Treat Josh Jacobs as Immediate Starter Throughout Training Camp
We see often that despite taking a player in the first round, teams are willing to play mediocre veterans as the rookie learns the playbook. Last year the Browns selected Baker Mayfield with the first overall pick but still decided to start Tyrod Taylor Week One.
It makes sense to not want to throw a rookie right into the fire, however, Josh Jacobs has all the intangibles and needs to be treated as the starter from the jump.
Last year at Alabama, Jacobs rushed 120 times for 640 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide’s litany of running backs kept Jacobs from producing eye-catching numbers, however, he still proved to be the best pro-ready running back in the draft.
Prototypical combination of size and skill-set as an every-down runner with the ability to slash or impose his will on any given snap. Jacobs runs with good bend, vision and burst, and he proved to be an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield or from the slot. He will probe and burst, but he could become more elusive with better tempo as a runner. Jacobs is a decisive runner with outstanding one-cut talent to become a bellcow lead back.
For a team looking to build towards a playoff run, taking a running back in the first round seems like a luxury pick. If Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden didn’t see Jacobs as the future, he wouldn’t be selected. There’s no point in having him sit behind Doug Martin if he has true bellcow abilities.
Last season, the Raiders as a whole finished 25th in the NFL with just 1,628 yards on the ground. Their 4.2 yards per carry ranked 23rd whereas their nine rushing touchdowns ranked tied for 27th. Bottom line, Oakland needs to improve on the ground.
Martin looked decent last season, but he is not the future. He isn’t the type of back you sit a first round pick behind. While he is likely to steal some touches from Jacobs, there’s no reason for him to be getting starting looks in training camp.
The Raiders have built a strong offensive line around Trent Brown, Gabe Jackson and Rodney Hudson. If Kolton Miller shows improvement Oakland can have one of the better O-Lines in the league. Throwing Jacobs into the fire is a lot easier when you’re strong in the trenches.
Oakland’s front office knew the team had to get better in the run game. In selecting Jacobs they acquired the best running back in the draft. He is the future of the franchise when it comes to the running back position.
Whether he starts or not he is still going to see plenty of touches in 2019. That being said, trading away Amari Cooper and Kahlil Mack to sit a first-rounder behind Doug Martin seems pretty redundant. Jacobs needs to be the starting running back come Week One.
