5 positions the Jaguars must address in the 2022 NFL Draft

No. 2 position the Jaguars must address in the draft – Running back.

NFL running backs no longer have the impact they used to have 30 years ago. Back in the day, you could game plan around them, give them 30 carries per game, and control the clock. That isn’t a feasible strategy anymore and that’s why you won’t often see running backs drafted in the first round. Having said that, they still play an important part in a team’s offense, especially those that can contribute in the passing game.

The Jaguars currently have a dynamic running back duo in Travis Etienne and James Robinson but both are coming off serious injuries and the front office must add depth to the group in the draft. Jacksonville invested a first-round pick in Etienne last year but it’s highly unlikely that they will use another early-round selection on the position. Nevertheless, they could find a good one in the fourth or fifth round.

In fact, general manager Trent Baalke told the media during the team’s pre-draft press conference that there will be plenty of running-back talent available in the middle rounds of the selection meeting. The Jags can prioritize other positions in the first three rounds and target someone like Arizona State’s Rachaad White, Georgia’s Zamir White, or Cincinnati’s Jerome Ford.

While Etienne should be back for training camp (and possibly before then), the Jags must add insurance to their backfield in the draft and once all their running backs are healthy, they could have a formidable rushing attack.