The Raiders freely admit they didn’t want to put “too much” on running back Josh Jacobs’ plate his rookie year. In hindsight, that was the prudent move. The (then-Oakland) Raiders’ No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 draft galloped for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns (on 242 totes) but only appeared in (and started) 13
No Josh-ing: Jacobs’ improvement as a blocker will open role as pass catcher
Raiders have roughly 3-4 years to maximize Jacobs given shelf life of running backs is limited. I’m not certain it prudent to sign running backs to a second contract.
Raiders need to sign a backup (or draft one) to ensure the health of Jacobs going forward. He’s too valuable to be sitting on the sidelines.
Loved what Jacobs brought to the team last year, not least a willingness to play through an injury that would have stopped many players much earlier.
Its an obvious thing to say but the team needs to round out Jacobs in the passing game to keep opposing defenses guessing about pass v run. When he is able to be in there on all downs and able to run or catch it will open up all kinds of possibilities.
I like Richard in his pass catching role (He can move it on the ground too) but agree that we need a bigger back to spell Josh too.
Jacobs had a great season. Gruden will give him the ball 300+ times if Jacobs can handle it. That is why we picked him.