Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs an early favorite for Rookie of the Year

Josh Jacobs has dominated for the Oakland Raiders this season, making an early case for Rookie of the Year honors as the team enters their bye week.

Newly drafted Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has been making his case for why he’s deserving of the Rookie of the Year nomination. Through the first five games of the season, he’s accumulated 470 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 88 carries, coming out to 4.9 yards per carry.

Among running backs this year, Pro Football Focus ranks Josh Jacobs No. 2 overall with an 85.6 rating only behind Christian McCaffrey at 90.8. While McCaffrey is used more in the passing game, giving him the edge, Jacobs has the highest rushing rating at 85.4, ahead of Dalvin Cook at 85, McCaffrey at 84.6, and Phillip Lindsay 81.8.

Just as important to the stats is his lack of turning the ball over. He hasn’t fumbled in his first five games, and has been on the field for a total of 178 snaps of the 312 offensive snaps for a total of 57% on the field for the rookie running back.

Selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft at pick No. 24, he was selected with the pick which came in part with the Khalil Mack trade to the Chicago Bears, who the Raiders just demolished in London last week. The offensive line opened holes for the rookie, who ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns, with a 4.73 yards per carry.

When Jacobs gets more than 17 carries the team is 3-0 on the season and less than 17, they are 0-2 on the season. Jacobs has been the key to the Raiders success this season.

One improvement he can make is in the passing game. PFF ranks him at 61%, but that’s mainly due to the teams lack of using him in the passing game.

On the season he only has eight targets with six catches for 77 yards and one drop. It’s no surprise the top two receiving backs are McCaffrey, again, and Austin Ekeler at 94.

One thing is for sure, Josh Jacobs is shaping up to be an elite running back in the NFL. For all the noise the Raiders heard about selecting a running back in the first round, Jacobs proved his worth on Sunday, as the Raiders ran all over the Bears top-ranked defense, making a statement as they rolled into their bye week sitting at 3-2.