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Yahoo Sports NFL fantasy football takes on Mike Washington Jr.

Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Yahoo Sports NFL about Mike Washington Jr..

80
Insights
47
Positive
17
Negative
Insight ledger

All Yahoo Sports NFL insights about Mike Washington Jr.

PositiveRoleNov 6, 2026
Elevated to feature back role by Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak in Week 8 against the Jets with 25 carries, a dramatic shift from prior usage; Kubiak indicated workload splits will vary game-to-game based on performance and team needs, but Washington's 83 yards on 25 carries (3.3 ypc) was comparable to Jeanty's season average of 3.1 ypc, and the Raiders' EPA per rush improved 0.11 points and success rate on ground improved 7.2% with Washington as lead back.
PositiveRoleNov 3, 2026
Washington was inserted as the lead back in a running back committee after head coach Klint Kubiak decided to make a change at the position. Though Washington did not break 100 yards on 25 carries or score a rushing touchdown, the source argues his impact was profound; outside goal-to-go situations he averaged 4.4 YPC on 19 carries (83 yards), with the offensive line struggling at the goal line (6 carries for 0 yards). Washington should be the bell cow receiving the majority of carries going forward.
PositiveRoleNov 3, 2026
Rookie running back from Arkansas has taken over as the lead back for the Raiders after Klint Kubiak opened the door for him; Washington kicked it open with a different feel in the backfield. In Week 8 against the Jets, Washington had 25 carries for 83 yards while Jeanty was reduced to a complementary role, facing a stacked box on 48.0% of his carries (tied for fourth-highest rate that week). Washington is averaging 2.9 yards per carry on stacked-box carries (27 carries, 78 yards) compared to Jeanty's 2.6 ypc, and holds a slight advantage in rushing yards over expected per attempt (+0.4 to -0.3), a metric to monitor as his workload presumptively continues to increase.
PositiveUsageNov 3, 2026
Washington received 25 carries in Week 8 compared to just two rushes for Ashton Jeanty, a dramatic shift in workload distribution. Despite being stopped four times at the goal line and averaging 3.3 yards per carry, the Raiders won for the first time in over a month with 38 points. The coaching staff may have been trying to get the attention of the lead back by cutting Jeanty's workload, or may leave things status quo after the big win. Washington's upside is limited by a tough Week 9 matchup against a San Francisco defense that ranks fifth in rushing yards allowed per game and his lack of involvement in the passing game, but potential volume on the ground keeps him ranked around RB25.
NegativeUsageNov 3, 2026
Washington was on the field for more snaps than Ashton Jeanty for the first time all season, getting 25 carries to Jeanty's two. However, Washington only gained 83 yards for an average of 3.3 per carry and was repeatedly stopped for little or no gain in the red zone (eight attempts inside the 10, six inside the 5, no TDs). The source expresses skepticism about the workload shift and notes that Jeanty needs to get more than two carries in a game. Recommended FAAB bid: $7.
PositiveRoleNov 2, 2026
The Raiders' backfield underwent a stunning shift in Week 8, with Washington playing 60% of snaps and leading with 25 carries for 83 yards, while Jeanty played a season-low 40% of snaps with only five touches. After the game, Klint Kubiak suggested this was not a one-game punishment but a sign of things to come with their running back room. The rookie is bringing more juice on the ground and Kubiak clearly wants to see if he can provide a spark there. It's possible this evolution continues with Washington earning the majority of the early-down carries and Jeanty making the bigger impact as a pass-catcher, moving Jeanty down into the low-end RB2/high-end RB3 range and Washington not far behind.
PositiveRoleNov 2, 2026
Washington was installed as the primary early-down option over Ashton Jeanty on Sunday versus the Jets, rushing 25 times to Jeanty's two carries (Jeanty added three catches for 64 yards). Jeanty has not hit 25 carries in a game this year and only once as a rookie. Washington is averaging slightly more yards after contact than Jeanty this season and has a 7.7% explosive run rate versus Jeanty's dismal 1.9%. The source is skeptical this coaching staff is throwing in the towel on the top-five pick, maxing out Washington bids at 10%.
PositiveUsageNov 2, 2026
Washington received 25 of 28 running back carries with Ashton Jeanty relegated to the bench as a third-down back; Washington ran 25 times for 83 yards (3.3 yards per carry), which is more yardage than Jeanty has gained as the everydown back since Week 1. While Jeanty's demotion is unlikely to persist, Washington will be a reasonable short-term play and needs to be rostered in 10-team leagues, though the next two weeks feature tough matchups against the 49ers and Seahawks.
PositiveRoleOct 27, 2026
Washington is the clearly superior running back option to Ashton Jeanty, as evidenced by his 4.9 yards-per-carry average; however, head coach Klint Kubiak continues to keep him on the bench, instead featuring Jeanty for three plays and a punt. The source argues that on a team with a non-existent rushing attack, Kubiak's strange fascination with wanting to see Washington's blocking ability over his production is hurting the team, and that Kubiak needs to get over his own biases and coach to the strengths of his players.
PositiveUsageOct 24, 2026
Washington has outperformed Jeanty in recent weeks with 98 carries versus Jeanty's 34, and is breaking more long runs. Per Sumer Sports, Washington faces lighter defensive boxes (20.6% against heavy box vs. Jeanty's 41.8%) and more base personnel (41.8% vs. Jeanty's 53.1%), allowing him to generate 66.1% of his yards after contact compared to Jeanty's 78.9%. Ojomo notes Washington's usage advantage but remains unconvinced he can be a lead back long-term.
NegativeInjuryOct 22, 2026
The fourth-round rookie running back was limited Wednesday with foot and back injuries and absent from the media viewing portion of Thursday's practice, suggesting a potential setback. Washington has been the second back behind Ashton Jeanty through six games with 10 touches for 50 yards from scrimmage last week against Buffalo (nine rushes for 43 yards), and his role was expected to increase as the Raiders address rushing woes (ranked 30th in total rushing yards, 31st in yards per attempt), but health is required for that opportunity.
NegativeRoleOct 17, 2026
Washington is not getting more reps despite reports that Kubiak wanted to draft him. The source cites multiple reasons: Washington wasn't a good receiver or pass protector at Arkansas, and that has carried over into the NFL, which is why Dylan Laube got more playing time last week. Washington also had a bad game against the Chiefs with a missed or bad read that would have resulted in a touchdown, and Kubiak may have overreacted to that in New England. Additionally, being down 28-7 after the first position in the third quarter means the offense doesn't have enough time left to run the ball much in the second half. The rookie running back's workload will be something to monitor this Sunday.
NegativeRoleOct 14, 2026
Washington's reduced role against New England may stem from pass-protection concerns. Head coach Klint Kubiak complimented Dylan Laube for his pass-protection abilities and reliability, implying Washington may have pass-blocking deficiencies. The Raiders employed 7-man protection (max-protect) during passing attempts, which would explain why Washington's role was phased out in-game despite the team running gap/power schemes on 38% of their runs—their highest rate all season.
PositiveUsageOct 14, 2026
Washington has produced 125 yards and a touchdown on 25 regular-season carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry with a team-high 35-yard run. More significantly, he leads the Raiders in yards before contact (2.3) and yards after contact (2.7) per rush, both team highs. Despite this efficiency, he received only one carry against New England. Head coach Klint Kubiak acknowledged accountability for Washington's lack of playing time, saying "it's on me" to ensure the rookie gets more reps moving forward.