4. Can rookie running back Josh Jacobs be an adaptive three-down ball carrier post-Marshawn Lynch?
Everyone loved “Beast Mode.” From his love of Skittles to using the flame in O*kland to spark a joint, the dude was always entertaining and worked his tail off in the trenches for his hometown team. Lynch is gone and the Raiders drafted Alabama running back Josh Jacobs to replace him.
Only seven other teams averaged fewer rushing yards than Oakland did last year (101.8 ypg), and only three other teams scored fewer than the Raiders’ nine rushing touchdowns. Needless to say, Jacobs is expected to improve those numbers. With a better receiving corps, the field should be stretched enough for Jacobs to hit the hole, and slip by defenders. But is he a three-down back?
Jacobs never played that three-down role at Alabama. In fact, in his three collegiate seasons, Jacobs carried the ball just 251 times, and no more than 120 times in any one season. Six NFL running backs rushed the ball at least 250 times last season, to put it into perspective. If durability is a concern, veterans Doug Martin and Jalen Richards should help spell Jacobs but, make no mistake, Jacobs is here to handle the ball.
