Josh Jacobs always had the potential to be a three-down back in the NFL, but the Raiders' coaching staff wanted to see growth in a crucial part of his game before he took on that responsibility.
At the University of Alabama, Jacobs operated in a shared backfield with now-New England Patriots running back Damien Harris, seeing limited reps over his three years in Tuscaloosa. Despite being in a committee, Jacobs proved to be the superior talent and an explosive runner, but there wasn't a large sample size as a receiver.
In three seasons, Jacobs totaled 48 receptions, 571 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, demonstrating that he was a capable pass catcher, but he needed to improve his route-running. After being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Jacobs established himself as one of the best running backs in the league as a rookie, but like his college career, he was used scarcely as a receiver.
However, Head Coach Jon Gruden and offensive coordinator Greg Olson had plans for Jacobs' offseason.
After watching Jacobs work diligently throughout his rookie year, Gruden and Olson tasked the phenom with studying the route tree, knowing his desire to become a complete back.
"Part of his offseason, he wanted to become a complete player," Olson told reporters Friday. "He didn't want to be taken off the field, and part of our challenge to him was to become a complete route-runner."
Jacobs isn't the type of person to back down from a challenge — it's apparent in the way he plays, he's always looking to muscle out an extra yard. Using his resources, Jacobs decided to spend time with fellow teammates Hunter Renfrow and Jalen Richard. Renfrow might not be the flashiest player on the field, but his footwork and route running are top-notch. Adamant about becoming a threat as a receiver, Jacobs put himself in a different frame of mind while training this offseason.
"I did a lot more of not putting myself in a running back aspect but like a receiver," Jacobs said earlier this week. "Whether it was going outside in the slot and actually learning how to get off a release, stemming the guy and learning leverage and all the different kind of things like that. And then watching Hunter [Renfrow] on his choice routes, just how creative he is and just try to put it in. Find what I like and make it my own."
The time spent watching Renfrow paid off.
Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, Jacobs hauled in four receptions on six targets, resulting in 46 receiving yards and a pair of first downs. After one game, Jacobs is already one-fifth of the way to last season's receptions total, and one-fourth of the way to his receiving yards total.
"We feel like he's developing into that full-time player," Olson added Friday. "We're happy with his development in that area. He can still get better. He's still out working right now with the quarterbacks, working on choice routes and other routes that we ask our running backs to run in third-down situations. So, it's been great."
If you pay attention to Jacobs' press conferences, he's never satisfied. Three touchdowns and nearly 100 yards rushing last week and he wasn't content with his performance because he expects more from himself.
Dedicating himself as an improved route-runner this offseason was a big step toward becoming the three-down back the Raiders know he can be.
The 22-year-old knows he has a ways to go, but he's proven he can carry the load.
Check into Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center for another day of practice as the Silver and Black prepare for their home opener against the Saints.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) and wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Damon Arnette (20) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Trent Sieg (47) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Rico Gafford (10) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow (50) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and defensive backs coach Jim O'Neil during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jaryd Jones-Smith (72) and defensive tackle Maliek Collins (97) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) and tackle Kolton Miller (74) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (23) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Erik Harris (25) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chris Smith (92) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) and guard Richie Incognito (64) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Derek Carrier (85) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kendal Vickers (91) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) during practice.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive backs huddle during practice.