With The First Pick
Fansided

Which 1st-round pick has the best chance to win Offensive Rookie of the Year?

By Nicholas McGee

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Kyler Murray Oklahoma reacts after he was picked #1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals 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: Kyler Murray Oklahoma reacts after he was picked #1 overall by the Arizona Cardinals 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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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 25: Josh Jacobs of Alabama poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell 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 poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell 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) /

Joshua Jacobs/RB/Raiders

The positional value of taking a running back in the first round of the draft remains a subject of great debate, but what cannot be argued is that Jacobs will have substantial opportunity to prove the Raiders were right to take him 24th overall.

With Marshawn Lynch’s career seemingly finally over and Isaiah Crowell out for the season, Jacobs should dominate the touches out of the backfield. Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington may take some receiving snaps away from him, but there is little to suggest he should lose significant carries to a teammate with Doug Martin Oakland’s best reserve option as a runner.

Jacobs may not be as dynamic as the last two winners of the award, Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley, but he enters the NFL with little tread on his tires after just 251 carries at Alabama and, with his vision, burst and power, has the skill set to take full advantage of the lead role in the Oakland backfield and contend to become the third successive running back to win Rookie of the Year.

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