NFL Draft 2019: Raiders improve offense with Alabama’s Josh Jacobs

The Raiders made the decision to improve their offensive firepower with their second pick of the NFL Draft’s first round in Alabama running back Josh Jacobs.

Josh Jacobs came to Alabama as one of the most highly-touted prospects in his class and he was fighting for carries with four and five-star prospects throughout his entire college career. Now, he’s a member of the Oakland Raiders.

The Raiders made an instant improvement to their offense with the pick even though Jacobs never truly reached his potential with the Crimson Tide.

Who wouldn’t want a 5-10, 215-pound bruising running back with excellent vision and ability to hit holes aggressively? He could be an instant upgrade over what they currently have even though they got Isaiah Crowell this offseason. The Raiders have had a running back by-committee offense over the past few years and Jacobs could change that.

In his three years with the Crimson Tide, Jacobs finished with 1,491 yards and 16 touchdowns, recording 11 of those in his final season in 2018.

Jon Gruden has kept his options under wraps during the entire draft process and this one is another surprising pick, but it makes sense because the run game has been less than effective over the past few years — even with Marshawn Lynch coming home.

The Raiders got one of the offensive steals of the draft even though many believed the first round would go without a single running back selection. Oakland stockpiled first-round selections and this one is a solid choice, taking a chance on a guy who never got the extended carries he deserved, averaging 5.9 yards per touch.

This one won’t get the highest grade, but it was a solid value pick late in the first round.

Grade: B