Las Vegas Raiders: 5 musts for the offense to succeed in 2021

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HENDERSON, NEVADA – JULY 28: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders catches a pass during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 28, 2021 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: 5 musts for the offense to succeed in 2021

4. Josh Jacobs must stay healthy

Josh Jacobs has already established himself as one of the best running backs in the NFL and he was rewarded with his first Pro Bowl selection in 2020. There has been a similar story however in his first two seasons as Jacobs was unable to play in all 16 games due to injury.

A combination of shoulder and lower body injuries forced him to miss a handful of games already and the offense suffered when he was not on the field.

Jon Gruden and the Raiders staff are acutely aware of his struggles to stay healthy and they have an excellent backup plan in free-agent addition, Kenyan Drake. The former Arizona Cardinal has been a lead back in the past and he should be able to take a great deal of wear and tear off of Jacobs, as well as being a playmaker on this offense.

The combination of the two Alabama stars should help Jacobs stay healthy late in the season when a strong running game is especially required. A healthy Jacobs will be vital as the Raiders have two late-season trips to cold-weather cities in Kansas City and Cleveland that could end up determining their playoff position.

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