The Oakland Raiders have done an excellent job at addressing some of their biggest needs this offseason. The team has dramatically upgraded their receiving corps, offensive line, and secondary.
However, the team currently has a massive hole at the running back position. Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin are currently free agents, and Jalen Richard is a restricted free agent as well. The team is reportedly bringing in Isaiah Crowell, but that would likely only be a short term solution.
In Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft on ESPN, he has the Raiders addressing that need at the end of the first round at pick No.24 with running back Josh Jacobs from Alabama. Take a look at his explanation for the pick below:
Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin, the Raiders’ top two backs last season, are both unsigned free agents, and the position is a huge question mark for Jon Gruden’s team in 2019. Could the best running back in the draft fall to them here? It’s possible. Jacobs has limited tread on his tires — just 300 career touches for the Crimson Tide — and is a receiving threat out of the backfield. Oakland has had a nice offseason, and with three first-rounders, these are important picks to get the franchise back on track.
Jacobs struggled at his Pro Day, running in the 4.6s for his 40-yard dash, but that is unlikely to scare teams away. He is a powerful inside runner with the ability to be a weapon in the passing game.
While there will likely be much better players available at pick No.24 for the Raiders, don’t be surprised if the team picks a running back fairly high in April’s draft. Jacobs is the best back in the class and would fill a big need for Oakland.
