3 Reasons Raiders RB Josh Jacobs should get extended

Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) finds an opening during an overtime period against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) finds an opening during an overtime period against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) with the stiff arm during the second quarter in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Pro Bowl running backs don’t grow on trees

With the NFL Combine currently underway, it’s easy to get lost in the hype and forget there’s a reason why there’s only a finite number of NFL running backs. It is often difficult to have the complete package and be able to stay healthy long enough to make a name for yourself. The latter is true for Jacobs, who’s only played in 43 career games in the last three years.

Why the struggle to stay healthy? It’s a combination of a physical style of play that punishes Jacobs’ body, the other factor is having an underwhelming o-line for the better part of his career, especially the last two years. However, with Ziegler soon retooling the unit, Jacobs could see much-improved run blocking.

Let’s not forget that it wasn’t that long ago when Jacobs was named the 2019 PFWA Rookie of the Year when he amassed 1,150 rushing yards and nearly averaged five yards per carry. The biggest reason why the Raiders should consider extending Jacobs will be his new head coach and the power run scheme that he’ll likely soon implement.