What It Means:

Jacobs rushed five times for 30 yards and caught two passes for 14 yards in last week's preseason opener while other notable starters (Derek Carr, Davante Adams, and Darren Waller) didn't see the field at all. McDaniels has since downplayed Jacobs' usage multiple times and insisted that the running back remains part of the Raiders' plans for this season. However, the new regime declined Jacobs' fifth-year option for 2023 and then brought in four new backs via free agency and the draft, so the former first-rounder may have a tough time averaging 18.1 touches per game like he did last season. Kenyan Drake and fourth-round rookie Zamir White are expected to be the primary threats to Jacobs' workload in the Raiders' backfield.

numberFire's models still expect Jacobs to handle most of the Raiders' backfield work this season, as he is projected for 269.5 carries, 1,139.8 rushing yards, and 8.53 touchdowns, with 24.5 catches (33.4 targets) for 169.3 yards and 1.28 touchdowns. Jacobs is currently the RB19 in our preseason rankings. Drake (RB50) is projected for 103.0 rush attempts and 12.9 receptions.