Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will look to be the primary running back in the offense this season. For the first five years of his NFL career, he has spent those years with the Las Vegas Raiders. Jacobs is in a better situation with Green Bay than he would be with Las Vegas.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide running back is an upgrade in the backfield from Aaron Jones. The Packers fans loved Jones and they were surprised to see him released the same day they signed Jacobs to the team. Just two years ago with the Raiders, he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,653 yards.
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A season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 13 games played. He rushed for 805 yards on 233 carries and six touchdowns, averaging 3.5 yards per rush. In the receiving game, Josh Jacobs caught 37 passes for 296 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 8.0 yards per reception. He was targeted 54 times.
Competition For Touches In the Backfield For Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs
Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus wrote about what kind of competition Jacobs will be facing for this fantasy football season. Jahnke said:
“Jacobs will face much more competition for touches with the Green Bay Packers than he ever did with the Raiders. He has consistently served as the early-down, goal-line and short-yardage running back at rates most fantasy managers dream of.
In Jacobs’ last five years with the Raiders, the only other running backs with over 100 carries were Zamir White and DeAndre Washington. Green Bay has A.J. Dillon, who has held a similar role to Jacobs in the past, and they added MarShawn Lloyd in the third round of the draft. Jacobs has spoken about not having goals and focused more on his health and legacy, which also points to Jacobs getting the ball less often than usual.
On the bright side, Jacobs was given a four-year, $48 million contract, so he’s assured of having a large role in the offense, even if it’s a rotation. The Packers also don’t have a clear third-down back anymore.”
Outside of Jacobs, there is a lot of uncertainty at the position at the moment. A.J. Dillon has not performed well and may not make the 53-man roster. Running back Marshawn Lloyd, the rookie from the USC Trojans, is dealing with a hamstring injury at the moment. Is there a chance Emanuel Wilson will be RB2 for the Packers, but would head coach Matt LaFleur trust him?
This could be a situation where Josh Jacobs can be the three-down running back with the Green Bay Packers like he was with the Las Vegas Raiders. Jahnke also added:
“Josh Jacobs is guaranteed to handle fewer carries per game in Green Bay than he ever did with Las Vegas. However, he should see more targets, and targets are more valuable for fantasy production.
There is still a lot of uncertainty about how running back snaps will get distributed in Green Bay. A top-five season is within the realm of possibilities if he takes the Aaron Jones role and thrives, but it’s also possible that MarShawn Lloyd outshines him and Jacobs is a bust.”
At this point, Josh Jacobs may not be a fantasy bust for the Green Bay Packers. Until there is clarity behind him, he is going to be the workhorse in the backfield for them.
