5 things Oakland Raiders fans should be thankful for in 2019

By Matt Holder | Nov 27, 2019

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: (L-R) Head coach Jon Gruden, general manager Mike Mayock and quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders talk on the field before the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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OAKLAND, CA – NOVEMBER 17: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes past free safety Jessie Bates #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals and cornerback William Jackson #22 during the fourth quarter at RingCentral Coliseum on November 17, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 17-10. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

Josh Jacobs

Many people, including myself, questioned using a first-round pick on a running back. The position as a whole is diminishing in value and the Raiders were the only team to spend such a high pick on a ball carrier. However, Jacobs is proving he is an exception to the rule.

The Alabama product has become the focal point of Oakland’s offense and his 957 rushing yards ranks fifth in the NFL. The rookie is on pace to eclipse the thousand-yard mark which is a feat no Raiders running back has accomplished since Latavius Murray in 2016; who was the first since Darren McFadden in 2010.

Without Jacobs, the Silver and Black’s offense would be anemic and the future would look bleak. The running back has proven he is more than capable of being a feature back and is a building block for the franchise.

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