In his first act, Chris Warren III received terrific reviews. The question is, was Warren’s big night a fluke or a sign that the rookie from the University of Texas is ready for the NFL’s big stage?
The Raiders and their fans will find out a little more in Saturday’s exhibition against the Rams in Los Angeles.
Warren, the son of former NFL star running back Chris Warren II, went undrafted after his career at Texas. He was signed after trying out for the Raiders in their rookie minicamp in May. At 6-foot-2 and 250-plus pounds, he gives Oakland a bigger option in the backfield than the likes of Doug Martin, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, and more of a pounder like starter Marshawn Lynch.
In his first NFL game action, in an exhibition win over the Detroit Lions last week, Warren gained 86 yards on 13 carries, with one burst for 26 yards.
After that game, head coach Jon Gruden indicated he likes what he sees of the former Longhorns back.
“I like that guy, man,” Gruden told reporters. “If you know anything about him, his dad was one heck of a player with the Seattle Seahawks. … He’s a big back, you don’t know it, but he’s 253 pounds, he can run 4.5 (over 40 yards), he’s a hammer, he can really thump you and he’s got breakaway speed.
“He’s improving in the passing game, he’s becoming more and more of a running back instead of just a runner – he’s becoming a receiver, blitz pick-up, all those little details are improving, but he’s got a lot of talent.”
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In his career at Texas, Warren averaged 5.6 yards on his 204 carries. He had a 276-yard game vs. Texas Teach as a freshman. But he didn’t remain a featured back. At one point, he was moved to tight end.
When he wasn’t drafted he decided to give the Raiders a shot.
“I knew I didn’t have standout numbers, but I thought there would be somebody that would take a shot,” Warren told Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle. “But it doesn’t matter because I’m here now. It’s irrelevant.”
If he wants to make the 53-man roster for Game 1 of the regular season, however, Warren has a way to go. Even after his big night vs. the Lions, Warren is listed below Lynch, Martin, Richard and Washington on the depth chart. A big game vs. the Rams Saturday could help him climb that ladder, with still two games remaining after the Rams game.
Saturday’s kickoff in Los Angeles is set for 1 p.m.
