Las Vegas Raiders 2020 early season grades: The Offense
Las Vegas Raiders 2020 early season grades: The Offense
Running backs – Josh Jacobs, Devontae Booker, Jalen Richard
Josh Jacobs has been just as good in 2020 as we was in 2020 and continues to be one of the best backs in the NFL. Through five games, Jacobs leads the NFL in rushing attempts with 106 and is second in the league with 377 yards. He is also tied four other players for second in rushing touchdowns with 5 total.
Jacobs has yet to put together a 100-yard performance on the ground, but has the bell cow back for the Raiders with all those rushing attempts and has showed off his versatility with 15 catches for 108 yards. He caught just 20 passes for 166 yards in 2019 so he has definitely worked on that aspect of his game.
Similar to 2019, when Jacobs has over 20 carries the Raiders usually win and they are 3-0 this year when he hits that benchmark.
Jacobs’ added versatility has impacted Jalen Richard’s stats, as the veteran back has put up negligible numbers so far and is on pace less than 20 receptions and around 100 yards. All he needs is one big game or even one big drive to change that but as of now he is not being used much by Jon Gruden.
Devontae Booker has been a solid addition to the backfield and has all the makings of a competent backup running back. He was huge in the victory over Kansas City with 62 yards on just seven carries, and is averaging seven yards per carry this season. If Jacobs is ever to miss some time the Raiders would be comfortable leaning on Booker as a plug-in starter but we should hope that doesn’t come to pass.
We’ll include Alec Ingold in this group as he has been a key contributor with six first downs receiving and a touchdown. He has already eclipsed his 2019 reception and receiving totals and is another reason that Richard’s targets and numbers have gone down.