After a fantastic rookie season, second-year running back Josh Jacobs is looking to establish himself as one of the league’s best running backs in 2020. Despite playing with a severe shoulder injury, Jacobs was able to total 1,316 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games last season.
Entering 2020, Jacobs appears ready for an even bigger workload this season. So what are realistic expectations for the former Alabama star? At The Huddle, they are projecting Jacobs to total 1,530 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore. Take a look at their thoughts on Jacobs this season:
“Jacobs was the first RB drafted in 2019 and he paid back the Raiders with 1,150 rushing yards and seven TDs, along with 20 catches for 166 yards. His role as a receiver was less than expected since they opted to include Jalen Richard as the third-down back. Jacobs should see his role expanded at least incrementally, but the addition of new receivers won’t help his receiving totals to rise.”
With Jacobs averaging over 100 yards from scrimmage per game last season, this projection doesn’t feel all that far off. There are certainly injury concerns with Jacobs, but the talent and skill he has are undeniable. If he can play 14 or more games this season, 1,500 total yards seems like a lock given his role in the offense. In fact, a 2,000-yard season isn’t impossible should he stay healthy and if he can become more involved as a receiver.
Speaking of his receiving ability, that is currently Jacobs’ biggest question mark entering the year. Last season, Jacobs saw just 27 targets and caught only 20 passes all season. Jacobs has said that he wants to be more involved in the passing game this season and has set a goal of 60 receptions for the 2020 season. He clearly has talent as a receiver; it’s just up to the Raiders if they want to use him more in that phase of the game.
If Jacobs sees that kind of workload in the passing game, 1,500 total yards will be a given. But if he continues to share receiving work with the likes of Jalen Richard and Lynn Bowden, it could limit his ceiling quite a bit.
Jacobs is currently going in the second round of fantasy drafts as RB8, according to MyFantasyLeague. Given the uncertainly of other running backs due to contract and injury disputes, don’t be surprised if Jacobs’ average draft position rises over the next two weeks.
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