m out there letting loose, and I’m just having fun. Like I said, this was my only opportunity; if I get cut tomorrow, at least I could say I had fun, and I was out there going hard every day.”

Richard should get plenty of carries during the preseason finale with Latavius Murray likely to get rest for the season opener. Presenting yet another big opportunity for the Raiders preseason success story to continue to impress the coaching staff. Richard is a likely lock to make the 53-man roster, but a big performance can only add to the hype surrounding the UDFA underdog going into his rookie year.