Roman Hemby

Roman Hemby enters a backfield anchored by Ashton Jeanty (the Raiders' 2025 R1 pick and clear alpha), with Mike Washington Jr. (2026 R4 P22) drafted specifically as the complement. Hemby is at best the fourth RB on the depth chart behind Jeanty, Washington Jr., and Dylan Laube, who has an inside track on the backup roles.

As a UDFA, Hemby must first earn a 53-man roster spot before any dynasty relevance materializes. Multiple incumbent backs (Laube, Chris Collier) are ahead of him on the bubble, making his odds of meaningful regular-season availability slim without a training camp standout performance.

As a 2026 UDFA with zero draft capital, Hemby has no organizational investment protecting his roster spot; the Raiders spent a R4 pick on Washington to fill the RB2 role he'd theoretically chase.

Hemby posted only 17 receptions in his final college season and scouts describe him as a downhill one-cut zone runner who does not make defenders miss in tight spaces — a profile that limits his three-down upside and makes it harder to carve out a PPR role against more versatile backs like Jeanty.

Hemby reunites with Fernando Mendoza, the Raiders' R1 P1 pick and his Indiana QB who targeted him in the passing game. If Mendoza shows a strong preference for familiar targets early in his career, Hemby could carve out situational usage as a receiving back.

If Ashton Jeanty suffers a significant injury, the backfield hierarchy reshuffles quickly. While Washington Jr. would step into the RB1 role, a Jeanty absence plus any Washington Jr. setback would give Hemby a realistic path to carries and dynasty relevance.

His role as Indiana's primary kick returner (22.6 yd avg) and coverage-team willingness gives him a tangible 53-man path; B/R tabbed him the Raiders UDFA most likely to make the roster.

Hemby is approximately 21-22 years old as a 2026 UDFA and averaged 4.9 yards per carry at Indiana running zone concepts. His age and college production floor give him a longer development runway than a typical depth back if he can stick on the roster.