Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden is entering his contract year and still has a lot to prove in the NFL. The young running back will be turning 26-years-old this August and when healthy, McFadden is one of the best in the game. Unfortunately, that’s just his problem, he can't stay healthy. The Raiders drafted McFadden in the first round of the 2008 draft (fourth overall pick). This is his sixth year with Oakland and he has yet to play a full season.
His rookie year, he played in 13 games and in 113 rushing attempts, he collected 499 yards and four touchdowns. In 2009, he started 12 games and had 104 rushing attempts worth 357 yards and one touchdown. 2010 was McFadden’s breakout year as he started 13 games, had 223 carries for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns. The Raiders went 8-8 that season and McFadden was a big part of their success that year. 2011 was a disappointing year for McFadden and Raiders fans.
In a season with such promise, Raider Nation had to sit and watch as their star running back sat on the bench due to injury. He only played in seven games that season, but had 113 carries for 614 yards and four touchdowns. He was at the top of the league in rushing that season before he went out with foot sprain. Last season, McFadden appeared in 12 games, had 216 carries for 707 yards and two touchdowns. 2010 was no doubt, McFadden’s best year, but who knows what type of numbers he could have put up in 2011, or any other season, if he could just stay healthy.
In his five seasons with the silver and black, McFadden has never had a season where he wasn’t injured. He has a history of foot, toe, knee, and hamstring issues which have kept him out of many games for the Raiders. The injuries are repetitive as well, as he has been out for turf toe quite a few times in his career. McFadden could be one of the most dynamic players in the NFL if he could play more than 13 games a year.
Last year, his stats took a hit as he went from averaging 5.2 and 5.4 yards a carry in 2010 and 2011 to his career-worst 3.3 last season. Hard to blame McFadden however, as then offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp, ran a zone blocking scheme, which is not where McFadden shines.
So, will McFadden stay healthy in 2013? Hard to say yes due to the history of his injuries. It’s always something every year so why would this season be any different? As he enters the last season of his contract, he needs to put up numbers to impress not only the Raiders, but other teams who may be interested in signing him.
With a new offensive coordinator, who will run the offense to the strengths of his players, Run DMC should have a better year than last and put up some nice numbers this season. I’m sure he will be out at some point due to an injury, but hopefully it’s nothing serious and he’ll be able to battle through and start every game this season.