Josh Jacobs — 2026 Fantasy Outlook

More on Jacobs

The Raiders gave Jacobs a heavy workload in 2022 (393 touches at 23.1 per game) at a time when most fantasy managers were looking elsewhere. He rewarded those who took a chance, producing 2,053 combined yards, 12 touchdowns, and 50 catches to finish third among running backs in PPR scoring at 329.30 points. He topped 100 rushing yards in six games, all coming in two separate three-game stretches (28/144/2, 21/154/1, 20/143/3, 24/109, 33/229/2, and 26/144/1), and posted a floor of five catches in five contests. Those receptions alone accounted for 54% of his season total.

His follow-up season was a disappointment. Jacobs averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in 2023 and missed the final four weeks with a quad injury, finishing with 1,101 combined yards, six touchdowns, and 37 catches on 20.8 touches per game. He surpassed 100 combined yards in only three outings and looked like a strong receiving option through five games with 23 catches, but Las Vegas pulled back his pass-catching role significantly over the final eight weeks (14 receptions for 103 yards on 24 targets). If Jacobs stayed healthy for a full season, he was tracking toward a top-15 running back finish, but ended up 28th in PPR scoring with 182.30 points.

His first year in Green Bay brought a significant resurgence. The Packers handed him 337 touches (his third time over 300), and Jacobs surpassed combined yardage expectations by more than 20%, finishing with 1,672 yards and a career-best 16 touchdowns (15 rushing, one receiving). His first seven games were productive but not explosive, as he averaged 13.89 fantasy points per game with just two scores.

Once Green Bay began featuring him heavily in the red zone (59 touches inside the 20, 40 inside the 10, and 22 goal-line opportunities), touchdowns followed in bunches. Over his final 11 games, Jacobs scored 15 times, averaged 20.2 touches and 20.59 fantasy points per contest, and accumulated 199 carries for 870 yards alongside 23 catches for 265 yards. He topped 100 rushing yards in only three games all season (32/151, 25/127/2, and 26/106/3), but his touchdown volume kept his floor elite. Jacob posted at least 20.00 fantasy points in nine of his final 12 outings and dipped below 11.50 just once all year. Five running backs finished ahead of him in overall PPR scoring (296.30).

For anyone looking for insight into Jacob’s court case, I would follow Drew Davenport on X. Here’s a post he made in late May:

The Packers had Jacobs on the field for 53.4% of their snaps, compared to 62.5% in 2024. He missed two games with a calf injury and a lingering knee issue, while having light snaps in three other matchups (22%, 39%, and 28%).

Over his first nine games, Jacobs gained only 3.8 yards per carry, with success in combined yards (845), touchdowns (11), and catches (28). He averaged 19.33 PPR fantasy points. Despite his winning production, he failed to rush for over 100 yards in any matchup, but reached that threshold in combined yards four times (31.70, 32.00, 20.00, and 20.70 PPR fantasy points). The back nine games led to only two playable outcomes (17.20 and 23.20). His season ended with Jacobs ranking 13th in fantasy points (239.10).