Is Josh Jacobs the best Raiders running back since Marcus Allen?
The competition is stiff for the title of best Raiders running back
Head-to-head, Jacobs still has a way to go before he catches up to Allen. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has 12,243 career rushing yards, miles ahead of Jacobs’s aforementioned 3,557. Nevertheless, you could make the argument that Jacobs is already ahead of other running backs who came before him.
The other name that often pops up is Bo Jackson. When it comes to physical attributes and impact on the field, Jackson may have Allen beat. Regrettably, injuries prevented Jackson from making an impact on the numbers. In fact, Jacobs has already surpassed Jackson in terms of rushing yards, touchdowns, and receiving yards as well.
Darren McFadden is the other running back that often gets cited since Allen’s playing days. The former first-round pick had an impressive short career that was derailed by nagging injuries. Playing with one of the consistently worst offensive lines will do that. In a head-to-head matchup, Jacobs currently has McFadden beat in touchdowns, 31-28.
When it comes to yardage, McFadden racked up 5,421 rushing yards in 103 career games. Jacobs (who’s played 48) needs just 1,844 to surpass McFadden. These two, like Allen and Jacobs, played in different eras of Raiders football.
There have also been other talented running backs that have made their own designated mark. Napoleon Kaufman, Justin Fargas, Tyrone Wheatley, and Charlie Garner all made an impact post-Marcus Allen. Statistically speaking, Jacobs has already surpassed several of those names, but will he catch up to Allen? That remains to be seen.