Jacksonville Jaguars: Adding another running back should be high priority
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars have five running backs currently on their roster. Leonard Fournette is the only one that opponents scheme to stop.
The Jacksonville Jaguars addressed several areas of the team in free agency. After Chad Henne signed with Kansas City, Cody Kessler was obtained from Cleveland. Running back Chris Ivory was released but has not been replaced, so far. There are five running backs on the Jaguars roster. Only three saw game action last season. Corey Grant was the only one to suit up for all sixteen regular season games.
Leonard Fournette led the Jaguars in rushing with 1,040 yards. He led the running backs in receiving yards with 302. Yet, he missed three games. Fournette’s ankle has been tagged as a chronic problem injury. Since his college days at LSU, he has played through the pain. Consequently, he battled through his chronic ankle problem last season.
Last November, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reported Fournette speaking about his ankle injury:
"“It’s nothing new,” Fournette said. “I played with it in college. I’m playing with it at this level. Like I said, I’m not going to be fresh until after the season.”"
T.J. Yeldon is the Jaguars No. 2 option in the running game. Yeldon ran for 253 yards and caught 30 passes for 224 yards. He scored two rushing touchdowns. He played in 10 games last regular season.
The Jaguars need to address the running back situation, whether in a trade or via the draft. Yeldon and Grant do not complement Fournette. Their combined rushing yards are 501 and receiving yards are 265, less than Fournette’s production.
Spotrac.com lists 25 available free agent running backs. Seven are 30 years old and older. Two are 25 years old or younger. The draft would be a better place to find another running back.
Would the Jaguars move up in the first round to take Saquon Barkley? Barkley stands 5-11, weighing 223 pounds. He is similar to Fournette at 6-0, 228 pounds. The Jaguars need a speedy big back. Kalen Ballage would complement Fournette in the power running attack. Most of all, Ballage ran a 4.46 second 40 yard dash at the NFL combine.
Walterfootball.com gives a brief description of Ballage:
"He has a real burst with first-step quickness to hit the hole before it closes. Even though Ballage is a big back, he is more elusive in the open field than a power runner who runs through tackles. As a receiving back for the NFL, Ballage is very impressive. He has soft hands to make receptions and runs good routes."
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Ballage is an upgrade over Yeldon or Grant. He combines speed and size as a complement to Fournette. Let’s hope Ballage is toting the rock this season in Jacksonville.