The Las Vegas Raiders are at a standstill with Josh Jacobs heading into the 2023 season. Jacobs has yet to sign his franchise tender after it was placed on March 6.
Furthermore, both parties have yet to agree on a long-term contract extension, and they have until July 15. If that date passes and no agreement is reached, then Jacobs will play on a franchise tag or not play this season.
As a result, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin has written the possible long-term landing spot for Jacobs. Meanwhile, heading into a new NFL season, Pro Football Focus published the best-receiving corps and Raiders fans should be excited about the media outlet’s high hopes for the group.
Where could Josh Jacobs land long-term?
NFL running backs don’t have a long shelf life, so players must secure a lucrative long-term contract at the first opportunity. Jacobs has rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons in the league.
The only season the 25-year-old failed to crack the 1,000 rushing-yard threshold was in 2021. Additionally, Jacobs has earned two Pro Bowl recognitions early in his career, so he likely feels that a significant payday is warranted.
However, if the Silver and Black rescind the franchise tag, allowing Jacobs to hit the open market, Benjamin believes the player’s long-term home could be within the AFC West with a three-year contract worth $39 million.
“We doubt the Raiders would prefer to trade their franchise player inside the division, but Denver’s new coach, Sean Payton, gushed about Jacobs earlier this offseason, paid decent money for starting RBs in New Orleans, and could use downhill insurance as Javonte Williams returns from injury, with newcomer Samaje Perine better suited for No. 2 duties,” Benjamin wrote.
“Las Vegas could simply rescind the franchise tag if it knows Jacobs is committed to netting a bigger deal elsewhere, allowing the Raiders’ quasi-Patriots regime to save an instant $10M and revert to a RB-by-committee approach.”
If Jacobs were to end up within the division, it would be a worst-case scenario for the Raiders. The Alabama product might have plenty of motivation when playing Vegas twice a season. Nonetheless, the Raiders have a couple of weeks to resolve the matter with one of the NFL’s top rushers.
The Raiders have a top-10 receiving corps…
PFF published their rankings of the NFL’s top receiving corps and Vegas fans might like where the outlet sees the team’s positioning, which is at No. 8. The Raiders having Davante Adams helps, but behind the 30-year-old is an excellent supporting cast.
Adams recorded 100 receptions along with 1,516 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his first season. Even though Hunter Renfrow’s production dipped in 2021, PFF still sees the 27-year-old with good eyes.
Then, sliding into the No. 3 role at wide receiver is Jakobi Meyers. The former Patriot has accumulated over 800 receiving yards in the last two seasons. So this could be the year the 26-year-old cracks the 1,000-yard mark.
At tight end, the Raiders parted ways with Darren Waller this offseason in a highly criticized move. Still, they added Austin Hooper in free agency and drafted Michael Mayer. Between Hooper and Mayer, the two will likely replace Waller’s production at the position.
Should he still be on the team, Josh Jacobs is a threat in the receiving game. Don’t forget, he had 400 yards in the passing game last season. The Raiders have plenty of weapons on offense; that’s not debatable. However, the biggest question is: who will get these players the ball?
Jimmy Garoppolo was the big offseason signing, but it will be interesting to see if the veteran quarterback is ready to go in Week 1 after foot surgery.
*Top Photo: Abbie Parr/Associated Press