As I think more about it, I believe if we want Gurley or Gordon, waiting until the second round might be a mistake.

 

I think there are a slew of teams that you could strongly argue need RB that pick before our pick at 36:

 

Minnesota (11th overall),

 

Cleveland (12, 19),

 

San Diego (17),

 

Arizona (24),

 

Dallas (27),

 

Indy (29),

 

New England (32)

 

and Oakland (35th)

 

This does not factor in those teams that draft BAP who may see one of the RBs as BAP at the time, or teams below us in the 2nd round (NY Jets) that could theoretically trade up into the bottom of the first to ensure they get a RB.

 

If the team is not careful, they could be without a top level RB to take some of the pressure off of Bortles.

 

While history has proven you can find RBs in the mid to late rounds, I think Bortles' development is too important to risk stunting by not getting him the help he needs, as Caldwell has stated he would.  A strong running game is a huge help to a young QB.

 

While I don't think we should take a RB at three, trading down, accumulating picks later to use to possibly trade up into the bottom of the first is the least we could do to ensure Bortles has a running game to lean on. 

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