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The latest talented running back out of Alabama, Josh Jacobs, 21, is viewed as a versatile tool out who can run, catch and return kicks. Jacobs played three years for the Crimson Tide. Shared carries and was limited to between five and seven touches per game until his junior year. When given a bigger workload, his yards per carry went down, but his scoring went up as he rushed for 11 TDs and caught three more last season. Jacobs didn’t run at the Combine because of a groin injury, and his 4.64 40-yard dash at his pro day isn’t eye popping. Though he might be on the stouter side, Jacobs still has great elusiveness that may manifest itself better on the playing field than in a straight-line sprint.
Size
5-10, 220 pounds
Combine notables
DNP
What the analysts say
“Prototypical combination of size and skill-set as an every-down runner with the ability to slash or impose his will on any given snap. Jacobs runs with good bend, vision and burst, and he proved to be an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield or from the slot. He will probe and burst, but he could become more elusive with better tempo as a runner. Jacobs is a decisive runner with outstanding one-cut talent to become a bellcow lead back.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
“Josh Jacobs takes the crown of RB1 because of his tremendous blend of physical traits and hungry play style. There is nothing lacking the physical aspect of Jacobs’ game: he is a tightly-strung runner who regularly makes the first tackler miss, or takes the first tackler for a 4 yard ride. He blends multiple moves together seamlessly, in a way you can’t teach — it’s born of instinct, and a wonderfully powerful lower half that stops and starts him on a dime. Jacobs’ play demeanor may be a bit reckless, but you can’t help loving it: he fights for every yard, and then a few more when he’s on the ground.” – Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network
What PFF says
-8th in missed tackles forced per attempt
-7th in elusive rating
-1 fumble last two seasons
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CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE
TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION
