Melvin Gordon: Leading rookie rushing title contenders
By Luke Sims
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back T.J. Yeldon (4) makes a move on Missouri Tigers safety Ian Simon (21) in the first quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome. Alabama beat Missouri 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
2) T.J. Yeldon, running back, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a strong history of dependable running backs. Stars like Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew highlight the group and T.J. Yeldon could be the next great Jags running back.
The third running back off the board (following Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin) in the 2015 NFL Draft, this second-round running back has equally high expectations placed upon him.
Expected to turn around a running attack that featured converted quarterback Denard Robinson in 2014, T.J. Yeldon is going to immediately improve the Jags’ rushing approach.
He isn’t expected to do it alone, however. The Jags have bolstered their offensive line, going out of their way to bring in players like center Stefen Wisniewski and right tackle Jermey Parnell. They hope this will improve a unit graded as fourth from last in 2014 by Pro Football Focus.
Yeldon enters 2015 nominally as part of a running back committee. He is playing with Robinson, Toby Gerhart, and Bernard Pierce looking to get some looks at the position as well. Still, he is leaps and bounds better than the rest of the players at his position, clearing cutting and bursting better than them. Expect Yeldon to emerge as the clear feature back for the Jaguars.
With Yeldon among the best offensive rookies coming in for 2015, it is not unfathomable for him to be both an offensive rookie of the year candidate and a contender for the rushing title. With over 3300 yards in three seasons at Alabama, Yeldon has proven he can be relied upon to produce.
The Jaguars are committed to the running game in 2015 and Yeldon looks to be the focus, with the offense likely running through him.
Next: A stellar third round running back is ready to dominate the NFL