Las Vegas Raiders: Will Kenyan Drake bring down Josh Jacobs fantasy value?
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have two strong running backs in Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake, but when it comes to fantasy, do they ruin each other’s value?
Over his first two seasons in the NFL, Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs has been outstanding, racking up over 1,000 yards in each season. Last year, Jacobs earned his first Pro Bowl nod, but as is the case with any running back who has to shoulder the load, he wore down towards the end of the season.
To make sure that does not happen in 2021, especially as the NFL goes to a 17-game season, the Raiders brought in Kenyan Drake to be the team’s No. 2 running back. An all-purpose yards machine in his own right, Drake is going to be utilized in many ways in this Raiders offense, but how does that affect the fantasy football value of Jacobs?
Regarded as a top-10 fantasy running back, and someone who is young enough to be a ‘keeper’ in some leagues, Jacobs is a player that some fantasy teams will be built around. The problem is, for fantasy team owners, the addition to Drake could diminish the fantasy value of Jacobs, but is that really the case?
Raiders will lean on the run game in a big way in 2021
The truth is, both Jacobs and Drake should be featured in a big way in the Raiders offense, and we all know how much Gruden loves to run the ball. Jacobs is going to be the feature back in Las Vegas, that is without question, but Drake figures to get his chances in not only the run game but also through the air.
That could lead to fewer fantasy points for Jacobs, which is true, but the arrival of Drake will keep Jacobs healthy in 2021, and that should at least equal out the points he will lose by being hurt, or unavailable. Truth is, Drake or not, Jacobs is an RB1 in any league, and could finish with even more fantasy points than a year ago.
Of course, Raiders fans do not really care about what Jacobs brings to the table as a fantasy running back, only that he leads this team to victories, and stays healthy throughout. Jacobs is as talented a young running back as there is in the league, and when it comes to fantasy football, be confident when you select him this year.