Where does Thomas Rawls fit in the Jaguars future?

With the signing of running back Thomas Rawls this week, what role does he play in the Jacksonville Jaguars offense for 2019?

The Jacksonville Jaguars addition of Thomas Rawls to their stable of running backs could prove to be significant for the 2019 season. If you are connecting dots, you have to wonder if the former Seattle Seahawks running back could be part of a gameplan former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell would run, should he be named to the same position here in North Florida.

There are many ways to look at this signing, but most of all, it should be looked at as added depth to a unit that may be depleted once free agency begins and the team starts to release veterans from the roster.

If anything, the coaching staff, which has yet to name a running backs coach either, has a little more flexibility.

"“He fits with the Jaguars as a backup to Leonard Fournette, who is coming off a disappointing season in which he missed seven games because of injury and was suspended for another,” writes Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com.More from Jacksonville Jaguars NewsJacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeawaysJaguars News: The offense is in good shape for 2023NFL officially reinstates Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley: 3 immediate takeawaysDerek Carr immediately makes Jaguars vs. Saints 2023 away game Must-Watch TVJacksonville Jaguars fortify secondary in 4-round 2023 Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft“Fournette admitted late in the season that he wasn’t in the best shape, and there are questions about his commitment and work ethic.”"

On Thursday, Fournette met with the Jaguars front office to clear the air about his on-field and off-field issues this past season. It was reported the meeting went well and both sides are working in unison to move toward a better 2019 season.

The team needs Fournette to be on the same page as the coaching staff because changes are about to come in a big way.

Both T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant are expected to test free agency. Carlos Hyde may be released, allowing the team to save $4.75 million.

"According to Jaguars.com, “[Thomas] Rawls, who played collegiately at Michigan before playing his final collegiate season at Central Michigan, originally signed as an undrafted free agent with Seattle shortly after the 2015 NFL Draft.He made the roster as a rookie, rushing for 830 yards and four touchdowns on 147 carries that season.”"

Thomas Rawls is small, at 5-foot-9 and 215 pounds and could give the team the change of pace production Grant has offered the past four seasons.

The Jaguars will once again look to use the run as the lead part of the offense in 2019. The new offensive coordinator who comes in, whether or not it is Bevell, will need to find a balance between the run and the pass. The team also has David Williams on the roster and will get a long look to become more active in the run game in 2019.