Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals: 3 things we learned

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Rico Gafford #10 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Foster Moreau #87, Marcell Ateman #88 and Alec Ingold #45 after scoring a receiving touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Rico Gafford #10 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with Foster Moreau #87, Marcell Ateman #88 and Alec Ingold #45 after scoring a receiving touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 15: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football past linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 15: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football past linebacker Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Josh Jacobs is going to be special

With their second of three first round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Alabama running back Josh Jacobs, and he proved to be worth the pick on Thursday. Though he only played one series, Jacobs showed the do-everything ability that Jon Gruden loves in his running backs, running with speed, and purpose.

For Jacobs, he has the ability to be a standout player in this offense, and though it was just a look on Thursday, Raider Nation has to be excited about him. He can run the ball through the tackles, and also break it to the outside, and once he gets going in the passing game, he could prove to be an elite player at his position.

Oakland has a bunch of good backup running backs on the roster, including DeAndre Washington, Doug Martin, and Jalen Richard, but Jacobs is a special kind of back. He is going to be the workhorse for this Raiders offense in 2019, giving star quarterback Derek Carr an incredible option out of the backfield.

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