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Andy Richardson

Josh Jacobs, Part II

Back has big after-the-catch ability

A few days ago I ran a Josh Jacobs-related item about running backs in their final year of college. The gist was that most running backs drafted in the first three rounds have put up big numbers in their final seasons, while Jacobs played in a tandem with Damien Harris. Jacobs will be selected early, but some teams may hesitate. But they've got to be intrigued by the overall potential.

Jacobs has the power and decisiveness to pick up extra yards than what initially seems to be there, not just as a runner but in the passing game. He averaged 12.4 yards per catch last year. Among the 52 running backs who rushed for at least 500 yards and also caught 20-plus passes, only three had a higher average than Jacobs.

COLLEGE RUNNING BACKS, YARDS PER CATCH
Player School RunTD Rec Yds Avg TD
Elijah MitchellLouisiana985132034917.53
Darwin ThompsonUtah State1044142335115.32
Ben LeMayCharlotte1243112128213.40
Josh JacobsAlabama640112024712.43
Ronnie RiversFresno State743102631112.03
Austin WalterRice56444452511.92
CJ VerdellOregon1018102731511.72
Jason HuntleyNew Mexico State50574752911.33
Gerold BrightUtah State888102223210.53
Chuba HubbardOklahoma State74072222910.42
Trayveon WilliamsTexas A&M1760182727810.31
J.K. DobbinsOhio State1053102626310.12
A.J. OuelletteOhio1306122121210.12
Deon JacksonDuke8477262539.72
Alex BarnesKansas State135512201949.70
D'Andre SwiftGeorgia104910322979.33
Michael Warren IICincinnati132919252329.31
Damien HarrisAlabama8769222049.30
Trey RagasLouisiana11818252299.22
Toa TauaNevada8726222029.21
Braeden WestSMU5896393569.11
Pooka WilliamsKansas11257332898.82
Devine OzigboNebraska108212232038.80
Tra MinterSouth Alabama8016232018.70
Steven PeoplesVirginia Tech7866211828.71
Raheem BlackshearRutgers5863443678.32
Warren WandArkansas State7924262138.21
Deandre TorreyNorth Texas97715252058.22
Salvon AhmedWashington6087211708.10
Kylin HillMississippi State7344221768.04
Marquis YoungMassachusetts7789221737.90
Connor HeywardMichigan State5295322497.80
Eno BenjaminArizona State164216352637.52
James WilliamsWashington State56012836137.44
Rakeem BoydArkansas7342231657.20
Joshua KelleyUCLA124312271937.10
David MontgomeryIowa State121613221577.10
D.J. KnoxPurdue8838271806.71
Tre WatsonTexas7863221436.53
Alexander MattisonBoise State141517271736.40
Keaontay IngramTexas7083271706.32
Izzy MatthewsColorado State7174271696.31
Cam AkersFlorida State7066231456.32
LeVante BellamyWestern Michigan12286301856.21
Jermar JeffersonOregon State138012251475.90
Miles SandersPenn State12749241395.80
Patrick LairdCalifornia9615512885.64
Michael CarterNorth Carolina5972251355.41
Mike WeberOhio State9545211125.31
Bryce LoveStanford739620995.00
Derrick GoreLouisiana-Monroe662621803.80
Myles GaskinWashington12681221773.71

Jacobs is solidly built at 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, so teams shouldn't be afraid to run him between the tackles. But they'll probably look at his receiving potential and want to get him in space as a pass catcher. There's definite three-down potential, which is why he'll be the top rookie selected in most fantasy drafts. Depending on landing spot, probably.

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