The Oakland Raiders selected Josh Jacobs with the 24th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft with an eye on both the future and the present.
While the Raiders hoped that he would serve as the team’s top running back for years to come, they also expected some form of immediate contribution. The extent to that immediacy, however, was yet to be determined.
The team had signed veteran Isaiah Crowell in the offseason and the expectation was that he and Jacobs would split the majority of first and second-down reps. Unfortunately, Crowell tore his Achilles soon after the draft and was placed on the injured reserve thus ending his season.