Jalen Richard

Raiders' Jalen Richard Dices Up Saints for 75-Yard Touchdown (Video)

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

foxsports

Raiders rookie running back Jalen Richard burst onto the scene in Week 1, torching the Saints defense for a 75-yard touchdown

The name Jalen Richard might not be a name you’re familiar with coming into the 2016 NFL season. Coming out of Southern Miss, the undrafted rookie running back made the Oakland Raiders’ 53-man roster. Not only did he make it, he impressed enough to earn some time on the field in their Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Giving him that playing time isn’t something that coach Jack Del Rio is going to regret.

In a game that can only be described as a shootout, the Raiders were trying to keep pace with Drew Brees in the Saints. Starting a drive late in the game on their own 25-yard line, they needed a big play in a big way. They elected to give the rock to Richard and he made the most of it.

Despite getting hit early in the development of the play, the rookie bounced off would-be tacklers into open space. After a few beautiful cuts to avoid other defenders, Richard was off to the races. 75 yards later, he had his first career touchdown.

.@Raiders RB Jalen Richard.
75 yards.
TO. THE. HOUSE.#RaiderNation #OAKvsNO https://t.co/biRWn1fKKf

— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2016

That doesn’t look like someone you’d peg as an undrafted rookie out there.

Though the season is still young for the Raiders, they may have something special in Jalen Richard. That type of big-play ability is rare. With this and a couple of other nice runs, he definitely could be on his way to a breakout rookie season.