2019 NFL Draft: 10 potential surprise first round picks

I’ve been saying all year that if Josh Jacobs declared for the NFL Draft, he would be the No. 1 running back taken. A lot of analysts are starting to come on board the Jacobs hype train, with a few even placing him inside the Top 5 in their mock drafts, while others are still a bit timid on him and view others as superior prospects.

Jump on the bandwagon now while there is still room because Jacobs is unquestionably the No. 1 running back in this draft class in my mind, and is almost certainly going to be taken in the first round of the draft come April barring something unexpected between now and then.

The Alabama runner was underutilized during his time in Tuscaloosa, but he was a gem that Nick Saban uncovered on the recruiting trail out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jacobs shined when he was given the opportunity and had his national coming out party in Alabama’s Orange Bowl victory over his home-state Sooners.

Jacobs checks all the boxes of an NFL running back, with his ability as a runner, pass-catcher, and blocker. Jacobs has a low center of gravity with outstanding balance, which he packages with a truly devastating juke move and first-cut ability, making him a nightmare for defenders who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of trying to make a one-on-one tackle against him.

He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is plenty quick enough with a quick burst that allows him to separate from defenders. His true value is his versatility as Jacobs has proven to be a reliable pass-catcher, potentially the best in the class at his position.

He’s strong on catching swing passes and making plays in space, and maybe even better at making plays down the field. He had a remarkable sideline catch against Clemson in the National Championship Game that a lot of wide receivers would have struggled to come down with.

Jacobs is also a menacing blocker, thirsting for contact as he clears paths for his teammates down the field. His downfield blocking was the stuff of legend this year in Tuscaloosa, and the entire nation saw him run over an Oklahoma defender at the goal line en route to a touchdown.

Alabama’s Damien Harris was the prospect that most pundits focused on over the last couple of years, but Jacobs has easily surpassed him and all others to be the top running back in this class.

I don’t think he’ll be picked in the top five like some, but I do expect Jacobs to hear his name called in the mid-to-late first round range; I’m particularly intrigued by his fit alongside Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs.