Josh Jacobs remains one of the Green Bay Packers’ most important offensive players, but an ESPN fantasy football analyst believes there are legitimate reasons for caution entering the 2026 NFL season. While Jacobs has consistently demonstrated his ability to produce at a high level, several factors have raised concerns about whether he can continue delivering elite fantasy value this year.
The analysis points to a combination of workload, durability and recent production as reasons for concern. Jacobs enters his age-28 season after accumulating more than 2,100 career touches, a significant milestone for any running back given the physical demands of the position. Players with that level of usage often face increased questions about long-term durability and whether they can continue handling a heavy workload over a full season.
Performance trends from last season also contributed to the cautious outlook. Jacobs averaged fewer yards per carry than in previous years, and his production declined after suffering a left knee injury and knee contusion during the second half of the campaign. The drop in both touches and overall offensive involvement fueled concerns that his workload could be managed more carefully moving forward if Green Bay hopes to keep him healthy throughout the season.
Beyond his on-field performance, the evaluation also noted uncertainty surrounding ongoing off-field legal matters that could potentially affect expectations. Although Jacobs remains an essential part of the Packers’ offensive plans, those unresolved issues have introduced another variable for fantasy managers attempting to project his value. Combined with the natural wear that accompanies an experienced running back, the concerns have made him a more difficult player to evaluate than in previous years.
ESPN Analyst Explains Why Green Bay Packers’ Josh Jacobs is a Risk in Fantasy Football
Jacobs has been tagged as a risk in Fantasy Football ahead of the new NFL season. This can be seen in an analysis by Eric Moody for ESPN.
Josh Jacobs carries risk, as the warning signs are starting to stack up. He’s 28 years old with 2,109 career touches, and there is also some uncertainty hanging over him as he deals with several off-field legal issues. On the field, his efficiency slipped last season, with his yards per carry dropping to 4.0. Jacobs also faded following a left knee injury and knee contusion last season, going from 21.1 touches and 19.6 fantasy points per game in his first nine games to 14.6 touches and 11.3 FPPG over his final five.
Despite those warning signs, Jacobs still possesses the talent to remain a productive contributor for Green Bay. His physical running style, versatility and experience make him a central figure in the Packers’ offense, particularly in critical situations. If he stays healthy and regains the efficiency that defined earlier stages of his career, he has the ability to outperform the more cautious projections surrounding him.
Fantasy evaluations often balance proven production against potential risk, and Jacobs represents one of the league’s more intriguing cases entering 2026. While concerns exist, the Packers will continue relying on their veteran running back, leaving him with an opportunity to silence doubters and reaffirm his value both on the field and in fantasy football.
