Josh Jacobs took a serious hit in the NFL’s annual Top 100 Players list, and not the kind he’s used to absorbing on the field. The Green Bay Packers running back dropped from No. 33 last year all the way down to No. 74 for the 2026 season. That’s a 41-spot freefall, and it doesn’t look great on paper.
But here’s the thing about player-voted rankings: they’re weird. They’re based on reputation, memory, and sometimes just who did something flashy the year before. Jacobs didn’t suddenly forget how to play football. He just didn’t put up the gaudy rushing totals he had in previous seasons. And in a league that loves shiny new things, a veteran back who isn’t cracking 1,000 yards gets overlooked fast.
The Packers are heading into training camp on July 29 after a brutal end to 2025. They blew a 21-3 halftime lead against the Bears in the wild-card round and lost 31-27. That kind of loss sticks with a team, and it probably didn’t help Jacobs’ case with voters either. People remember the losses more than the 13 touchdowns he scored.
Because let’s be clear: Jacobs was still productive. He carried the ball 234 times for 929 yards and hit the end zone 13 times on the ground. His 4.4 yards per carry isn’t elite, but it’s solid. He also caught 36 passes for 282 yards and a touchdown. That’s a versatile back who can stay on the field for all three downs.
The Red-Zone Factor Nobody’s Talking About
What the rankings miss — and what matters more than a flashy ranking — is that Jacobs was one of the most reliable short-yardage backs in the league. Thirteen rushing touchdowns in 15 games is no accident. Green Bay leaned on him near the goal line, and he delivered. That kind of value doesn’t always show up on a highlight reel, but it shows up in the win column.
He also lost two of his three fumbles, which isn’t great. But ball security isn’t something casual voters track, especially when they’re filling out a top 100 list by memory.
What This Means for 2026
Jacobs has been around long enough to know how this works. He dropped in the rankings once before in Las Vegas and came back. The motivation angle writes itself. He’ll be 28 this season, still in his prime for a running back, and the Packers need him to be a focal point if they want to get back to the playoffs.
Veterans report to training camp later this month. The ranking is already out there. Jacobs probably saw it. And if there’s one thing you can count on from a guy who’s been slept on before, it’s that he’ll use it.
Leave a Comment