The Oakland Raiders hope they got a steal taking running back Josh Jacobs with the 24th pick and looking at Pro Football Focus and their rankings on Jacobs; it appears he could be that.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs can do a little bit of everything pic.twitter.com/uUAqgx7khb
— PFF (@PFF) May 14, 2019
In 2018 with the Alabama Crimson Tide Jacobs was the sixth highest graded running back of all draft-eligible backs. His rushing grade 85.2 which was the 11th highest back. He ranked the 18th highest in receiving and was also the 22nd best pass blocker in the class.
Although he didn't rank in the top five in any of the statistics he ranked in the top 22 of all the important ones, and that means overall he is a solid back.
Article Continues BelowThere are a lot of good running backs that can catch and run with the ball but can't block anyone, but it appears that Jacobs is outstanding in all areas of his game.
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr was impressed with the tape on Jacobs and thinks that he will have a significant impact on the Raiders this upcoming season.
This is an easy one, right? Isaiah Crowell is out for the season. Doug Martin is back, but he’s declining. Marshawn Lynch is gone. That means there’s a hole atop the Raiders’ running back depth chart. You should know by now that I don’t love taking running backs in the first round, but this was such a Jon Gruden pick. Jacobs is a grinder, a complete back who breaks tackles and can catch passes. He can play on third down. He had just 291 career touches from scrimmage at Alabama, so he has limited tread on his tires. Jacobs’ best is yet to come.
If Gruden gives Jacobs his shot this season, don't be surprised if he is the player that comes away with offensive rookie of the year.