The 2015 NFL Draft is fast approaching and this is where the real stocking of a roster occurs. Free agency is important each and every year and it brings in players who can help a team improve immediately, but it’s the draft that allows general managers to find players who will be the right fit for their team going forward, bringing in young players who can be molded into the role the team needs.
Recently, co-editor Daniel Lago noted that the Jaguars need to go after a running back in the 2015 NFL Draft. As much as I would like to count on Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart, and Storm Johnson, I know that none of them are at a place where they can be a consistent feature back. None of them have proven they can be above average backs for more than a few games. While I would like to think they will develop enough this offseason, the more likely scenario is that the team brings in some help.
I would be shocked if that help came in the form of a first round pick – especially as the running back position has sunk in value in recent years – and expect the Jags to wait until at least round two and maybe into the later rounds to address the position. With one of the best running back classes to hit the draft in recent memory, the 2015 NFL Draft could still yield excellent value for the Jaguars at the position, no matter where they pick.
Let’s take a look at some players who should be available for the Jaguars.
Nov 1, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs for first down during the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
There is a strong case to be made that Gordon could be a first round pick. To me, however, I see just one runner chosen in the first round and that’s Todd Gurley. That means Gordon will be ripe fruit for any bold team early in the second round. If the Jacksonville Jaguars were really looking to bolster the position and they saw Gordon available at the fourth pick of the second round, he’d be really tough to pass up.
Lance Zierlein at NFL.com doesn’t believe Gordon could be a three-down back in the NFL. Personally, I think the potential is there. At a minimum, Gordon would be given the opportunity to show he can be a three-down back with the Jaguars. Even if he turned out not to be so, he could be an effective runner in committee with Robinson and Gerhart. At that point, however, you’ve got to wonder if a committee back is worth a high second round pick.
In my mind, Gordon is a back you take a chance on anyway, though. He put together a ridiculous 2587 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. He comes from the Big 10, which is a dominant conference, and he’s got the size (6’1″, 213 pounds) to be an effective back in the NFL.
Next: A violent runner and a former soccer player
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jay Ajayi (27) against the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Wildcats 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Ajayi, Boise State
If we talk about workhorse backs coming out of college, it’s tough to overlook Ajayi. He put in an incredibly impressive 347 attempts last season for Boise State and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. While that should dip at the NFL level, it’s apparent that Ajayi is willing and able to carry the rock for a team.
While he may want to head to the Dallas Cowboys, it really comes down to what team drafts him and how they want to use him.
Ajayi has excellent feet (attributed to his time as a soccer player) and he’s shown he knows when to accelerate through his runs and into the next level of the defense. That suggest high athleticism and vision, something that many running backs need but never develop.
Projected as a second or third round pick, if Gordon is off the board (which is perfectly possible) then Ajayi is definitely someone to consider at fourth in the second round. If he falls all the way to the third (which would be shocking to me) then he would be a no-brainer pickup for general manager Dave Caldwell in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Nov 29, 2014; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman (6) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium. Indiana defeated Purdue 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
Tevin Coleman, Indiana
Described as a “violent runner,” Coleman could be the kind of player the Jaguars are looking for. With nobody really having that aggressive feel to him in the current running back stable, bringing in someone who is more than willing to teach defenses who should actually be afraid when he touches the ball. Another Big 10 runner with over 2000 yards last season, Coleman has shown he can produce, averaging 7.5 yards per carry during his last season for Indiana.
What I like most about Coleman is that he would be an addition to many rosters (Jags included) and instantly fill a role that they are lacking: punishing runner. We’re not just talking about a third down back that can move a pile. We’re talking about a guy that hurts the opposition, with his feet and with his body if need be. That’s really tough to pass up/
Another second or third round projection, Coleman seems a bit risky in the second round because of his 110% approach to running. No team wants to run a back into the ground after just a few years if they can help it; especially a high draft choice. If he’s available at three, however, then that’s starting to seem more plausible.
Next: A dependable, physical back and a gamble
Jan 24, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad running back David Cobb of Minnesota (37) carries against the South squad during the third quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The North squad defeated the South squad 34-13. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
David Cobb, Minnesota
For those noticing a trend here, I like those Big 10 backs. Jumping down to the mid rounds, Cobb is likely a third, fourth, or fifth round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean he isn’t going to come into the NFL with plenty of skills to lend to whichever team drafts him. What I like about Cobb is summed up well at his NFL.com profile: “Cobb’s YouTube highlights might bore you, but he’s custom-made for physical running teams.”
While Coleman would bring violent running, Cobb would bring dependable physical running. That isn’t a bad thing, physical runners don’t have to be violent runners. Cobb gets the job done and has more upside to me than what Toby Gerhart brought when he was signed by the Jaguars last year. Cobb finished his career with Minnesota with two 1000 yard seasons while averaging over five yards per carry. That’s consistent, powerful running.
Teams like the Jaguars shouldn’t pass on someone like Cobb – especially if he provides a perfect complement to someone like Denard Robinson – in the 2015 NFL Draft. At 5’11” and 229, Cobb is built to get the job done. At this point he’s worth a gamble just to see how dependable he is in the NFL.
Oct 25, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tailback Mike Davis (28) scores a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Davis, South Carolina
Davis is another mid round selection with plenty of talent still. Not the most consistent runner on this list, Davis does have the skills to be an effective back.
Some team will take a chance on Davis and could come away happy with the decision. Then again, he could turn out to not be as effective as he was in college. There’s just something about him that’s tough to ignore, though. He can be an effective North-South runner for a team looking for that.
Considered a capable backup with the potential to be a starter, plugging Davis into a committee may be the best choice for teams looking at him. At this point I think he’s an incredibly tempting prospect, but I value consistency a bit more and being unable to replicate a 1000 yard season following his sophomore year gives me pause.
There are other great backs that can help NFL teams and will be available in the 2015 NFL Draft. Some of these guys may go earlier or they may go later, we won’t know until April.
There are plenty of options available, though. These are just three.
Next: What about Wide Receiver? Amari Cooper or Kevin White?
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