Jacksonville Jaguars: How does T.J. Yeldon fit in for 2016?

Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon is one of the larger question marks on the team as the build up to training camp continues.

With rumors that newly-signed running back, and 2015 Pro Bowler, Chris Ivory may end up taking most of the carries, questions linger over 2015 workhorse T.J. Yeldon.

Yeldon definitely has the ability to be one of the better running backs in the NFL and even finished 15th in the NFL in yards per game as a rookie in 2015. With his entire career in front of him, most Jacksonville Jaguars fans anticipated Yeldon to get into the top 10 as a second year man.

Those opportunities may no longer be open to him.

When Ivory was surprisingly signed in the offseason I originally wrote about the two splitting carries. It seemed to be a net benefit for both Yeldon and the Jaguars as the team was unsatisfactory in the running game when Yeldon was off the field for multiple games due to injury. Now, it’s far less certain that Yeldon will be part of a true one-two punch at running back with Ivory and may end up playing second fiddle.

This is due not just to production when Yeldon missed games in 2015, but also due to deficiencies in his game. Conor Orr at NFL.com questions how Yeldon can step up as a pass protector, citing that as a prime reason to bring in Ivory and have him on the field. In today’s NFL, running backs must be excellent pass protectors as well as runners if teams want to be competitive and Yeldon certainly has his work cut out for him.

Orr is looking directly to training camp in wondering about Yeldon, but that may not be something to be solved until the preseason or the regular season. Actual game action will be more telling for the young running back.

For now, it looks like Yeldon will simply see some more of his time on the field cut in favor of Ivory as the Jacksonville Jaguars seek out a balance. Training camp will provide a window into the 2016 season and give the coaching staff a chance to evaluate the two more fairly since acquiring Ivory and then find the right balance.

More running backs: Can Chris Ivory be a Pro Bowler in 2016?

T.J. Yeldon will fit in somewhere, we’ll definitely see his jersey out on the field, but it’s a matter of where and when. He’ll have to show he’s become more of an all around player in the offseason to justify eating into Ivory’s carries. For now it’s a bit of wait and see, but don’t be shocked to hear him fighting hard in all aspects of the modern NFL running back’s responsibilities.