2019 NFL Draft: Josh Jacobs is the draft’s top offensive player

Former Alabama football running back Josh Jacobs is not only the premier running back prospect, he’s the 2019 NFL Draft’s top offensive player.

Alabama’s Josh Jacobs flew under the radar for the majority of his collegiate career, and he wasn’t a heralded recruit coming out of high school, but for the first time in his career he’s a coveted prospect. He’s played second fiddle his entire career, and now Jacobs has separated himself as not only the premier running back prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft, but the top offensive player on draft boards.

With due respect to quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins, Ole Miss wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, the duo of impressive Iowa tight ends, and offensive linemen like Jawaan Taylor and Jonah Williams, there’s not a surer thing on the offensive side of the ball in this draft than Jacobs.

His career numbers won’t jump off the paper; he rushed for only 1491 yards in this three seasons with the Crimson Tide, with a season-high of 640 as a junior. He was a part of Alabama’s by-committee approach at the position from his freshman season and on, sharing the backfield with more heralded recruits like Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, and Najee Harris.

Jacobs always stood out, though, even if he was underutilized. He was just a three-star prospect coming out of high school in Oklahoma, with very few offers until Nick Saban came through with an offer late in the process that rocketed up his recruitment.

Jacobs flashed his potential throughout his career in Tuscaloosa, with scouts really beginning to take notice of his ability as a junior. His do-it-all versatility makes him a perfect fit for the modern NFL, and he was often the back in Alabama’s impressive stable that Saban trusted the most when his team needed a yard or two to move the sticks.

A strong finish to the season, with Jacobs putting together outstanding performances against Georgia, Oklahoma, and Clemson in the biggest games of the year, sent his draft stock soaring. His Pro Day only further solidified his place as the draft’s top running back, and, in my opinion, the best overall offensive player in the 2019 class.

Strengths

It’s Jacobs’ versatility that has him as such a coveted prospect. He’s a true five-tool player at the position, with his ability as a runner, receiver, and blocker, not to mention how he can impact the game as a kick returner.

Jacobs has elite vision and balance, which allows him to find the slightest area of weakness in a defensive front and then explode through the hole. He’s got excellent juke-moves in the open field, and he’s just as adept at getting around you with a cut as he is at lowering his shoulder and running right through you.

Jacobs is a powerful runner with a low center of gravity that makes him difficult to bring down when he gets to the second level. His receiving skills make him a perfect fit for the pass-happy NFL, and he’s capable of making plays down the field as a receiver instead of just serving as a safety-valve check-down option.

He’s also a willing downfield blocker, always happy to help escort his teammates to big gains. He relishes contact, whether as a runner or a blocker, and constantly leaves piles of bodies in his path of destruction.

Turn on the tape, it’s easy to see why Jacobs is head and shoulders ahead of the other NFL prospects at his position.

Weaknesses

There’s no real concerning negative on Jacobs. Some were concerned with his 4.6 40-yard-dash time, but the 40 is an overrated barometer for running backs. He doesn’t have elite top-end speed, but his short bursts are excellent, and he never struggled to gain separation in college.

He’s never been a featured running back, so while he doesn’t have many miles on his legs, it remains to be seen whether he can handle a workhorse load. He suffered numerous nagging injuries at Alabama, though none were overly serious, that could be concerning about his durability in the NFL.

Anything else would be grasping at straws; Jacobs is the most well-rounded offensive prospect in this class, and none of his perceived weaknesses are concerning enough to knock him off his perch atop draft boards at his position.

Draft Projection

Jacobs is the draft’s top running back prospect by a significant margin. Past that, he’s also the draft’s top offensive player, and the surest thing on that side of the ball in this class. There are red flags to be found for any other player on that side of the ball, and none are present for the Alabama running back.

His position could cause him to slip, as most NFL teams don’t place as high of value on running backs as they used to. Still, his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways should keep him in the first round. Projecting where, however, is difficult, as some have him as high as the Top 10.

Projection: First Round