NFL Draft 2019: Joshua Jacobs could replace Kareem Hunt for Chiefs

Strengths

Running Style: If you are a fan of smashmouth football, Josh Jacobs is the kind of back you want. Jacobs has no fear of contact and runs with a powerful base, churning his legs through contact until the whistles blow. One thing that stands out is Jacobs’ ability to see the hole and get north/south quickly. Jacobs has a bag of tricks that include a healthy jump cut, stiff arm, and spin move that help him shake defenders.

Acceleration: Jacobs doesn’t have elite straight line speed, reportedly running a 4.50 as a sophomore. However, Jacobs pairs his excellent vision and decision with the ability to accelerate past defenders. It is possible that Jacobs tests stronger in terms of straight line speed at the combine, but it’s his acceleration that appears to be the difference on the field.

Versatility: Jacobs has had to share the backfield with other talented Crimson Tide running backs like Bo Scarbrough, Damien Harris, and Najee Harris so traditional touches have been hard to come by. Alabama utilized Jacobs as a return man, pass catcher, and even a lead blocker. Jacobs excelled at every job given to him by the coaching staff.

Toughness: One of the first plays that I saw of Jacobs that stood out was not as a runner. Jacobs was the lead blocker. Trevor Sikkema of the Draft Network highlights Jacob’s blocking ability in his 5 play evaluation. Jacobs is a punishing runner with good contact balance and has a bullying mentality when asked to block which is something NFL coaches will love.