Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2024 but still ended up just outside the top five in a ranking of NFL running backs compiled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who talked with coaches, executives and scouts to rank players at every position entering the 2025 season.
The ranking is less a snub for Jacobs and more a commentary on the depth of impactful players at the running back position in the NFL.
Jacobs, who signed a $48 million deal with the Packers ahead of the 2024 season, finished at No. 6 in the ranking — trailing Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey. He moved up one spot from last year, when he ranked No. 7 overall. One voter had Jacobs as high as the third-best running back.
And one NFC executive called Jacobs a “true difference-maker.”
“Elite balance, strength, vision, feet and determination with the ball in his hands,” the executive told Fowler. “He catches it well. True difference-maker. And he plays every week. Availability. I tend to lean toward well-rounded backs that are elite runners and huge threats in the passing game and Jacobs fits that bill.”
Last season, Jacobs rushed 301 times for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns while also catching 36 passes for 342 yards and his first career receiving touchdown. He ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage, fourth in rushing touchdowns and fifth in total touchdowns.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jacobs ranked third in missed tackles forced (79), fourth in rushing grade (91.3) and third in receiving grade (89.2) among running backs in 2024.
Per Fowler, Jacobs is the only player to produce at least 1,000 total yards and five total touchdowns during each of the last six seasons, highlighting not only Jacobs’ ability as a runner and receiver but also his availability despite playing a punishing position.
Jacobs set a career high with 16 total touchdowns in 2024, his first season in Green Bay. He finished 11th in NFL Offensive Player of the Year voting and made his third Pro Bowl.
In 2022, Jacobs led the NFL in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage during a first-team All-Pro season. With better blocking up front in 2025, Jacobs could threaten for the rushing title once again.
Still only 27 years old, Jacobs has over 1,800 total touches in the NFL. The key for the Packers will be getting him healthy and fresh after a season in which he touched the football 358 total times, including the playoffs.
Former Packers running back Aaron Jones, whom Jacobs replaced in 2024, didn’t make the top 10 but was an honorable mention.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers RB Josh Jacobs lands just outside top 5 of insiders RB rankings
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
