Just before the NFL Draft, rumors surfaced that the Jacksonville Jaguars could trade up for running back Jadarian Price if he slid to Round 2. This made sense when you take into account that they lost Travis Etienne in free agency. But in the end, Price went to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 32, and the Jags didn't make a single addition at running back in the draft. Having said that, they did sign J'Mari Taylor as an undrafted free agent in the aftermath.
Taylor joins a stacked backfield that includes Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez, LeQuint Allen Jr., and DeeJay Dallas. While it's hard to see them work his way up all the way to the top of the depth chart, he's talented enough to make you think that he could end up stealing a roster spot.
The Jaguars could keep J'Mari Taylor over DeeJay Dallas on the 53-man roster
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic chose one undrafted free agent for each NFL team with the best chance to earn a roster spot. For the Jaguars, he chose J'Mari Taylor, pointing out that he was productive enough at the collegiate level to make you think that he could crack the team.
"The 5-foot-9, 199-pounder put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Virginia and North Carolina Central, with a combined 29 touchdowns in that span," Baumgardner wrote. "He's a small, patient runner between the tackles and a legit receiving threat — Taylor had 98 catches for 982 yards and 10 TDs in college."
That kind of versatility would come in handy in Duval, as the Jaguars ask their running back to be heavily involved in the passing game. Just last year, Travis Etienne had 36 catches for 292 yards with a career-best six receiving touchdowns. Bhayshul Tuten will pick up some of the slack, but Jacksonville would surely love to have another running back with pass-catching skills in the mix.
Keep in mind that Baumberger is far from the only analyst who thinks Taylor has a shot at making the team. John Shipley drew up a list of five undrafted rookies that could land on the initial 53-man roster, and chose the North Carolina Central Eagle, noting that he's shown the ability to earn the tough yards on his own.
Shipley also thinks that Taylor could push DeeJay Dallas out, and understandably so. Tuten is expected to be RB1, while Chris Rodriguez will also get ample playing time. LeQuint Allen Jr. will return as a blocking and pass-catching specialist. This would potentially leave Dallas as the victim of the numbers game, even though he just signed a one-year deal to return to Duval last February.
Why the Jaguars could keep J'Mari Taylor over DeeJay Dallas
As an undrafted free agent, J'Mari Taylor has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. In training camp, he'll get limited reps, so it will be up to them to make the most of them. Having said that, the former Virginia Cavalier will get a chance. Couple that with the fact that this Jaguars regime prizes competition, and he could end up making the cut.
Having said that, DeeJay Dallas won't give up without a fight, so expect him to compete and take things to the wire.
In the end, the Jaguars will go with whoever made a stronger impression, but nobody will bat an eye if it turns out to be J'Mari Taylor.
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