Jacobs should be selected in the first two rounds in the majority of Fantasy leagues and valued as a top-10 running back in all formats. Now that he has reached a one-year contract compromise with the Raiders, there is an argument to take him even higher. Jacobs is still just 25 years old and he averaged 23.1 touches per game last year. He returns to the same team with the same coach and the same competition for touches. He is younger than the other backs who touched the ball as much as him last year, and so less likely for a decline. His receiving volume has generally spiked when either Darren Waller or Hunter Renfrow have been off the field, and Waller has already been jettisoned to New York. If Jimmy Garoppolo is 100% in training camp, Jacobs has a case to be this year's RB1.
Jacobs rushed 17 times for 62 yards and caught three of five targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 23-18 loss to Pittsburgh.
Jacobs' early struggles continue with his third inefficient, scoreless outing in three weeks to begin the 2023 campaign. The 25-year-old still maintained his every-down role, commanding 100 percent of Las Vegas' running back carries Sunday. Jacobs got off to a similarly sluggish start in 2022, averaging just 83.7 total yards with no scores in three games before going off for 175 yards and two touchdowns in Week 4. That's not to say he will suddenly turn things around against the Chargers next Sunday, rather a reminder for fantasy managers to remain patient early in the season. That said, if there was ever an ideal opponent to get right against, it would likely be this iteration of the Chargers' defense that has allowed 450.7 yards per game this year.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Receiving work saves day
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Jacobs rushed the ball nine times for -2 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Bills. He added five receptions on six targets for 51 yards.
Jacobs was scripted out of the game early on from a rushing perspective, though he wasn't at all effective with the ball in his hands, as six of his nine rushes went for zero or negative yards. He found more success as a pass catcher, an area of the game he has proven capable of consistently contributing to across the last two seasons. Even with his work as a pass catcher covering up his deficiencies on the ground, Jacobs' struggles through two games have to be noted, as he's managed only 46 yards on 28 carries.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Met with resistance Sunday
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Jacobs carried the ball 19 times for 48 yards and no touchdowns while catching two of his three targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Broncos.
Jacobs ran into the brick wall that was Denver's defensive front Sunday. On a positive note, the star back dominated the rushing touches, with only one other back (Zamir White) receiving a carry. Despite the poor production to kick off the season, fantasy managers can feel good about Jacobs' usage heading into next week's matchup against the Bills.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Aiming for full Week 1 workload
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Jacobs believes he's ready to take on a full workload Week 1 against the Broncos on Sunday but acknowledged that whether he gets the chance to do so will be up to the coaching staff, Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Jacobs held out for most of the offseason in hopes of a long-term deal before ultimately rejoining the Raiders in late August on a one-year pact. The NFL's 2022 rushing leader believes missing training camp and preseason has left him fresh to hit the ground running, but the Raiders may not think he's fully up to speed yet and thus could give Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah or Brandon Bolden more opportunities at Jacobs' expense in the season opener. Jacobs added that a personal goal for him in 2023 is to score a receiving touchdown, as none of his 160 career catches up to this point have wound up in the end zone.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Returns to practice
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Jacobs practiced Wednesday for the first time since last season, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Jacobs and the Raiders reached an agreement over the weekend to pay the running back about $1.7 million more than he would've made under the franchise tag. He says he's happy with the arrangement and doesn't harbor any hard feelings toward GM Dave Ziegler or the Raiders organization. The shaky depth behind him combined with last year's huge numbers suggest Jacobs is headed for another busy season, starting with a Week 1 trip to Denver for a 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday kickoff.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Agrees to new deal
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Jacobs and the Raiders have agreed to terms on an upgraded one-year contract worth up to $12 million, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Per Pelissero, the base value of Jacobs' new deal is $11.8 million, up from from the $10.091 million franchise tag the running back hadn't yet signed. Given the timing of the agreement, Jacobs should have ample time to prepare for the Raiders' season opener against the Broncos, a game in which the 2019 first-rounder is in line to reprise his role as the team's lead back, with Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden in reserve.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: No trade in works
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The Raiders haven't shown any interest in trading Jacobs, who has yet to sign his $10.09 million franchise tender for 2023, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Though the Raiders haven't been in trade talks with other teams Pelissero notes that nothing is imminent regarding the star running back getting back on the practice field. Until there's added clarity on that front, Jacobs' status for the Raiders' Sept. 10 season opener in Denver remains to be determined. That said, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal previously reported that Jacobs is expected to report to the Raiders before Week 1, but head coach Josh McDaniels acknowledged earlier this week that the longer Jacobs waits to join the team, the more the running back's early-season production could be affected. In the event that Jacobs isn't available or is eased into action early on during the campaign, Zamir White would be in line see added work out of the backfield.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Expected to report before Week 1
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Jacobs is expected to report to the Raiders before their season opener in three weeks, multiple league sources told Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Raiders coach Josh McDaniels when asked Sunday did not have an update on the situation.
Jacobs did not report to training camp, and there have been almost no reports on his status or any contract talks. Because he hasn't yet signed his franchise tag, the team hasn't been able to fine him for practice absences. That gives Jacobs, who led the league in rushing and yards from scrimmage last season, leverage to hold out until Week 1 before he starts facing significant financial penalties. Based on Bonsignore's report, Jacobs intends to end his holdout just before the regular season begins. In that scenario, it's not clear if he'll be in shape and ready to play right away, however. If Jacobs faces any limitations to begin the 2023 campaign, Zamir White would likely see increased work out of the backfield.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Won't report for training camp
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Jacobs will not report to training camp for the Raiders and was spotted on a flight out of Las Vegas on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Jacobs, who has yet to sign his franchise tender, intends to hold out of training camp beginning Tuesday. He and the Raiders failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract by last Monday's deadline, and because he hasn't yet signed his franchise tag, the team will not be able to fine him for practice absences. That gives Jacobs, who led the league in rushing and yards from scrimmage last season, leverage to hold out until Week 1 before he starts facing significant financial penalties. To call the 2019 first-round pick integral to Las Vegas' offense would be an understatement, and the team will need to divvy first-team reps between Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden until he returns to the practice field.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: No deal, may not report for camp
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Jacobs and the Raiders failed to reach agreement on a multi-year contract prior to the deadline Monday at 4:00 p.m. ET, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Jacobs is joined by Giants RB Saquon Barkley and Cowboys RB Tony Pollard, neither of whom signed a contract before the Monday deadline for franchise-tagged players. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Jacobs is not expected to report for the start of training camp with the rest of his teammates. The Raiders can't fine him for that unless he signs the franchise tag, which means Jacobs has until Week 1 to report before he starts missing out on large payments (his game checks for a $10.1 million franchise tag). The 25-year-old led the NFL in rushing and yards from scrimmage last season, setting career highs in a slew of categories in his fourth straight year as the Raiders' lead runner. The team doesn't have great options behind Jacobs, as their only other two RBs with even 50 career NFL carries are both veterans who mostly play on passing downs and special teams (Ameer Abdullah, Brandon Bolden). Zamir White, a 2022 fourth-round pick, might be the next man up for carries between the tackles.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Not at mandatory minicamp
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Jacobs hasn't signed his franchise tender and is ineligible for mandatory minicamp, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels didn't appear to be too concerned with the situation, saying he respects the process and is looking forward to seeing Jacobs in July when the deadline to sign the franchise tag expires. After battling a number of minor injuries through his first three NFL seasons, the 2019 first-round pick won the league's rushing crown in 2022, totaling career highs in rushing attempts (340), rushing yards (1,653) and receiving yards (400).
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Hasn't signed tag
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Jacobs hasn't signed his franchise tender and remains ineligible for OTA practices, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.
Jacobs presumably wants a long-term contract before the July 17 deadline and hasn't commented on what he'll do if that doesn't happen. He's coming off the best season of his career and is the leader of an otherwise thin backfield, with Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden the best bets to take first-team snaps while Jacobs is absent.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: To skip voluntary workouts
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Jacobs isn't slated to participate in the initial phase of the Raiders' offseason voluntary workouts,Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Given that Jacobs has yet to sign his franchise tag tender with Las Vegas, it's no surprise that the running back won't participate in the opening of the team's offseason program. Per Anthony Holzman-Escareno of NFL.com, the two sides have until July 17 to come to terms on a new deal, but if that doesn't occur, Jacobs would be in line to earn a fully guaranteed $10.06 million in 2023. Jacobs, who the Raiders selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, is coming off a career-best 2022 season in which he led the league with 1,653 rushing yards. Assuming the 25-year-old eventually either gets an extension or signs his franchise tag tender, Jacobs once again will be on track to remain the clear-cut top option in a backfield that currently also includes Ameer Abdullah, Zamir White, Brandon Bolden and Brittain Brown.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Tagged by Las Vegas
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The Raiders assigned their franchise tag to Jacobs on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The transaction was expected all along, as the tag keeps Jacobs from hitting the open market next week and allows the two sides to keep talking for the next four months in hopes of coming to terms on a multi-year deal. Jacobs is coming off a career year in which he rushed 340 times for a league-high 1,653 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also added 400 receiving yards on 53 catches. Jacobs should again be a fantasy difference-maker in 2023 as the centerpiece of the Las Vegas offense.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Likely to get the franchise tag
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The Raiders plan to place the franchise tag on Jacobs if the sides can't reach a long-term deal by Tuesday's deadline, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports.
Jacobs always seemed unlikely to leave Las Vegas after leading the league in rushing in his first season under coach Josh McDaniels. The Raiders can make him try and prove it again on a one-year, fully-guaranteed tag if they don't feel comfortable making Jacobs one of the highest-paid running backs in the league. At the moment, it appears as though Jacobs will remain with the Raiders for 2023 under any scenario.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Stymied on 17 carries
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Jacobs rushed the ball 17 times for 45 yards in Saturday's 31-13 loss to the Chiefs. He added two receptions for five yards.
Jacobs accounted for 17 of 18 carries by Las Vegas running backs, but he struggled to find room to run. His longest gain of the day went for 12 yards, and he managed only 2.6 yards per carry. Jacobs ends the season with 1,653 rushing yards, which will likely be good enough to lead the league. He also chipped in 53 receptions for 400 yards while finding the end zone a total of 12 times. Jacobs is set to become a free agent and will be one of the top available running backs.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Active versus Kansas City
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Jacobs (hip/oblique/personal) is listed as active for Saturday's game against the Chiefs.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the running back didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday while spending time in Tulsa with his father, who had emergency heart surgery, per sources. However, the NFL's leading rusher will be available versus Kansas City. Assuming no setbacks with the hip and oblique issues he's managed of late, Jacobs should lead the Raiders' Week 18 backfield. If he ends up limited at all, Zamir White, Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah would be candidates to log added snaps in the 6-10 team's season finale.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Slated to play Saturday
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Jacobs (hip/oblique/personal) is in line to play Saturday against the Chiefs, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
After not practicing Wednesday or Thursday while spending time in Tulsa with his father, who had emergency heart surgery per sources, the Raiders listed the running back (who has been managing hip and oblique injuries) as questionable for the contest, but per Pelissero, Jacobs is slated to be available versus Kansas City. Official confirmation of Jacobs' Week 18 status will arrive upon the release of the team's inactives ahead of Saturday's 4:30 ET kickoff.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Questionable for Week 18
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Jacobs (hip/oblique/personal) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Chiefs after not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.
The team's top running back -- who is dealing with hip and oblique issues -- is the only player the Raiders list as questionable for the contest, while linebacker Darien Butler (concussion) has been ruled out. Jacobs' status thus is worth monitoring closely as Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but if he's out or limited this weekend, some combo of Brandon Bolden, Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White would be in line to log added Week 18 backfield snaps for Las Vegas.
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Raiders' Josh Jacobs: Misses another practice
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Jacobs (hip) wasn't on the field for the open portion of Thursday's practice, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Jacobs has proven on prior occasions this season that he doesn't require much practice time, if any, to prepare for a given game, but he may still be at risk of missing his first game of the season Saturday against the Chiefs while he battles a nagging hip injury. Not only does Jacobs have the disadvantage of playing on a short week, but the 6-10 Raiders don't have anything at stake Saturday beyond perhaps denying a division rival the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. The Raiders will wait until after Thursday's practice concludes before likely handing Jacobs a designation for the Week 18 contest, if he isn't ruled out two days in advance of the game. Even if Jacobs ends up being cleared ahead of Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, he won't necessarily be a safe bet to handle his usual high-volume role out of the Las Vegas backfield.
