(02-15-2018, 01:44 PM)knarnn Wrote: I'm of the belief that if we decide to roll with Bortles for another season we must insure our running game is consistent from game to game and not hit and miss as it was last season. Part of our issues in the running game last year were injuries to Fournette, inconsistent blocking upfront, and inconsistent play from others (Ivory and to some extent Fournette). I've come to the conclusion that the way Fournette plays as a hard downhill runner, expecting him to play a full 16 game season is going to be unrealistic. I expect O-line to be a priority this offseason and with Ivory most likely being a cap casualty this year, and Yeldon on the last year of his contact, now may be the time to start looking at the future. I was browsing the eligible draft prospects this year and it appears this years running back class is pretty deep. Here are my personal rankings so far:

1. Saquon Barkley | Penn State
2. Sony Michel | Georgia
3. Derrius Guice | LSU
4. Rashaad Penny | San Diego State
5. Nick Chubb | Georgia
6. Ronald Jones II | USC
7. Royce Freeman | Oregon
8. Bo Scarbrough | Alabama
9. Kerryon Johnson | Auburn
10. Mark Walton | Miami
11. Kalen Ballage | Arizona State
12. Josh Adams | Notre Dame


Even though it may be considered a luxury pick, I think now is the time to draft a developmental running back who can not only spell Fournette but can start for a few games in the inevitable event Fournette is unable to go. If a guy like Freeman or Ballage is still available in the 3rd or 4th rounds I believe it would be in our best interest to pull the trigger.

Tom Coughlin once said, "You can't have enough running backs." 

I remember the Jaguars already had RB James Stewart when they drafted Fred Taylor. Stewart was developing into a fine pro. Fred brought on competition that year. 

Before that we had James Stewart and Natrone Means.

Everybody remembers we had Fred Taylor when we drafted Maurice Jones-Drew. 

So sure it's fine to draft a running back.

Naturally, you draft the best players with each pick regardless of what position they happen to play. You do have some flexibility in the scouting grades. Several players will grade out the same and it's rare that five or six players graded the same play the same position.

So it's not like you end up with five offensive tackles in one draft. (although it wouldn't hurt to have five OTs)

If we reach a stage in the draft where we could draft a running back, but a player at another position carries a higher grade, you have to select the player with the better grade because you are getting a better football player. If there's a RB graded 5.5 and a SS or ILB with a 5.8 are also available you take either the ILB or the SS dependent upon which position is hungrier for talent.

It's ideal to draft the most talented player possible because you must get maximum value out of the pick you are given. Guys that talk about drafting a player to provide depth at a position make no sense at all. That means they will select a CB with a 5.2 and skip a OG with a 6.7 grade because there are already three OGs on the roster. The 6.7 OG is a much better football player than the 5.2 CB.

If you draft the CB instead, you have made your roster LESS talented.

There are a number of talent RBs in this draft if we happen to select one, but beware of the hype. Some of the best RB and WR talent is found everywhere in the draft.

If you can, take a look at Monmouth DB Mike Basile. Terrific football player.

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