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T.J. Yeldon, Chris Ivory the 7th best RB group according to Pro Football Focus

By Daniel Lago

Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) runs during player introductions against the Indianapolis Colts during pre-game at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 51-16. Mandatory Credit: Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) runs during player introductions against the Indianapolis Colts during pre-game at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 51-16. Mandatory Credit: Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports /
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T.J. Yeldon showed plenty of promise in his rookie season, but the Jacksonville Jaguars decided to address running back this offseason anyway.

Some were shocked when the Jacksonville Jaguars took T.J. Yeldon in the 2nd round of the 2015 NFL Draft, mostly because analysts tend not to value the position so much in the modern NFL. The thought was Yeldon could come in and immediately start, carry the load, and give the Jaguars consistency in the backfield for the first time since 2013.

Yeldon ended up having a solid rookie year both as a runner and catching the ball out of the backfield, but nagging injuries ultimately hampered his production. Even though some people have high hopes for Yeldon, the Jaguars wanted some insurance and a little more power. Consequently, the signed former Jets bruiser Chris Ivory to a rather lucrative contract.

Mike Renner over at Pro Football Focus thinks the addition of Chris Ivory gives the Jaguars the 7th best running back group in the NFL.

"7. Jacksonville JaguarsStarter: T.J. YeldonBackups: Chris Ivory, Denard RobinsonKey stat: Chris Ivory earned his highest overall grade for a season in 2015.The Jaguars didn’t necessarily need to bring in a back to take carries from T.J. Yeldon, but it’s difficult to argue with the value that Chris Ivory brings. Ivory has averaged 2.5+ yards after contact per attempt every single season of his career. Yeldon is no slouch himself, though; he finished with the second-highest rushing grade among rookie running backs last season."

A lot of analysts panned the Jaguars for spending so much on Ivory, but salary cap space isn’t anywhere near an issue for the Jags and the effect on the field can’t be denied. Last year, the Jaguars trudged out Toby Gerhart as the short-yardage back and he was an abject disaster (see, London game against the Buffalo Bills at the goal line). Ivory is a proven power back and he should stay relatively fresh in a rotation with Yeldon.

Moving up in this ranking is entirely on Yeldon however – he showed outstanding lateral agility as a rookie and should only get better.

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