It was a small sample size, but Josh Jacobs' awareness and ability to make decisive cuts against the Arizona Cardinals defense Thursday was impressive.
Head Coach Jon Gruden decided to trot several of his starters on the field in Week 2 of the preseason — Jacobs being one of them — and it was the University of Alabama product's first real NFL action. To start the game, Gruden wanted to see what the No. 24 overall pick was capable of, opting to go with three consecutive handoffs all to Jacobs. The rookie only played the first series — which lasted roughly a little more than three minutes — but he toted the rock four times for 21 yards, demonstrated his ability to read the running lanes, and bulldoze his way for consistent gains.
It's rare you see a rookie running back so well-balanced in all skill sets, but Jacobs is the complete back, and his quarterback Derek Carr compared him to some of the best backs he's played with thus far.
"Really good, right? His vision," Carr said Saturday when asked about Jacobs' ability to make reads. "You know I've been able to hand the ball off to some really good running backs. I've played with some fun ones, MJD [Maurice Jones-Drew], D-Mac [Darren McFadden], Latavius [Murray], Marshawn [Lynch], Doug [Martin], and that's just the guys that've carried most of the footballs. I've played with a lot of good backs. Watching his vision was really impressive because I have the best seat in the house. I'm sitting back there playing Madden tell him to cut back and trying to run for him. He's right up there with those guys. For him to do that, especially in his first game. I think the thing that rubbed off on me the most about Josh was his want to.
Carr continued, "It wasn't like, 'Oh man this is my first game.' None of that. He was out there just trying to bully people. He was out there trying to run hard. He didn't care that he's a rookie. He's trying to prove that he's the best back in the NFL. That's his mindset. Really impressed. Obviously the runs and all of that, the offensive line did a great job, but more so impressed with his demeanor and mentality."
"He's a good back, there's no doubt," Coach Gruden added. "He can run the ball. He has good vision. He can break arm tackles. He has some acceleration and burst, no doubt. I think he's going to be a really good player."
Jacobs has been a bright spot for the Raiders throughout training camp, doing his part to prove to Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock he's worthy of becoming a three-down back. The Silver and Black have a running backs room loaded with talent, and finding playing time for each of them will be difficult, but it's clear Jacobs will be given every opportunity to earn a significant role. Whether it's been in pass protection or as a receiver out of the backfield, Jacobs has impressed his peers.
Pass protection is an area that some backs struggle at, especially their first couple years in the league, but that doesn't seem to be an area of weakness for Jacobs.
"Yeah, he's very, very advanced," Carr said. "I think everyone knows you have to be really good in the passing game to play in Coach Gruden's offense as a running back. A lot of our quick game, the old West Coast, Joe Montana, Rodger Craig kind of plays, all that kind of stuff. He has to be able to do that and he can. I think that coming in we knew how good of a runner he was. We knew he's tough, we knew he could block. You just never know with rookie running backs that are that big. How flexible are they? Can they run the routes? Can they catch? He's been really impressive. I'll let his game speak for it, but for me I've been impressed by him."
While we didn't get to see his receiving abilities on display Thursday, make no mistake, Jacobs will be utilized out wide at throughout the year. He told reporters during Mandatory Minicamp that Coach Gruden has asked him to memorize the entire route tree and learn the plays of each receiver position.
During wide receiver Tyrell Williams' press conference Saturday, he referenced one of Jacobs' highlight-reel plays in the early stages of training camp that stood out to him.
"I think it was a couple weeks ago, he had a little one-hand grab a few weeks ago and it was kind of surprising," Williams said. "You don't really see running backs especially make plays like that, catches like that, so I feel like he's super versatile. He can run you over, run around you. His vision is crazy. I saw in that last game the holes that he sees on those three plays is awesome, and definitely being able to catch out of the backfield is going to be huge for him, so it's nice to see."
Jacobs is a complete back and watching him get his first NFL reps Thursday was exciting. It's not clear how much — or if at all — he'll play against the Green Bay Packers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, but if we don't see him, I think he's shown enough in one drive to prove he's ready for the league.
Check out the top photos from the Raiders' 33-26 preseason victory over the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) and Owner Mark Davis before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) warming up before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) signs autographs for fans before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Raiders warming up before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr (4) before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders fans hold up signs before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Raiders during the national anthem before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) during the coin toss before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Head Coach Jon Gruden before the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) makes a catch during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Ryan Grant (19) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Ryan Grant (19) celebrates with tight end Darren Waller (83) after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Ryan Grant (19) leaps over defender to score a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) through the Cardinals offensive line during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) runs upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tackle Andre James (68) blocks for quarterback Mike Glennon (7) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) runs upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) and wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back DeAndré Washington (33) runs upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) and guard/tackle Denver Kirkland (79) block for quarterback Mike Glennon (7) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders punter A.J. Cole (6) kicks upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) fights through the Cardinals offensive line during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) fights through the Cardinals offensive line during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley (21) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) celebrates with guard Jonathan Cooper (70) and running back Doug Martin (22) after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) celebrates with quarterback Mike Glennon (7) after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Doug Martin (22) runs upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) celebrates with safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) is congratulated by tackle Andre James (68) after a successful field goal attempt during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead (59) looks to make a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) makes a catch during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tackle David Sharpe (72) blocks during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) runs upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Keon Hatcher (14) makes a catch during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Raiders huddle up during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) hands off to running back Jalen Richard (30) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders quarterback Mike Glennon (7) hands off to running back Doug Martin (22) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) looks to make a catch in the end zone during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) makes a catch for a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) celebrates with quarterback Derek Carr (4) after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs upfield during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) looks to make a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner (29) is congratulated by his teammates after forcing a safety during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Ryan Grant (19) hurdles over a defender for a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders linebacker/defensive end James Cowser (49) looks to make a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) and fullback Alec Ingold (45) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders safety Curtis Riley (35) looks to block a throw during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden huddles up with tight end Paul Butler (81), quarterback Nathan Peterman (3), and quarterback Mike Glennon (7) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Mack Brown (34) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Mack Brown (34) celebrates with tight end Luke Willson (82) and guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) after scoring a touchdown during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Mack Brown (34) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (38) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (38), safety Jordan Richards (39), and linebacker Te'von Coney (56) make a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El (9) celebrates after making a catch for the first down during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders linebacker Te'von Coney (56) makes a tackle during the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden with Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Cliff Kingsbury after the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) after the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders defensive line coach Brentson Buckner with Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) after the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) after the Raiders preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
