Jaguars potential 2022 draft picks to watch: Alabama vs. Cincinnati

No. 3 Draft prospect Jaguars must watch – Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati.

Before the start of the 2021 regular season, it looked like the Jaguars had a formidable running back duo in rookie Travis Etienne and sophomore James Robinson. Alas, the former suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason and never suited up while the latter tore his Achilles against the New York Jets in Week 15. Suddenly, running back has become a need for Jacksonville, as it’s uncertain if Etienne and Robinson will be 100 percent next year.

There will be several running backs available in next year’s free agency but if the Jags prefer to use their cap space on other positions, they can look at the draft for help. Jeremy Ford transferred from Alabama after two years and had a breakout season for the Bearcats in 2021, racking up 200 carries for 12,41 yards, the most in the American Athletic Conference, and 19 touchdowns.

Moreover, Ford will have fresh legs heading into the draft process, as he only tallied 31 carries during his two-year stint with the Crimson Tide and 73 in his first year at Cincinnati. Playing behind the Bearcats’ offensive line has surely helped the Florida product succeed, but make no mistake, he’s displayed the burst and the speed to thrive in the pros. On the other hand, he hasn’t shown as a pass-catcher.

The Jags can’t once again invest a first-round pick (or even a second) in a running back and Ford makes sense in the third or fourth round of next year’s draft.