NEWSLETTER
The free agent running back carousel continues to spin this week with its next stop in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Josh Jacobs is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Packers worth $48 million to replace Aaron Jones who has since found a new home in NFC North rival Minnesota.
Let’s take a look at the fantasy outlook and fallout from the Josh Jacobs signing for both the Packers and Raiders for the 2024 season., but first a look at his career thus far.
More: Check out our Way-Too-Early Mock 2024 Fantasy Mock Draft
Josh Jacobs as a Raider
In his five seasons as a pro, Jacobs has notched 5,545 rushing yards which is the second-most behind only Derrick Henry since 2019, with 46 rushing touchdowns, also the second-highest in that time frame. We can’t forget his pass-catching prowess, as the former Raider’s career 1,448 receiving yards ranks ninth among RBs from 2019-2023.
Jacobs’ best season was 2022 where he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,053, translating to an overall RB3 finish in half-PPR scoring. The 26-year-old took a step back last season after holding out during the preseason and being made to play on the franchise tag.
Green Bay’s Backfield with Josh Jacobs
With Jones no longer in town, that leaves Jacobs to carry a considerable workload, which shouldn’t present a problem for a back who shouldered a large volume of touches with the Raiders.
Josh Jacobs played in at least 13 games in each of his five seasons and recorded the second-most rushing attempts (1,305) with the ninth-most targets and receptions in those five years among running backs. He fits into the Packers’ scheme well and has a similar skill set to Jones with a bit bulk and fewer years on Planet Earth.
One key difference between Josh Jacobs and the former running back room is red zone usage and efficiency. In the last two years, Jacobs found the end zone 15 times from inside the 20-yard line compared to eight from Dillon and just four by Jones. Last season the Packers scored only 10 rushing touchdowns total, with just six coming from their running backs, making Jacobs a great fit to upgrade their scoring potential from anywhere on the field but particularly in the red zone.
MORE: Check out 4for4 for all your fantasy football needs & the latest expert betting picks.
Josh Jacobs Fantasy Outlook and Fallout
With a pretty wide-open road to a major role both on the ground and as part of the passing game, Josh Jacobs is in the fantasy RB1 conversation ahead of the 2024 season. He’s the RB9 in 4for4’s Never-Too-Early rankings and is currently being drafted as the RB13 in Underdog drafts at spot 4.12. We can expect a small rise in ADP up to RB1 land after this signing with the Packers.
On the Raiders side of things, for now, it appears Zamir White will be given the keys to the backfield with Ameer Abdullah also in the mix, who re-signed with Vegas for the third-straight season back on March 8th. With Jacobs sidelined from Weeks 15–18 last season, White was the RB8 overall in half-PPR scoring. He’s currently the RB28 in 4for4’s rankings but it’s still a tad too early to bank on him being the lead back in Vegas.
Aaron Jones is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, which hurts the fantasy value of Ty Chandler. The Vikings could also add more rushing pieces during the 2024 NFL Draft, but Jones gives them a veteran option who still has some fuel in the tank. Consider him an RB2 heading into 2024.
*Update: A.J. Dillon re-signed with the Packers but shouldn’t hamper the value of Josh Jacobs as a fantasy RB1.
Photo by: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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