Jacksonville Jaguars draft: 3 running back targets in round 2
Running back. Tar Heels . Javonte Williams. 2. player. 838.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will have their choices of UNC running backs.
While Michael Carter rose up draft boards after a superb performance over Resee’s Senior Bowl week, fellow North Carolina running back Javonte Williams will likely get his name called in the draft first.
The 2020 Second-Team All-American tallied 157 carries for 1,140 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2020 and has gained a first down or a touchdown on 40.7 percent of his total carries since 2019, per Pro Football Focus. Moreover, he’s the highest-graded running back in college football since 2014. Even though Williams doesn’t have elite speed or agility and needs to work on his pass-blocking skills, he’s a physical back with a penchant for breaking tackles.
North Carolina head coach Mack Brown likened Carter and Williams to former USC running backs Reggie Bush and LenDale White in a sit-down with NFL Network. During the interview, Brown described Williams as a powerful running back with the speed to make plays, the ability to pass protect, and catch the ball out of the backfield.
Bush went on to have a solid pro career while White lasted just four seasons in the NFL, so it may not be the best pro comparison. Nevertheless, Brown has the tools to excel at the NFL and if the Jaguars don’t take him in the second round, another team will take a flyer on him.