Josh Jacobs was an All-Pro player during the 2022 season, leading the NFL in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to repeat that production again in 2023 as the running game really struggled out of the gate.
Jacobs dealt with lower body injuries all season, which eventually caused him to miss the final four games. That led to Zamir White taking over the RB1 job, and the run game took off. So, is there a chance that the rushing attack could be even better in 2024 with White installed as a full-time starter?
In a recent article by Vic Tafur of The Athletic, he tried to answer that question. Here is why he believes that could be the case this year:
During his four-game stretch as the starter at the end of last season, White was one of the most productive rushers in the league.
He’ll be 25 this season, and it seems like he’ll be ready to carry a larger workload. Mattison is a solid No. 2 option and should be able to help keep White from getting worn down.
The biggest concern for the Raiders isn’t the production on the ground; it’s who will step up on passing downs. Jacobs was an excellent pass blocker and receiver, which means he never had to come off the field. That hasn’t been the case for White to date, which means the Raiders might have to use Ameer Abdullah or Dylan Laube in that role.
The Raiders are hopeful that their running back situation will be better in 2024 and they have reasons to be optimistic. But it all lies on the shoulders of Zamir White. Time will tell if the Raiders upgraded at the running back position this year.