Josh Jacobs 2020 Fantasy Outlook

Jacobs has put a goal of 60 receptions for this season out there. But doubling his 2019 total, and getting to 40, is more reasonable. The path to 40 catches has potholes though.

The Raiders had to add some talent at wide receiver, and they did so primarily in the draft (Henry Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, Lynn Bowden). Jason Witten was signed to backup Darren Waller at tight end, as another passing game weapon. Bowden has been listed by the team as a running back, and he’s in line for a multi-purpose role.

Going against their grain of getting Jacobs more involved as a pass catcher, the Raider re-signed Jalen Richard and signed former Bronco Devontae Booker. Then more recently, they inexplicably signed pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick.

Simply playing all 16 games puts Jacobs in line for 275-300 carries this year. The question is how he’ll wedge into a passing game role, but last year should be the floor there. His role as the Raiders’ goal line/red zone back (42 red zone carries in 2019) remains unchecked, and double-digit touchdowns is well within reach this year.

Fantasy Football Calculator has Jacobs coming off the board at RB8 (pick 1.09) in full PPR and standard scoring. In half-PPR, he’s RB9 and in pick 1.09/1.10 range. That ADP is right in line with the expectation he’ll finish as a top-10 fantasy back, the chalk of all chalk. For some, that makes Jacobs someone avoid as wide receivers start to enter the first-round conversation.

Where is the ceiling for Josh Jacobs?

With 300 touches a virtual certainty, the biggest question is where Jacobs’ ceiling is for 2020. Two more games as his per-game rate last year, with the lack of passing game use, and he would’ve been RB9 in standard scoring and RB14 in full PPR. The ceiling here is a top-5 fantasy running back.

Josh Jacobs 2020 Projection: 280 carries for 1,285 yards, 11 TD; 41 receptions for 349 yards, 1 TD