Josh Jacobs

Week 4 at Los Angeles Chargers

Josh Jacobs had had a pretty rough start to the season. He’s averaging just 2.4 yards per carry and has yet to find the end zone. Still, he’s averaging 18.3 touches per game, and with that kind of workload, you have to think things will get better. He had a season-high 80 yards on 17 carries and three receptions last week against the Steelers, so things are at least trending in the right direction.

Jacobs faces the Chargers this week, who rank fourth in aFPA to opposing running backs. Part of that has been the shootouts Los Angeles has been a part of, forcing opposing teams to throw the ball. Alexander Mattison had his best game of the season last week against this defense, so game script is likely more important than stout defense as a factor. If Jacobs can get the touches, it’s a good week for him to rebound. We have him ranked just inside our 10 best fantasy running backs this week.

Week 2 at Buffalo Bills

Josh Jacobs didn’t have a great start to his fantasy season, despite the Las Vegas victory in Week 1 over the division-rival Broncos. He was held to just 48 yards on 19 attempts, though he added a pair of receptions for 23 receiving yards. It was good to see him get 21 touches, however, continuing his trend of maximum usage from last year.

The Bills were gashed by Breece Hall for 127 yards on 10 carries - although that was greatly impacted by two long runs, including an 83-yarder early in the game. Buffalo held Dalvin Cook to just 33 yards on 13 rushing attempts, and that’s probably more indicative of the defensive talent in Buffalo. Still, Jacobs is as good as it gets from a rushing talent perspective, so he should be active in all leagues.

Fantasy Upside
So much for Josh McDaniels carrying on Bill Belichick’s fickle running back policies in Las Vegas. Josh Jacobs was second in the league in rushing attempts with 340 last year, and he led the league with 1,653 yards. He scored 12 touchdowns and he even added 53 receptions for 400 receiving yards. Jacobs is talented, still just 25 years old, and regularly plays through pain. Coming off his best season as a pro, he has shown the ability to be one of the top fantasy running backs in the game.

Fantasy Downside
Jacobs plays through pain, but will he play on the franchise tag? He currently hasn’t signed and looks like a potential hold out. If he misses training camp and preseason, durability questions will ring louder. If he misses any games, his lofty second-round price tag will be tough to swallow. Also, Jimmy Garoppolo might be a wash replacing Derek Carr at quarterback, but Jimmy G isn’t a lock to start Week 1. That means Brian Hoyer could be starting for the Raiders, which would likely hurt the entire offense.

2023 Bottom Line
Jacobs is too risky to draft at cost right now. Despite a phenomenal season, it’s hard to invest that kind of draft capital into a player with a looming contract situation. See if you can postpone your draft as long as possible, just in case more clarity arrives heading into the start of the season, but if he misses too much of preseason programming, then look elsewhere in the second round of drafts.