With The First Pick
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How Isaiah Crowell’s injury impacts Raiders RB Josh Jacobs

By Bryan Perez

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Josh Jacobs of Alabama reacts after being chosen #24 overall by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Josh Jacobs of Alabama reacts after being chosen #24 overall by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Veteran running back Isaiah Crowell tore his Achilles during a team workout Tuesday, leaving most if not all of the touches in the running game to rookie first-round pick, Josh Jacobs.

The Oakland Raiders selected former Alabama RB Josh Jacobs in the first round of last Thursday’s 2019 NFL draft, and while running backs selected that high usually end up starting in their rookie season, there’s little doubt now that Jacobs will shoulder a heavy workload in 2019.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Raiders veteran running back Isaiah Crowell suffered a torn Achilles during team workouts Tuesday.

“Raiders’ RB Isaiah Crowell tore his Achilles during a workout with the team (Tuesday) and is out for the season, per source,” Schefter tweeted Wednesday. “Crowell will undergo season-ending surgery next week. Brutal blow for a player who signed a one-year deal with Oakland.”

Crowell spent the first three seasons of his career with the Browns before signing with the Jets in 2018. He ran for 685 yards an six touchdowns (4.8 yards per carry) and at just 26 years old, still has some upside as a starting running back in the NFL if and when he makes a complete recovery.

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As for Jacobs, he was touted as a three-down back whose best football is ahead of him after he shared time at Alabama with Damien Harris (who was drafted by the Patriots in the third round). He won’t be sharing carries in 2019, however, with only Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington as options at running back behind him.

Jacobs was often compared to Saints superstar Alvin Kamara in the run-up to the draft, but that seems a bit too rich. Jacobs has more power and less wiggle than Kamara and projects more like Kamara’s former teammate in New Orleans, Mark Ingram.

Fantasy football players? Move Jacobs to the top of your rookie drafts if he wasn’t there already. He’s going to lead all rookies in touches in 2019.

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