July 27, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Montell Owens (24) during the first day of training camp practice at Florida Blue Health

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a glut of running backs these days and it might not get pretty when it comes time to make the cuts.  Running back is an increasingly devalued position but the Jaguars’ offensive will likely still run through Maurice Jones-Drew and his primary backup, who figures to be Justin Forsett right now.  While rosters swell at this point in the year, the Jaguars seem to have a disproportionate amount of decent running back talent on their roster.

Currently under contract at halfback and fullback are:

• Maurice Jones-Drew
• Justin Forsett
• Denard Robinson
• Montell Owens
• Will Ta’ufo’ou
• Jordan Todman
• Richard Murphy
• Lonnie Pryor
• Jonathan Grimes

It’s a given that MJD, Forsett, and Robinson will make the team. That’s pretty much a given based on previous success, free agency, and the draft.  However, the other spots seem up for grabs.  Can the Jaguars really carry four halfbacks and two fullbacks?  I don’t think so.

For that reason I think that the halfbacks will be capped at three and we’ll see MJD, Forsett, and Robinson in the lineup for week one.  This cuts Murphy (who I thought was underwhelming last season), Todman, and Grimes.

Fullback seems to be wide open.  Owens proved that he could run well last year (five yard average per attempt) despite being considered just a special teams player.  I think he’ll be brought back purely because he’s worth it on special teams and worth it as a reliable backup running back.  If Owerns makes it back on the team, then do the Jaguars carry two fullbacks?  That is the real question for the Jaguars.  Ta’ufo’ou has been a body with the team for a while but has never been given the chance, but I think he might lose out to Pryor.  Pryor, an undrafted rookie, is cheap and offers upside while Ta’ufo’ou is more of a low ceiling known commodity.

Either way, as we look at the Jaguars’ logjam of running back talent, the team is going to be getting rid of a familiar name or two.  I hope they keep Owens and Pryor, but if they only carry one fullback expect Owens to get the nod and become more involved on offense.

- Luke N. Sims

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Dec 24, 2011; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jaguars 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

“Luck is what happens when preparation and opportunity meet” -Seneca

Tell that to the guy that lost by a fraction of a point to miss his Fantasy Playoffs. Or how you felt about the guy or girl that took Adrian Peterson in the first round and rode his talents all the way to 1st place. But, the reality is, the ones that constantly win year in and year out are the ones that prepare and know there stuff.

Here we start with the Jacksonville Jaguars current roster and how their draft will affect Fantasy Football.

Quarterback: The reality is, you’re not drafting any Jaguars QB on your Fantasy team this year. With the exception of Matt Scott. And that’s only if you’re in a Dynasty League. The QB play in Jacksonville has got to get get better and has a negative effect on the rest of the team. Not only in reality, but fantasy as well. With the exception of…

Running Back: If you throw out last year’s injury plagued season, Maurice Jones-Drew is an elite Fantasy Stud. With the exception of a playoff spot (let’s be honest, not gonna happen), he has everything to play for. This is a contract year for MJD, and he already stated he won’t be sitting out. I’m sure he knows if he has a solid year this could be his last “big” payday of his career. You add the Jags #1 pick, OT Luke Joeckel, plus poor QB play and you’ve got a man that’ll be given multiple touches behind a solid Offensive line driven to succeed. Justin Forsett and Denard Robinson have the potential to be waiver wire gems if MJD gets hurt. And I’d keep a watchful eye on Robinson during OTAs and preseason. He could make for an intriguing Dynasty prospect.

Wide Receiver: Even with poor QB play, Justin Blackmon (don’t get me started) and Cecil Shorts did well enough to eventually earn an early to mid season Fantasy roster spot. Look for Cecil Shorts to be a decent late round pick up. Blackmon’s 4 game suspension will get him taken off most Fantasy draft boards. If you’re in a league that counts return yardage, Ace Sanders has the explosiveness to be a late round sleeper. Jordan Shipley and Mohamed Massaquoi will likely be non factors from a fantasy perspective.

Tight End: A mere two seasons ago Marcedes Lewis was drafted well before the likes of Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski. My how times have changed. Depending on how the season goes, Lewis will more than likely only be used as a bye week plug and play…maybe.

Defense/Special Teams: While the addition of Johnathan Cyprian and Dwayne Gratz will move us in the right direction, the Jaguars have a ways to go. Gus Bradley’s defensive genius may warrant you to use them in the match up game. But I’d wait to see how the season progresses.

Kicker: Awe yes, the kicker. Remember what Seneca said about planning and opportunity. Yes, it defines luck. Say the guy that lost by a fraction of a point had a solid kicker A solid kicker is often the difference between winning or losing. In reality or fantasy football. Josh Scobee is a good kicker, but not a great kicker worth drafting. As a team, the Jags have to consistently prove they can drive the ball down the field to get Scobee back to greatness.

Feel free to chime in. I’m looking forward to contributing to this Thursday spot. I have a passion for Jaguar and Fantasy Football and will be weighing in on both.

-Jason Abarca

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces offensive tackle Luke Joeckel (Texas A

Blaine Gabbert, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterback, is struggling to develop as quickly as the team would prefer, but with new first round selection Luke Joeckel in place in the offensive line he will have a quality player who could keep him off the turf in season three.  Joeckel is a great offensive tackle but can he make Gabbert better?  It seems that new GM Dave Caldwell is willing to spend his time picking up a solid building block and seeing if Gabbert is worth keeping immediately rather than stringing out the process for season after season.

Joeckel can’t fix Gabbert which means that the Jaguars will be able to evaluate him better this season and see if they want to move on or continue the game of trying to make him “the guy.”  I like the Joeckel pick because it really allows the Jaguars to make things easier for the offense.  He should make the players around him better, even the wide receivers should benefit from the time he will provide whichever quarterback he is protecting.

The player who may most benefit from Joeckel could be running back Maurice Jones-Drew.  MJD doesn’t need a great offensive line to be a great rusher, just look at 2011.  That said, with Joeckel in place – likely at right tackle – Jones-Drew will have much bigger holes to run through and the ability to compete again for the rushing title.  Joeckel’s strongest part of his game is his pass protection but he promises to be a very good run blocker as well.

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims