Oakland Raiders quick reaction NFL Grades 2019: Josh Jacobs
The Oakland Raiders became the first team to draft a running back in the 2019 NFL Draft, selecting Josh Jacobs out of Alabama at number 24 overall.
The Oakland Raiders went offense with the 24th overall pick, drafting Josh Jacobs of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite splitting carries for the Crimson Tide, the 5’10, 216 pounds Jacobs was considered the top running back in the draft. With the retirement of Marshawn Lynch, Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock may have found their running back for the future.
Jacobs rushed for 640 yards on 120 carries for Alabama in his junior year. He tallied 11 rushing touchdowns while adding 247 receiving yards and three additional receiving touchdowns. Despite sharing carrying duties and being a three-star recruit out of Tulsa, Josh Jacobs was the Crimson Tide’s more dynamic playmaker in the backfield.
Why the pick makes sense
The debate over whether taking a running back in the first round will continue till the end of days, but given the second retirement of Marshawn Lynch, it’s clear to see what Gruden and Mayock were thinking at pick number 24. Despite having options at the running back position, it is still unclear whether Oakland has their running back of the future.
With Jacobs, the Raiders have a talent that can be developed for the future. Isaiah Crowell is on a one-year deal and DeAndre Washington and Chris Warren are still unknowns for the long-term. Jalen Richard is a change-of-pace back. With the Jacobs selection, here’s hoping Oakland has its running back to replace Beastmode.
How he helps the team
With Jacobs, the Raiders have an explosive, hard runner out of the backfield that will be a welcome addition to an offense that clearly struggled at points last season. Fans loved what they saw out of Beastmode, but it was clear that he was at the end of his career. Richard’s pass-catching capability would be a great compliment alongside the hard-hitting playstyle of Jacobs.
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Jacobs can be the do-it-all type of back that should help the Raiders offense in the long-run. Whether that be pass catching or providing pass protection, he’ll have ample opportunities to prove himself as a piece for the future.