With The First Pick
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2019 NFL season: Best rookie prop bets for new campaign

By Nicholas McGee

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers avoids a tackle attempt by linebacker Justin Hollins #52 of the Denver Broncos before a 45 yard gain against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Wide receiver Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers avoids a tackle attempt by linebacker Justin Hollins #52 of the Denver Broncos before a 45 yard gain against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter during a preseason National Football League game at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 15: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 15: Running back Josh Jacobs #28 of the Oakland Raiders rushes the football during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Rushing yards – Josh Jacobs

There are legitimate concerns about how capable the Raiders’ offensive line is. However, running backs have overcome shaky O-Line play before and Jacobs has the vision and the burst to do the same.

No other rookie runner heads into the season as the unquestioned lead back. David Montgomery will cede some carries to Mike Davis and Tarik Cohen. Devin Singletary has LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore for company in a crowded Buffalo backfield.

After being used in a timeshare at Alabama, Jacobs comes into the league with fresh legs and has both the talent and the opportunity to be the rookie rushing king.

Rushing TDs – David Montgomery

Where the Raiders’ offensive line will be an issue is in the red zone, where space is confined and penetration from the defensive line is more likely to blow up runs.

The Bears are a superior team in the trenches and ranked 14th in Football Outsiders‘ Drive Success Rate last year. Oakland was a lowly 25th in the same metric.

Montgomery, selected two rounds later than Jacobs, is in a better situation to find the endzone regularly. He had 13 rushing touchdowns to Jacobs’ 11 last season playing for a much lesser program at Iowa State.

Despite being in a backfield with plenty of competition, if Mitchell Trubisky makes further strides under Matt Nagy, Montgomery should have plenty of chances to outscore Jacobs again.

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