Grading Jaguars 7-pick haul in talent-filled 2022 NFL Draft

Grading Jaguars 2022 NFL Draft: Round 5, No. 154 pick – Snoop Conner, RB.

Running back was low-key a need for the Jaguars this offseason with both Travis Etienne and James Robinson coming off serious injuries. Etienne suffered a Lisfranc injury last preseason and should have no limitations in training camp. However, Robinson might not be a full-go until the start of the 2022season, so it made sense for the team’s brass to another running back to their backfield.

Instead of targeting some of the top players in free agency, the Jags waited until the fifth round to take Ole Miss’ Snoop Conner.  But in order to land him, Jacksonville had to trade for the No. 154 pick, which they got from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for picks No. 188 and No. 198. On a side note, Jacksonville also had picks No. 157th and No. 235 but traded them to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fourth-round selection in 2023.

Before the draft, Trent Baalke told the media that there were going to be plenty of talented running backs in the middle of the drafts and once they address other positions, the Jags added Conner.

The Mississippi native wasn’t a lead back for the Rebels but he was productive when he got the ball in his hands, racking up 304 carries, for  1,580 yards with 26 touchdowns. Conner doesn’t have top speed and needs to work on his pass-catching skills. Nevertheless, he could get a big workload early in the season if Robinson isn’t good to go. Still, he needs to show he’s a legitimate option in the Jaguars’ passing game and be a three-down back, which is why his grade takes a slight hit.

Grade: C+