Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will be the 2019 NFL offensive rookie of the year — if Raiders coach Jon Gruden gets what he wants.

Jacobs, selected out of Alabama with the 24th overall pick in the draft, said on NFL Network that Gruden has told him that the Raiders are expecting that of him.

According to the rest of the story, the Raiders seem like they are going to put Jacobs in a position to accomplish that goal. Jacobs is likely to get a lot of carries in Gruden’s offense, and also a lot of catches: Jacobs said he has been practicing at wide receiver in addition to running back, and the Raiders expect to use him all over the field.

Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur's assessment for Jalen Richard for this season, "Gruden said Richard reminds the coach of Charlie Garner and is deserving of a bigger role. And then he drafts Josh Jacobs in the first round to be a three-down back. Richard will probably split backup carries with Doug Martin and will lose a good chunk of those 68 catches last year to Jacobs. "

Richard should continue to be the preferred receiving back over Doug Martin, but as long as Josh Jacobs stays on the field all three downs, Tafur's prediction will be spot on and a good reason to like Jacobs this year.

Related players: Josh Jacobs, Doug Martin

Running back Josh Jacobs, one of the team’s three first-round picks in April, is the only Raiders draft pick still unsigned and league sources say the negotiations have not been going well. There is a growing sentiment that Jacobs will not be at camp when rookies report on July 23. (The official start of camp — when the veterans report — is three days later.)

The holdup appears to be a payment schedule for his signing bonus. Any time missed in camp will put Jacobs behind the other RBs and could at least affect his workload early on in the season. He's expected to be the team's top back this year and we rank him 20th at the position.

The Raiders are bringing back RB Doug Martin, sources tell me and @wyche89. Martin ran got 723 yards with Oakland last year. Rejoins the team following the loss of Isaiah Crowell.

Related players: Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, Chris Warren

Martin will likely serve as the backup to Josh Jacobs. Isaiah Crowell was more of a threat to Jacobs' workload than Martin is, so Jacobs is in line for 250+ touches as the Raiders' lead back.

Raiders’ RB Isaiah Crowell tore his Achilles during a workout with the team Monday and is out for the season, per source. Crowell will undergo season-ending surgery next week. Brutal blow for a player who signed a one-year contract with Oakland.

Related players: Josh Jacobs, Jalen Richard

The Raiders signed Crowell before drafting Josh Jacobs in the first round, so Crowell was likely to back up Jacobs unless the rookie fell flat on his face in the preseason. Jacobs still has to compete for passing down snaps with Jalen Richard, but is otherwise looking good for 250+ targets in 2019.

After two seasons playing for his hometown Oakland Raiders, Marshawn Lynch is not planning to play football again, league sources tell ESPN.

Now, with the three-day draft kicking off Thursday night in Nashville, the Raiders have one more potential need to address: running back.

Rapoport: "They plan to take a RB early. Josh Jacobs in the 20s is a possible target for Oakland."

Related players: Isaiah Crowell, Jalen Richard

The Raiders have 18.2 touches per game that were vacated by Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin. While they did sign Isaiah Crowell, it would be an excellent landing spot for a rookie due to the opportunity available.