KC Chiefs: Josh Jacobs could be running back option in 2019 NFL Draft

Running back may not be seen as a pressing need for the KC Chiefs, but a player like Alabama running back Josh Jacobs may be too good to pass up in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs will probably go after a defensive player in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Why not? The organization has one of the worst defenses in the league and no one would blame them for trying to address it.

After having zero draft picks take a snap on offense in 2018, the organization cannot simply throw all their draft assets into defense again. Youth will be served on offense as well. Perhaps Josh Jacobs of Alabama could be a player the Chiefs look into drafting.

The running back position has been a bit of a struggle since the necessary departure of Kareem Hunt. Spencer Ware is a nice power option, but has struggled with injuries the past two years and is a free agent after this season.

More from Chiefs Draft Analysis

• Will Chiefs Draft Western Kentucky Hilltopper DeAngelo Malone?
• The Kansas City Chiefs Address Defense with This Mock Draft
• Will Chiefs Take Boston College Cornerback?
• The Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
• Why The Chiefs Should Draft Wide Receiver Christian Watson

Damien Williams received a modest extension and fits well as a third down/backup type back as a player. Rookie Darryl Williams was a find as an undrafted rookie with a future perhaps at fullback and special teams more than at tailback.

The past few games have shown the need for the Chiefs to find a back that carry the load, a back capable of ending a game in the fourth quarter, a back that can block, catch, and run. In short, the Chiefs need to be looking for a running back like Joshua Jacobs.

Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) in his most recent mock draft had Jacobs to the Chiefs late in the first round. He described the junior back as ‘too to good to be true’ fit with the Chiefs offense.

Jacobs is built like Kareem Hunt and plays angry as no back in recent memory. He delivers the contact as opposed to absorbing the contact. The Crimson Tide back has experience running out of the backfield and catching passes lined up in the slot as well as an ability to pass block, and he will do all three with attitude.

The Chiefs offense, more than a specific trait or attribute, requires a running back to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, to support pass blocking. In three seasons, Jacobs has 1,444 yards rushing on just 240 carries (average of six yards per carry) and has 47 receptions for 555 yards (11.8 average).

Sharing time with Damien Harris among others in the Alabama backfield, Jacobs scored 21 touchdowns and averaged 7.0 yards per touch thus far during his Alabama career.

The Kansas City Chiefs need a running back. Josh Jacobs is the type of back that will not only fill the need at the position, but bring the attitude that rubs off on the rest of the team.

The fact he has shared carries during his career at Alabama has saved the ‘tread on the tires’ and is an immediate impact type back the Chiefs would love to add to their roster today. We will see if he is the type of back they want to add in April.