2019 NFL Mock Draft: Oakland Raiders Select RB Josh Jacobs at No. 27

With the 27th pick in the 2019 DBN Community NFL Mock Draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

The selection and write-up were made by OhioCityBrownsBeliever:

Jon Gruden likes to run the football but the Raiders lack a true lead running back and have been forced to rely on the change of pace tandem of Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington before resurrecting the career of Marshawn Lynch. Lynch is now gone and the Raiders acquired Isaiah Crowell, but that won’t prevent them from using the last of their three 1st round picks to upgrade a position of need in a major way.

I’m not ordinarily a proponent of drafting a running back in the 1st round, but considering that it is pick 27, the Raiders third pick, and that Jacobs is clearly the best running back in the class, I believe the upgrade is significant and the value compelling. Jacobs didn’t get many opportunities at Alabama, but he made the most of them when he got the chance. He runs angry, has elite burst, and a wicked jump cut and athleticism. Jacobs’ lack of production is an asset as a running back because the talent is apparent while the wear on his body is limited. The Raiders will receive a complement to Derek Carr and their pick at number 24 in wide receiver N’Keal Harry while maintaining cost control on this high-end running back through the prime of his career.

Pokorny: “How would everyone rate Mike Mayock’s first year as GM if the Raiders came away with DT Quinnen Williams, WR N’Keal Harry, and RB Josh Jacobs?” You’d expect teams to be able to hit on at least two of their three picks, and that trio gives Oakland a physical presence on defense and two potential players on offense.

The Los Angeles Chargers are up next, led by Crawford_T.