Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs had his fifth-year option declined by the team that drafted him, the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2022, the 2019 first-round draftee was stellar.
On 340 carries, he had 1,653 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also reeled in 53 passes for 400 receiving yards.
With Jacobs now set to become a free agent, he’s expected to be one of the most highly sought-after running backs in the entire league.
One team that Jacobs should expect to at least receive some interest from is the Miami Dolphins, a team that already has a handful of former Alabama stars in key roles.
CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani named one free agent every NFL team ought to prioritize this offseason. For the Dolphins, Dajani thinks Jacobs should be their guy.
“Jacobs was the best running back in the NFL last year, as he rushed for 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns,” writes Dajani. “Spotrac believe he’s set to sign a monster four-year, $51.4M extension that carries an AAV of $12.8M to make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL. My personal guess would be lower than that. The Dolphins don’t have a great cap situation, but keep an eye on what Miami does at running back. Jeff Wilson, Mostert, Ahmed and Gaskin are all free agents.”
Miami’s running back situation in 2022 wasn’t the greatest and, as Dajani mentioned, the entire backfield will be free agents this offseason. The front office may elect to bring one or two back, but the offense needs a running back like Jacobs to be rounded out.
Tua Tagovailoa has proven he can be the franchise quarterback the Dolphins drafted him to be, and the receivers around him are among the league’s best. All that’s missing is Jacobs.
There’s no telling what will happen in the 2023 offseason, as many teams, including the Dolphins, will be scrambling to address issues at various positions in hopes of competing for a Super Bowl next season.
Should he join the Dolphins, he would reunite with his former Alabama teammates: Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle and Raekwon Davis.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover former Alabama players in the NFL and those that are set to hit free agency.
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