Free agency is almost here, which means running back Josh Jacobs could have a new team before long. The former first-round pick was supposed to hit free agency following a phenomenal 2022 season where he led the league with 1,653 rushing yards. However, Las Vegas used the franchise tag on him and, after a lengthy offseason holdout, kept him around for the 2023 season.
Unfortunately, Jacobs was unable to replicate his success in 2023. Battling injuries throughout the year, the running back appeared in just 13 games while recording 805 yards and six touchdowns on 233 carries (3.5 yards per carry). Even though he’s another year older and coming off a disappointing season, Josh Jacobs is remaining positive heading into free agency.
“I trust in God’s plan,” Jacobs said, per the Las Vegas Review Journal. “Obvoiusly, this is home for me. Regardless of how it plays out, this is still somewhere I will forever keep a house and things like that. I will forever keep a home.”
Josh Jacobs Staying Level-Headed Ahead Of Free Agency
No matter what happens in free agency, it sounds like Josh Jacobs will always consider Vegas to be his home. However, the NFL is a business at the end of the day, and it doesn’t appear as if Jacobs fits into the long-term plans of the organization.
Now entering his age-26 season, Jacobs is coming dangerously close to the age where running backs start to drop off. While he likely has another year or two of high-level play in his tank, the Raiders might need more time than that to get into playoff shape. Head coach Antonio Pierce is going to need some time to undo the damage caused by the Josh McDaniels Era, and that includes starting over from scratch at quarterback. Running back is a luxury position in today’s NFL, and can the team justify a heavy investment in an aging Jacobs when Zamir White did a perfectly adequate job as a starter?
Fortunately for Jacobs, there should be plenty of teams interested in signing him during free agency. While he might not get the life-changing money reserved for quarterbacks and wide receivers, he can still be the missing piece for a team that hopes to hoist a Lombardi in 2024.
Top Destinations
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens running backs have struggled to stay healthy for a few seasons now. J.K. Dobbins missed two of the past three seasons, Gus Edwards has been on and off the injured reserve, and promising rookie Keaton Mitchell suffered a season-ending injury of his own. With Dobbins and Edwards both set to hit free agency, the team could use a sure thing like Josh Jacobs in the backfield. Jacobs can be deadly regardless of the situation, but pairing him up with Baltimore’s offensive line and an elite dual-threat in Lamar Jackson should bring out the best in the former first-round pick.
Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane was unstoppable as a rookie when he was actually healthy. However, the Texas A&M product couldn’t consistently stay on the field. Officially listed at 5′-9″ and 188 pounds, the former third-round pick might just be too small to handle a three-down workload. Signing Josh Jacobs in free agency would give Achane a better shot of staying healthy throughout a full 17-game season without sacrificing the ability to move the ball on the ground.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon is one of the most likely running back cap casualties in the league, and the Bengals will need to find a replacement if they part ways with the veteran. Chase Brown has played well in small samples, but this team could use someone like Josh Jacobs in free agency to provide a reliable ground threat. With opposing defenses focusing on Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and (maybe) Tee Higgins, Jacobs should be able to exploit lighter boxes.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the few teams left who truly believe in the importance of the running back position. Jerry Jones wanted Tony Pollard to be his starting running back of the future, but Pollard was not up for the challenge. The former fourth-round pick is better off as a complementary player, and even if they re-sign him in free agency, the Cowboys could use somebody like Josh Jacobs. In 2022, Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott formed one of the best backfield duos in the game, and Dallas could try to recapture that magic with Pollard and Jacobs.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are not going to compete for a Super Bowl in 2024. However, they need all the offensive help they can get, and that includes running back. Miles Sanders was one of the worst free agent signings in the league last year, and while he might be too expensive to cut, the Panthers shouldn’t count on him being anything more than an overpriced backup. Much like the Cowboys, Carolina believes that a good rushing attack can make a big impact for a young quarterback, and if they think Josh Jacobs can help save Bryce Young, then they’ll pay up for him in free agency.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
