NFL Power Rankings 2020: Ranking every starting running back

9. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

After several years of ultra-talented running back classes, Jacobs was the only player at his position to go in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Raiders selected Jacobs with the 24th overall pick, making him the latest Alabama running back to hear his name called in the top 32 selections.

Jacobs never dominated in college. In his final year at Alabama, he finished third on the Crimson Tide in rushing yards, trailing Damien Harris and Najee Harris. However, scouts fell in love with the tape Jacobs put up and his raw physical characteristics. So, Jacobs, who only carried the ball 120 times during his final collegiate season, came off the board before Miles Sanders, who recorded 220 carries during the same year.

As a rookie, Jacobs didn’t disappoint. He averaged 4.8 yards per attempt on his way to 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games. The Alabama product ran for over 100 yards five times and over 80 yards in eight games. His 88.5 rushing yards per game ranked third in the NFL, only trailing Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry.

Controversially, Jacobs did not win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Instead, that honor went to Arizona’s Kyler Murray, despite the quarterback turning in an overall mediocre performance that landed him at 19th in our quarterback power rankings. Jacobs put together a better season and deserved the award.