Josh Jacobs Looking To Be More Involved As A Receiver
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has hauled in 197 receptions since entering the NFL in 2019, and heading into his first year with Matt LaFleur, he wants to be heavily targeted in the passing game. "I was talking to (LaFleur) about that actually and I was telling him I feel like I want to catch it a little bit more," Jacobs said. "I feel like I didn't get to show that as much as I would have liked. So, that's definitely something in the conversations we had." The former first-round pick has two 50-plus catch seasons on his resume, and he was a solid receiver out of the backfield in college, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he gets his wish. Former Packers running back Aaron Jones earned 311 targets in five seasons with LaFleur, the fifth-most among all ball carriers during that span. Jacobs is being drafted as a low-end RB1 or high-end RB2, which could prove to be a discount in PPR formats.
Josh Jacobs Fuels Excitement About Green Bay Offense
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs recently appeared on the NFL Network's NFL Insiders program and expressed his great excitement about the potential of the Green Bay offense. The 26-year-old signed a four-year contract with Green Bay this offseason worth $48 million. Jacobs missed a few games last season but ended with 805 rushing yards and 296 through the air with six total touchdowns. The former Alabama product told the NFL Network, "I honestly think the sky is the limit in this offense." He further stated "To be able to see the game plan and things they want me that they want me to do this year, the things that they're allowing me to do, I just think it's going to be a special year." This could be a telling sign that Green Bay plans to use Jacobs in a potential three-down role, which would provide him with several scoring opportunities on a weekly basis. Jacobs currently sits with an ADP of 33 in standard leagues and has the potential to finish near the top of his position this season.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (hamstring) has been doing everything during practice this week after missing the first week of organized team activities due to a minor hamstring injury before being limited in what he could do the second week of OTAs. The 26-year-old former Raiders RB joined the Packers this offseason on a four-year, $48 million deal to be their new lead back with Aaron Jones now in Minnesota. While Jacobs will be the clear leader of the Packers' backfield, he'll be spelled by AJ Dillon and rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd. The former 24th overall pick by the Raiders in 2019 out of Alabama led the league in rushing in 2022 and has gone over 1,000 yards rushing in three of his five NFL campaigns. Jacobs is moving to a Packers offense on the rise, meaning he should be a good bet for another 1,000-yard season if he can stay healthy in 2024.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (hamstring) continues to make progress and could return to the field for contact and action next week. "Hopefully next week we'll get him out there when we go full speed," head coach Matt LaFleur explained to the media. The former Raiders star inked a deal with Green Bay over the offseason, and his extreme versatility makes him an appealing pick. As long as he gets healthy once again, he could push to be a low-end RB1 in fantasy leagues. Regardless of his exact finish, he should have several opportunities to feast within a competent Jordan Love-run team.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury, but head coach Matt LaFleur said he won't be out for long. Jacobs was heavily limited during organized team activities on Tuesday. It's not exactly what Packers fans want to hear from their new RB during offseason workouts, but it's still early in the offseason, and Jacobs should be fine for the start of training camp at the end of July as long as he doesn't aggravate the injury. The 26-year-old's absence will give intriguing rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd some more repetitions this week, as well as AJ Dillon, who re-signed this offseason. Jacobs is fully expected to be the Packers' primary RB1 in 2024, but he's most likely going to face much more competition for touches in his new digs than he did in Sin City with the Raiders.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs believes he has a chip on his shoulder, according to running backs coach Ben Sirmans. "I think he's coming in with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder because we all have something to prove," Sirmans told the media on Wednesday. "I think he wants to prove we made the right decision in investing in him." Jacobs doesn't necessarily have a whole lot more to prove after tallying 3,154 scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns over his final two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, his signing with Green Bay did surprise many NFL fans, so perhaps he feels a little extra motivation to silence the critics and make sure he lives up to every penny of his four-year, $48 million deal. The Packers parted ways with fellow veteran Aaron Jones this offseason and (barring any unforeseen additions) will enter 2024 with a backfield headlined by Jacobs, AJ Dillon, and rookie MarShawn Lloyd. Given his track record as an every-down back in Vegas, Jacobs easily has the most fantasy appeal of the bunch, ranking as a low-end RB1 heading into drafts.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur implied that we'll see more of new running back Josh Jacobs in the passing game than the 40 catches per year he averaged in five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. "Just studying him, I think there's more out there for him in regards to the passing game, using him out of the backfield. He's put some really good choice routes on tape. That's something we always try to get to," LaFleur said. Despite Jacobs ranking second in carries since entering the NFL behind only Derrick Henry, don't expect that to change how the Packers split carries in their backfield with AJ Dillon re-signing. However, there's a possibility Dillon doesn't make the team, so Jacobs' spot as the feature back is about the only sure think in Green Bay's backfield. Even if Jacobs losing carries to Dillon or another back in Green Bay, his increase in receptions should keep him afloat as an RB1 in fantasy in his new home.
Josh Jacobs Heading To Green Bay On Four-Year Deal
Free-agent running back Josh Jacobs is expected to sign with the Green Bay Packers for four years and $48 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler played on the franchise tag for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, posting career lows in rushing yards (805) and rushing touchdowns (six). However, he has three seasons of at least 1,000 rushing yards and led the league in 2022 with 1,653 rushing yards. The former first-round pick will now join quarterback Jordan Love's ascending offense, meaning AJ Dillon is likely headed elsewhere. The Packers still have Aaron Jones on the roster, so it'll be interesting to see how the backfield shapes out. UPDATE: The Packers are releasing Aaron Jones, meaning Jacobs is likely to have a workhorse role in Green Bay's offense.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been trying to re-sign running back Josh Jacobs, according to sources. However, it appears Jacobs is headed for the open market at noon on Monday. The Raiders elected not to use the franchise tag on Jacobs for the second straight season, which essentially assured that the 26-year-old would reach the open market this offseason. Jacobs led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022 with the Raiders, but he played in just 13 games in 2024 and finished with a disappointing 805 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 233 carries this past season, adding 37 catches for 296 yards through the air. Despite his down season, Jacobs will have plenty of suitors on the free-agent market, and it remains to be seen if the Raiders will actually be able to retain him. Wherever Jacobs lands, he's still likely to be in the RB1 picture in fantasy.
As expected, the Las Vegas Raiders didn't use the franchise tag on running back Josh Jacobs by the deadline on Tuesday. It's not surprising at all that the Raiders elected not to use the franchise tag on Jacobs after he regressed in 2023, as the tag would have cost them $14.1 million for the 2024 season. Jacobs will hit the open market next week when free agency kicks off, joining a strong group of RBs that will include Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard and D'Andre Swift. We'll have a better idea of Jacobs' 2024 fantasy value when we know where he'll be playing, but he'll most likely be a risk/reward RB1. He played in 13 games in 2023 and finished with a career-low 805 rushing yards and six rushing TDs a year after leading the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards in 2022.
