Raiders: Has Josh Jacobs been better than expected through Year 3?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders rushes the ball during overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 09: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders rushes the ball during overtime against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Raiders
Jan 9, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) gestures as he runs off the field after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Raiders: Has Josh Jacobs been better than expected through Year 3?

What has he done so far?

Jacobs moved right into the starting lineup as a rookie and posted an incredible first season in the league that saw him rush for over 1,000 yards. In that season, Jacobs had five 100-yard games but was bitten by the injury bug down the stretch, missing three of the team’s last four games, leading to them missing out on the playoffs.

In those 13 games, Jacobs rushed for over 1,100 yards, scored seven touchdowns, and finished as the runner-up for the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honor. In Year 2, Jacobs would appear in all but one game for the Silver and Black, make his first Pro Bowl, and post his second 1,000-yard season, scoring 12 touchdowns.

He emerged as one of the best young running backs in football, and to keep him fresh, the team went out and got Kenyan Drake to back him up for the 2021 season. Unfortunately, Drake was injured early on, and Jacobs’ production in the run game suffered, though he showed he would be a real asset in the passing game, hauling in over 50 catches.