3 former Jaguars who should be Hall of Famers before Julian Edelman

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ best running back has to make the Hall of Fame.

Running backs don’t have the impact they used to have 30 or even 20 years ago. Do you remember the 2005 NFL draft? Three running backs went in the top 5, Carnell ‘Cadillac’ Williams, Cedric Benson, and Ronnie Brown, and the New Orleans Saints made USC superstar the second overall pick the following year. Around that time, Fred Taylor was the Jaguars’ starting running back.

A first-round selection in 1998, Taylor is the most productive running back in Jags’ history. Over his 11-year stint in Jacksonville, the Florida product racked up 2,428 carries for 11,271 yards and 62 touchdowns. Moreover, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 89.5 yards per game. While he went on to have two non-productive years with the Patriots, Taylor was a key cog in the Jaguars’ offense. In fact, he, along with wide receiver Jimmy Smith, was one of their most recognizable players in the early 2000s.

Honestly, who do you remember from the Jack Del Rio Era besides Smith and Taylor? Cornerback Rashid Mathis? Safety Donovin Darius? Linebacker Mike Peterson? All of them were fine players but none of them had a bigger impact than the running back.

It’s true that Taylor only made one Pro Bowl, but his career numbers compare well to other running backs that have made the Hall of Fame. He has more rushing yards than Earl Campbell and O.J. Simpson and neither of them had great playoff performances, so it’s clear they earned the honor due to their regular-season exploits, that’s why Taylor also needs to be in.