The Oakland Raiders have managed to shore up their backfield this offseason. Running back Doug Martin is ready to take on a mentorship role for fellow running back Josh Jacobs.

The Raiders selected Jacobs with one of their three first-round picks from the 2019 NFL Draft. According to Scott Bair of NBC Sports, Martin is ready to be an open book for the rookie:

“Josh Jacobs, he’s a good kid with good character,” Martin said. “You all heard his story, I read up on it myself. I commend him for being as strong as he is, and that being said I came here to mentor, push him, show him that I’ve been in the league eight years, so I am a vet now. I can’t believe it, but that’s the case and so I’m here to just be that role model for him.

“If he has any questions, I’m here for him to ask them. Like I said, he has good character, but at the same time he looks like he can just run you over, so he’s going to be great for the team.”

It is encouraging to see that Doug Martin is embracing his new role as a mentor. He has enjoyed a successful NFL career in which he was a workhorse back for several years. He ultimately became a complementary option to running back Marshawn Lynch in Oakland. Lynch's second retirement this offseason prompted the front office to bring him back.

Martin still proved to be quite effective as Lynch's replacement last season. It seems the Raiders feel comfortable enough in his talent to not only contribute on the field but off it as well. The team has presumably brought Jacobs in to be the workhorse back in the near future. Regardless, the Raiders are hoping Martin can double as both a mentor and change-of-pace option out of the backfield.