Reasonable expectations for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 Week 1
Josh Jacobs has 100+ all-purpose yards
Over the off-season, we saw Dave Ziegler and the Raiders front office decline to pickup Josh Jacobs’ 5th-year option. While some were surprised by this move, many expected this new regime not to commit a larger contract to a running back, let alone one who has dealt with injury issues over the first three years of his career.
That being said Jacobs has proved a valuable asset to this Raiders team when healthy. In 2020 he had a pro bowl season, rushing for 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns. Ironically enough his 3.9 yards per carry was his lowest throughout all three years.
If anything sheds a bright spot on where he fits in this McDaniels system, it’s how he showed improvement in the receiving side of his game. Jacobs set career numbers in receptions, receiving yards, and catch percentage, showing he can be reliable and make plays in the passing game.
Although McDaniels plans to lead a running back by committee type offense like we saw in New England, I believe Jacobs will see the majority of snaps out of the group. If the amount of screen passes McDaniels ran in the preseason is any indication of what we will see this year, look for one of the league’s top RBs in broken tackles to benefit from the scheme change.