Josh Jacobs is coming off a disappointing 2023 fantasy campaign that saw him miss four games and finish 28th in total points among running backs. That’s quite a far cry from the third-place finish he recorded the previous season, when he won the NFL rushing title. He’s still in the prime of his career at 26 years old, however, so Jacobs won’t be short of potential suitors if he enters free agency during the offseason.
There have been reports that Jacobs could remain in Las Vegas as a member of the Raiders, which would certainly be an attractive scenario and keep him among the top running backs in fantasy football next season. But if the two sides can’t agree to terms on a new deal, there are several landing spots that make a lot of sense.
Here are five of the teams (I’ve identified as many as 10) where Jacobs would be best served, in terms of both real and fantasy football, as he enters his sixth NFL season.
Candice Ward/USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens need to upgrade at running back with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards heading to free agency, and Jacobs would be one heck of an upgrade. Imagine him in the same backfield with Lamar Jackson? That would make him quite an attractive No. 1 fantasy running back in drafts. If this scenario came to fruition, Jacobs would remain in the conversation as a top-30 overall selection next season.
Chicago Bears
Sorry, all of you Roschon Johnson dynasty managers! The Bears are about to make a huge splash with the expected addition of USC’s Caleb Williams with the top pick in the NFL draft, and they’re flush with draft capital due to last year’s trade with the Carolina Panthers for the top pick in 2023. With the fourth-most cash under the salary cap per Spotrac and lacking a lead runner, Jacobs would be a great fit.
Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said he’ll be “all in” this offseason, and the fact that the team won’t franchise Tony Pollard makes running back a potential need. Dallas fielded one of the top offenses in the league a season ago, and that was with Pollard playing at a less-than-stellar level. The Cowboys also have a long history of fantasy success in their backfields over the years, and Jacobs would just add to it. He’d be a top-30 pick as a member of Dallas’ offensive attack in this enticing scenario.
Houston Texans
The Texans went from laughing stock to winning a postseason game in one year, and their offense was a big part of it. C.J. Stroud has all the looks of a superstar at quarterback, and young wideouts like Nico Collins and Tank Dell were strong in the stat sheets. Their backfield could use an upgrade, though, as Dameon Pierce was a dud and Devin Singletary is slated to become a free agent. The addition of Jacobs, who could be used in both the running and passing attacks for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, would be exciting in the world of fantasy football.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are moving on from Alexander Mattison, leaving a gaping hole in their backfield. If the team decides to spend on the position, Jacobs would be a nice fit. Coach Kevin O’Connell loves to throw the football, so he would be prominent in both aspects of the offense. Of course, a big part of what this offense looks like will be based on what happens at quarterback (Kirk Cousins is a free agent), but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Jacobs wouldn’t be productive in Minnesota.
