Jacksonville Jaguars Projected 2015 Starters: Offense
By Luke Sims
Oct 4, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back T.J. Yeldon (4) runs for a first down during the first half against Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back
Starter: T.J. Yeldon, Second Round Draft Pick
The Jacksonville Jaguars overhauled their running back positions this offseason, parting ways with the full back position entirely and bringing in fresh blood like T.J. Yeldon and Bernard Pierce. Early 2014 starter Toby Gerhart will become a halfback/fullback hybrid runner with more diverse duties and 2014 standout Denard Robinson will be the primary change of pace behind Yeldon.
The Yeldon selection early in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft was a surprise to some people as every running back except Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon was left on the board. The Jaguars felt most comfortable with Yeldon and brought him in.
Head coach Gus Bradley needed to address the running back position in the 2015 NFL Draft after is ground to a halt at times in 2014. By bringing in Yeldon, he hopes to turn the position into a strength. Yeldon looks to be the bell cow back the Jaguars have needed since Maurice Jones-Drew ran out of tread and he will come in to carry the load immediately. This is to the benefit of Denard Robinson, who has excelled as a fluid running back performing change of pace duties. Robinson impressed at times last season, but he’s not a true NFL running back at this point in his career (transitioning from quarterback at Michigan) and he’ll have a chance to hone his skills while not being expected to be something he isn’t, yet.
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