It is not uncommon for players to switch positions upon entering the NFL. However, it is a scenario Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ryan Switzer is trying to avoid after being traded by the Dallas Cowboys.

Prior to joining the Raiders, Switzer played a minor all-purpose role for the Cowboys in the 2017 NFL season. Despite being a wideout through most of his football career, he says Dallas may have been prepping him for a transition to running back, according to Patrik Walker of 247Sports:

“The more I think on it, I think that they had a different plan for me than what I was capable of doing,” Switzer said. “I don't know. Looking back I had two or three rushes in the NFL before receptions and I was taking reps at running back at times. I don't know if [they] were trying to use me as like a scat-back or what. There was a lot of talk about my high school days and being a RB and I don't think I ever fit that mold as a change-of-pace back or someone with slide sweeps and carries.”

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There is plenty of truth to Switzer's comments. He finished his career at North Carolina as the school's all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards before he was taken by Dallas in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

His minuscule contributions on offense were split between carries and catches. Switzer toted the ball four times for five yards while hauling in six receptions for 41 yards. He made his biggest impact on special teams with 856 return yards and a touchdown. Although he is likely to continue his role as the Raider's return man, it is clear that Switzer would prefer if they also keep him out of the backfield. Fortunately, Oakland has added some tremendous depth at running back this offseason which means he may be safe from a potential position change.