NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Ranking the top 32 NFL running backs for the 2022 season

By Sayre Bedinger

Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC running back Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (28) runs with the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 33
Next
NFL 2022
NFL 2022: Cornerback Mike Hilton #21 of the Cincinnati Bengals chases after running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

16. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

2021 stats:

  • 1,220 yards from scrimmage
  • 9 total touchdowns
  • 54 receptions

I think in making this list, Josh Jacobs was one of the toughest guys to place.

There are games when he looks like a top-five back in the league, and then there are stretches of games where he looks like he could be benched.

At any rate, Jacobs has topped 1,200 yards from scrimmage in each of his first three NFL seasons and has racked up 28 total touchdowns in that timeframe.

He’s proven himself to be a capable three-down back with a career-best 54 receptions this past season.

Still, you can’t really shake this feeling that both the previous and current regimes in Las Vegas were actively trying to replace him.

The previous regime signed Kenyan Drake to a pretty good-sized contract in free agency, and the new regime brought in Brandon Bolden as well as two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft — including Georgia’s Zamir White — to add depth and competition.

The Raiders did decline Jacobs’ fifth-year option, so who knows how high this new staff is on him? He’s got one year to prove himself to them.

Home/NFL