Would you rather see Marshawn Lynch or Doug Martin back with the Raiders in 2019?

Shortly after a groin injury landed Marshawn Lynch on injured reserve at midseason, head coach Jon Gruden told him he was interested in bringing him back in 2019. For his part Lynch seems interested in a return as he recently suggested on Real Time with Bill Maher.

“If it works out that way then I will,” Lynch said when asked about returning to the Raiders.

Neither Gruden or Lynch’s words automatically suggest he will return to the Raiders in 2019. Back in late November, Gruden also said he wanted Doug Martin, who was decent in place of Lynch when he was injured, back with the Raiders.

“Hopefully we can keep him around here,” Gruden said. “He’s a heck of a football player.”

So is he lying to one of them or does he want both of them back with injuries being a factor?

Both Lynch and Martin averaged exactly 4.2 yards per carry last year but Lynch had tougher sledding as the offensive line allowed Lynch just .74 yards per carry before contact according to Pro Football Focus. He was able to churn out 3.46 yards per carry after contact to finish 6th out of 72 qualified RB’s.

The offensive line wasn’t great for Martin either but they allowed him twice as many yards after contact (1.48) as Lynch. Martin gained 2.72 after contact to finish No. 44 out of 72 RBs. Martin actually finished last on his team in yards after contact behind DeAndre Washington averaged 2.76 yards after contact and Jalen Richard averaged 2.95.

It wasn’t by much but Lynch also had a better breakaway percentage at 18.1 to 16 for Martin. And Lynch had the big edge in ball security with no fumbles to three for Martin that he lost. Pass-blocking is a dead heat as Martin’s pass blocking efficiency is 98.2 to 98 for Lynch.

Both of these men are over 30. Lynch is almost three years older as he will be 33 in April but he did take a full year off of football in temporary retirement.

Both are free agents so which one would you rather the Raiders to re-sign?