Josh Jacobs was a key contributor for the Las Vegas Raiders offense in 2019. After being as good as advertised in his rookie campaign, he could become an All-Pro running back in 2020.
There’s no doubt Jacobs is poised to be better in his second year in the NFL. Last year, he had 1,150 rushing yards, averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored seven touchdown downs. He did it in spite of constantly being bothered by a shoulder injury that eventually made him miss three games.
With all the offensive additions the Raiders made in free agency and the draft, Jacobs could be even better. He will probably see less stacked boxes and Lynn Bowden Jr. as well as Jalen Richard will spell him from time to time.
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Josh Jacobs’ Ascension to the Top
NFL Media writer Dan Hanzus also sees Jacobs taking a leap in production in his second year, but he doesn’t stop there. He thinks that things are in place for Jacobs to become an All-Pro player at his position.
“With all due respect to Kyler Murray (who will pop up later this week in the second part of this column), Jacobs deserved Offensive Rookie Of the Year honors in 2019. He was one of the most productive running backs in football before a shoulder injury curtailed his season in December. Pro Football Focus graded Jacobs out as the league’s most elusive rusher to go with a top-five grade in yards after contact.”
“Add the comments made by general manager Mike Mayock, who said at the NFL Scouting Combine that he expected Jacobs to have a bigger role in the Raiders’ passing game in 2020. We’re about to see Jacobs make a jump to All-Pro-level production in Year 2.”
Last season, Jacobs helped the Raiders move the ball, but he alone can’t get them over the hump. That’s why they tried to get as many reinforcements as they could in the offseason to decrease his workload. In turn, that should make Jacobs more effective.
The Raiders should be better-rounded in 2020. That will help Jacobs be more productive and possibly an All-Pro running back.
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Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal
