When the Raiders declined Josh Jacobs’ fifth-year option back in April, most of us didn’t bat an eye. The cost would have been just over $8 million — which seemed like a lot for a back who had just 872 total yards in 2021 and whose yards-per-carry average was below 4.0 over his previous 30 games.
In fact, when the Raiders drafted Zamir White out of Georgia with the 122nd overall pick in the fourth round, everything seemed to make sense: ride Jacobs in the final year of his deal and then hand the reins over to White.
And then...Jacobs exploded out of the games this season. Entering Sunday’s brutal defeat at the hands of the Saints, Jacobs was second in the league in yards-per-game average (105.5) and had recorded three straight 143+ yard performances on the ground.
At 2-4 and with a favorable slate of games upcoming, there was optimism in Raiders’ circles about what this season could become.
And then...24-0 happened.
As it stands today, the Raiders are 2-5 and are facing a 48-hour period in which they have some big decisions to make. With Jacobs set to become a free agent at the end of the season and the November 1 trade deadline looming, General Manager Dave Ziegler has to be honest with himself about where this group stands with 10 games to go.
If this team doesn’t have a real chance of making a run this season, wouldn’t it be wise to shop a guy in Jacobs that they might lose for nothing? Sure, they might get a comp pick back in 2024, but that’s small potatoes for a franchise that seems to need a lot of help.
Just over a week ago, the Panthers traded Christian McCaffery to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounder in 2023 — plus a 5th rounder in 2024. Now, McCaffery is a much bigger name than Jacobs and is under contract next season (for $11.8 million), but that’s an interesting data point as far as I’m concerned.
If the Raiders could get a second-rounder for Jacobs in next year’s draft, should they jump at it? In all honesty, I don’t think that’s a ridiculous ask when you consider that other teams (namely the Rams) were in on McCaffery until the final moments. Truthfully, there’s a chance the Raiders could get more.
The decision, as far as I’m concerned, comes down to one thing more than anything else: is Jacobs now working his way into the long-term plans in Vegas? If Jacobs would sign a deal that pays him $8-10 million a year, would Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels be interested in that? My guess is no based on the value of running backs, the presence of White, and the size of contracts already handed out to skill position guys on offense (Derek Carr, Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller) — and if that’s the case, then my vote would be for exploring a trade.
While we all entered the season with playoff aspirations, this team is currently 2-5 and headed in the wrong direction. While Jacobs has been the team’s best player on offense, I’m not sure he’s the difference between a miraculous playoff run and another disappointing season — and if that’s the case, and there’s an offer out there for something like a 2nd and a 4th in 2023?
Sign me up.
