The Raiders will not be using the franchise tag on former All-Pro RB Josh Jacobs. That news was reported earlier this week as teams can officially start placing the tag on players. After tagging Jacobs during the 2023 offseason, the Raiders are expected to let the veteran hit the free-agent market.
While the expectation is that the Raiders want to try to bring Jacobs back, that seems pretty unlikely now that he won’t be tagged. The good news is that the Raiders have a potential replacement on the roster in Zamir White. But do they need to add another starting-caliber runner to their backfield?
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they wrote that one goal of the offseason for Las Vegas should be to improve their talent in the backfield without spending cap space. Here is a snippet of what they had to say about their run game heading into 2024:
Las Vegas should also look to the running back class in the event of Josh Jacobs’ departure. Incumbent Zamir White is a nice complementary player, but a more physical option such as Jonathan Brooks or Marshawn Lloyd would be an ideal running mate.
This isn’t a particularly strong running back class in the first two rounds and there is a good chance that one isn’t picked inside the top 50 selections. However, it’s a really deep class in Rounds 3-6 and that’s where the Raiders could look to add a player to pair with White.
The Raiders could use a running back with speed and athleticism, especially in the passing game. And if they decide to grab a running back sometime on Day 3, they are likely to get a pretty good bargain. Look for the Raiders to explore the running back market should Jacobs leave in free agency.