After eight seasons in the NFL, a former third-round pick and Indianapolis Colts running back has decided to retire.
Kenyan Drake, a veteran running back and former Indianapolis Colts player, has announced his retirement from the NFL. Ian Rapoport, an NFL.com insider, reported the news.
Veteran RB Kenyan Drake has announced his retirement from the NFL pic.twitter.com/y3UgpEAODj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 19, 2024
Drake’s NFL career began in 2016, when the Miami Dolphins drafted him in the third round (73rd overall) out of Alabama. Drake never emerged as a genuine starter for the Dolphins during his tenure there, but he did provide solid depth metrics to help the offense move down the field. Drake’s greatest year came in 2020, after playing for Miami and the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.
Drake led the Cardinals in rushing with 955 yards and 10 touchdowns that season. However, he quickly found himself bouncing around to the Las Vegas Raiders (2021), then the Baltimore Ravens (2022-2023) and Green Bay Packers (2023).
While Drake’s visit to Indianapolis in 2023 was brief, some speculated that he could play a key part in Shane Steichen’s offense, considering Jonathan Taylor’s uncertain status at the time. However, Drake did not make the roster and spent 2023 with the Ravens and Green Bay Packers.
He appeared in 104 games over the course of eight seasons. In that time, he carried 869 times for 3,866 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and 33 rushing touchdowns. Drake was also effective as a receiver, catching 218 catches for 1,655 yards and eight touchdowns.
