This thread is intended to make for a thorough discussion about the Jaguars running backs. Anything you hear about any RB on the team, go ahead and post it. We need to sort these guys out. 

The Jaguars have six RBs on their team including their lead back Leonard Fournette, and their new FB Dimitri Flowers.  I expect Fournette will return to form this season especially behind a beefed up Oline with Cam, Norwell and Linder returning, with AJ Cann continuing his starting streak, and with Jawaan Taylor now in the fold at RT. I'll start by roughly ranking/listing the names, and then I'll discuss each RB in this thread beginning with Flowers in this post.

1. Leonard Fournette
   
2. Alfred Blue
   
3. Thomas Rawls
   
4. Ryquell Armstead
   
5. Benny Cunningham
   
6. David Williams
   

At least four of these names make the roster.

Now let's talk some Fullback as the Jaguars are going to need one. There's a chance they go without a FB on the roster to keep an extra RB, but they would then need a guy who can also play the position. Maybe Ryquell can start out in the role before seeing more action at RB, or perhaps Koyack can get the FB reps. That said, my presumption is they simply like Dimitri Flowers enough that they're comfortable with him being the starting FB. This is the most logical conclusion seeing as they have not addressed the position with additional competition. So let's take a closer look at Flowers...

#35 FB Dimitri Flowers, Oklahoma - 1st-year player, 6-2, 248 lbs, 23 years old, from San Antonio, TX (Churchill High School)

Dimitri's dad is former Bill's defensive end Erik Flowers, and his cousin Tre Flowers was drafted by the Seahawks in the same draft. Draftscout.com had him projected in rounds 5 to 6 as the 2nd best FB in the 2018 draft, however, he ended up being an undrafted free agent for the Jets and was waived in the final cutdown to 53. The Jaguars signed him to their PS on December 18th, and then he was activated on December 28th and played in the season finale at Houston.

Flowers ran a 4.8 40-yard dash at the combine along with 17 225-lb reps on the bench. His highlights reveal a back who can catch...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acnr-ThlbKA

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'02

I think Armstead is at worst #3 in touches. Rawls isn't even a lock to make the roster where as Armstead is.

Also telling that they were considering him in the 3rd round. Blue is solid but doesn't offer what he can but Armstead will have to show he can block and improve vision wise before getting a decent role

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I think Armstead is at worst #3 in touches. Rawls isn't even a lock to make the roster where as Armstead is.  

Also telling that they were considering him in the 3rd round. Blue is solid but doesn't offer what he can but Armstead will have to show he can block and improve vision wise before getting a decent role

Given his competition, it may be only a matter of time until Armstead establishes himself as the #2 RB. Early on, however, I imagine we'll lean on the vets.

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'02

Putting Armstead at FB is an absolutely terrible idea. He's already the 2nd best back on this team and you would be wasting his talents by making him go full steam into a LB.

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Yes, Rawls is done.

2017 season (Seahawks)
157 rushing yards on 58 carries to go along with nine receptions for 94 yards.

2018 season
New York Jets
On March 30, 2018, Rawls signed with the New York Jets.  Released on September 1, 2018.

Cincinnati Bengals
On September 19, 2018, Rawls was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. Released on October 9, 2018.

2019 season
Jacksonville Jaguars
On January 9, 2019, Rawls signed a futures contract with the Jags

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Not to be totally overlooked, if you check out the UDFA signee thread, I posted a video of Taj McGowan, an invited RB from UCF to next week's minicamp. If he impresses he could get signed up to partake in training camp with a shot at the practice squad. 

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'02

I think Armstead is at worst #3 in touches. Rawls isn't even a lock to make the roster where as Armstead is.  

Also telling that they were considering him in the 3rd round. Blue is solid but doesn't offer what he can but Armstead will have to show he can block and improve vision wise before getting a decent role

Given his competition, it may be only a matter of time until Armstead establishes himself as the #2 RB. Early on, however, I imagine we'll lean on the vets.

And playing the vets just because they're vets is a mistake.

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Yes, Rawls is done.

2017 season (Seahawks)
157 rushing yards on 58 carries to go along with nine receptions for 94 yards.

2018 season
New York Jets
On March 30, 2018, Rawls signed with the New York Jets.  Released on September 1, 2018.

Cincinnati Bengals
On September 19, 2018, Rawls was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. Released on October 9, 2018.

2019 season
Jacksonville Jaguars
On January 9, 2019, Rawls signed a futures contract with the Jags

Since you brought him up, I'll look at Rawls next...

Now I recall Rawls back when he was with the Seahawks, and he was impressive before the injuries got the best of him.

#34 Thomas Rawks, Central Michigan - 4th-year player, 5-9, 215 lbs, 25 years old (turning 26 in August), from Flint, Michigan (Flint Northern HS)

Rawls spent his early college years at Michigan after being a record setter for his high school and the MVP of his HS league. In 2014, Rawls transferred to Central Michigan for his senior season. A wiki article sums up his season with the Chippewas...

On September 6, 2014, Rawls rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns in Central Michigan's 38–17 victory over Purdue. After the game, Rawls told reporters, "I felt like the game was on me. I want that pressure. It excites me and boosts me to run even harder. The coaching staff put their trust in me." ...On September 13, 2014, Rawls was held out of a game against the Syracuse Orange for unknown reasons but Rawls had a career game upon his return. He ran the ball 40 times for 229 yards against Ohio, then another 40 times against Northern Illinois for a career-high 270 yards. The Chippewas' offense was centered around Rawls to set up the passing attack. Rawls finished the season with 1,103 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, despite playing in 7 of the team's 13 games due to suspension and injury.

With a 4.46 40 and a 35 1/2" vert, Rawls was projected as a late round draft pick and ended up as an UDFA for the Seahawks. As a rookie in 2015, while backing up Marshawn Lynch, Rawls played in 13 games, starting 7 of those while posting 830 yards and 4 TDs along with 9 catches for 76 yards and a TD. He had a season-long run of 76-yards for a TD and averaged 5.6 yards a carry. Over his first 6 starts Rawls amassed 711 yards setting the record for the most yards by an undrafted rookie including a game against the 49ers on November 22nd when he set the Seahawks' record for the most single-game rushing yards by a rookie with 209 yards (255 total yards with 2 TDs). Three weeks later Rawls was placed on IR with a fractured ankle suffered in a week 3 blowout win over the Ravens where he averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

In 2016, Rawls fractured his fibula in a week two start at the Rams and was shut down until week 11.  He'd end up starting the last six games and two playoff games including a 26-6 Wildcard win over the Lions where he set Seahawks post-season single-game rushing yards record with 161 yards.

In 2017 the Seahawks offensive line suffered setbacks leading to a situation where they couldn't get the running game going. Rawls played sparingly including 3 early season starts. He spent the 2018 offseason with the Jets but was waived in the final cutdown. The Bengals picked him up but waived him a month later. It appears he's been working out to regain his shape since and is now looking to claim a roster spot with the Jaguars backing up Fournette. 

The following is the highlights from Rawks epic 209-yard rushing game as a rookie...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAZHTOvoPO0

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'02

I anticipate Fournette and Armstead being the 1 - 2 punch with Cunningham being the third down back.

Blue may stick as depth.
Rawls is a longshot to be around in September unless 8 months away from football really served him well.

Wouldn't be surprised by a waiver claim being thrown into the mix in July or August.

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Fournette and Armstead are locks and should easily be 1-2. The rest of the list is completely underwhelming. It's anyone's guess who the 3rd and 4th spot will go to. I just know of that list, Alfred Blue is my least favorite. I never understood why Houston kept him as long as they did. He was the king of the 2 yard runs.

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So, next up...

#23 Alfred Blue, LSU - 6th-year player, 6-2, 225 lbs, 28 years old, from Boutte, LA (Hahnville HS)

Blue was most often the Texans 3rd down RB although he's occasionally had larger roles in their offense. We of course all know him because whenever he touched the ball in Houston, the fans would tell "BLUUUUUEEEE!" I imagine he'll be squaring off primarily against Benny Cunningham for the Jaguars 3rd down RB role where you want a RB who can pick up blitzers and catch.  Blue signed a one-year deal worth right about $900,000, and of all their RBs he's the one that might provide a little change of pace.

Heading into the draft Blue posted a 4.6 40, a 10' 1" broadjump and did 13 reps on the bench. Over the past five seasons since being drafted by the Texans in the sixth round, Alfred Blue has been very consistent. That is to say you pretty much know precisely what your getting, and his last season is a prime example. I'm just going to post his stats from this past season as they work out to right about what he posts every year...

• Alfred Blue, Texans, 2018: 16 games, 2 starts, 150 carries for 499 yards (3.3 ypc) and 2 TDs; 20 rec for 154 yards (7.7 avg); no fumbles
  

Alfred has had five 100-yard rushing games including three in 2015, and he was a core member of the Texans Special Teams. One ST coach even termed him "indespensible," and he even recorded a blocked punt for a TD.

The following highlights cover his first four seasons with the Texans, 2014 through 2017...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqNGLo5g9D8

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'02

Next, we'll look at who appears to be Alfred Blue's primary competition for the 3rd downs RB role...

#29 Benny Cunningham, Middle Tennessee State - 6th-year player, 5'10", 218 lbs, 28 years old (turns 29 in July), from Madison, TN (Goodpasture Christian School)

I keep noticing similarities between Cunningham and Blue. Both have primarily been 3rd down RBs with their former teams showing the ability to pick up blitzers and catch the ball. They're also both core Special Teams members, they were both track stars in college, and they were also both give the exact same one-year deal. Cunningham did a little more than Blue in the receiving game over his past six seasons in the NFL, however, his rushing productivity doesn't even compare. Where Blue was rushing for like 500 yards a season, Cunningham is more likely to post around 150 yards. The past two seasons with the Bears he hardly rushed at all.

Bennie Cunningham was an undrafted free agent by the St. Louis Rams in 2013. He reportedly ran a 4.38 40 during his senior season, however, he injured his foot and ended up running around a 4.65 at the combine. Just before the draft in a workout, he ran a 4.5 for the Rams. His first two seasons with the Rams were his best seasons when averaged about 250 yards and 2 TD a season. This third season with the Rams, 2015, he put up roughly the kind of stats I'd expect from him with the Jaguars...

• Benny Cunningham, Rams, 2015 - 16 games, 1 start, 37 carries for 140 yards (3.8 ypc), 26 rec for 250 yards (9.6 avg); 1 fumble
  

It's rare to see Cunningham top 30 yards rushing in a game. He has one 100-yard running game when he reached 109 yards vs the Bears as a rookie in 2013. With the Bears he was featured more on Special Teams and responded with some big plays. Here are some highlights from his 2017 season with the Bears...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-KU_iDEqoA

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'02

Now for the enigma...

#33 David Williams, Arkansas - 2nd-year player, 6'1", 229 lbs, 24 years old (turns 25 in June), from Philadephia, PA (Imhotep Institute)

After three years at South Carolina, Williams transferred to Arkansas for his senior season where he played in 12 games as a backup RB posting 656 yards and 8 TDs on 117 carries (5.6 ypc) along with 10 receptions for 171 yards (17.1 avg) and 2 TDs in 2017. At his Pro Day, Williams ran a 4.5 40-yard dash and did 21 reps on the bench. He was drafted by the Broncos in the 7th round, but waived in the cut downs and placed on their Practice Squad.

The Jaguars signed David off the Broncos Practice Squad on October 9, 2018, and he appeared in six games. His most notable game was a loss to the Redskins on December 16th when he had 5 carries for 32 yards (6.4 ypc) including a 15-yard scamper. Reports about David from the Broncos suggest a between-the-tackles runner who is good in pass protection.

The following is David Williams career highlights with South Carolina and Arkansas (scroll to 1:13 to start watching)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk-BLSw99ig

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'02

Williams is a dark horse to make this team. Marrone spoke highly of him late last season, then gave him a handful of carries and special teams work. It's a good sign when your boss tells everyone he likes you then expands your role. I think our depth chart is going to look like this:
Fournette
Armstead
Williams
Cunningham

The logic in keeping Cunningham over Blue comes down to special teams. With Chark taking on an expanded role at receiver and no one else distinguishing themselves as a kickoff returner last season, the Jags need one. Cunningham has returned over 100 kickoffs in the NFL, and while he hasn't found the endzone, he has posted over 26 yards per return. Blue has returned one kickoff. For 13 yards. Assuming the Jaguars keep four running backs, Cunningham gets my nod as the fourth guy solely because of that. If Michael Walker (UDFA WR, return specialist in college) wins the kick return job, the situation for Cunningham and Blue would change. I still think Cunningham gets it based on special teams play.

You may notice I haven't mentioned Thomas Rawls. That's because he's done. Injuries have more than taken their toll, and he'll be lucky to survive the first cut. At this point, he's like a smaller, slower, less physical kid that wants to be Marshawn Lynch when he grows up.

The fullback position is a weird one. Coughlin is allergic to paying fullbacks, which is why Bohanon is gone. The question is whether the position as a whole is on its way out. John DeFillipo had a FB in Minnesota last year, and he barely trotted him out there. If anything, I think the selection of Josh Oliver is going to instantly strip any value Flowers might have had in the passing game. Unless Flowers is a special teams standout, the team will roll without a fullback next year. Oliver will fill the H-back role (the team's already said he's a move tight end), and if they need some extra beef in the backfield in front of Fournette, Koyack if he makes the team? If he doesn't, or hell, even if he does, throw Tyler Shatley back there and watch him smash any linebacker that gets in his face.

tl;dr, Williams makes the team, Cunningham over Blue, Rawls is done, I don't think the Jaguars carry a FB next year.

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Next, I might as well cover the RB we all know well...

#27 Leonard Fournette, LSU - 3rd-year player, 6-0, 228 lbs (223 lbs per a recent tweet),  24 years old, from New Orleans, LA (St. Augustine HS)

Fournette's fame has been building since his freshman year of high school, and you can find highlights of him from every season since. He accrued so many trophies throughout his years and he had 700 of them melted down and turned into weights which he donated to William M Raynes High School in Jacksonville. Watching his college highlights is enough to make any fan giddy with anticipation for what he might bring. Fournette's combination of size, power and speed is rare, and if you give him a chance to get going he's hard to bring down.

Wikipedia mentions that he draws comparisons to Herschel Walker and they're not kidding. I urge you to watch some of Fournette's college tape and then watch tape of Herschel from back in the day. The resemblance is uncanny. They look like the same guy. This isn't meant to suggest Fournette will be as great as Walker, but it's encouraging just knowing that they share a similar style when running downfield.

Fournette set LSU's rushing record after his 2015 sophomore season with 1953 rushing yards and 22 TDs. A high-ankle sprain in 2016 limited Fournette to less than 7 games as a junior. At his combine, Fournette ran a 4.5 40 at 240 lbs helping to solidify his selection by the Jaguars as the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft. Injuries held Fournette back in 2018, but he's returning healthy in 2019 along with key members of the offensive line. In addition to a team focussing on improving the run while also acquiring a top QB in Nick Foles to keep drives alive, I sense a renewed determination by Fournette to get back on track from where he left off as a rookie.

The following is Fournette's full rookie highlights with the Jaguars...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLc37GsSziA

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'02

Cunningham has returned over 100 kickoffs in the NFL, and while he hasn't found the endzone, he has posted over 26 yards per return.

Good point that I overlooked.

I guess between Cunningham and Blue it comes down to what you want more from your 3rd downs RB? Do you want a backup RB who can get you 500 rushing yards and a couple of TDs, or do you want a KR who can get you over 25 yards a return? I'm honestly leaning toward Blue here, but I can see arguments for either. This is sure to be a heated camp battle for one roster spot.

The next battle is the David Williams vs Thomas Rawls battle. I'm with you on David Williams winning this one, but maybe Rawls is more determined than we expect. May the best RB win, although you know if it's a tie... tiebreaker always goes to the younger guy when there's a significant difference.

I'm starting to think Armstead emerges as the #2 rather quickly, although I'm hoping the team works on feeding Fournette. When I watch his college and HS tape, what made him so great was a concentrated effort by their offensive coordinators to feed him the ball. If he gets enough carries, defenses will pay. 

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'02

Cunningham has returned over 100 kickoffs in the NFL, and while he hasn't found the endzone, he has posted over 26 yards per return.

Good point that I overlooked.

I guess between Cunningham and Blue it comes down to what you want more from your 3rd downs RB? Do you want a backup RB who can get you 500 rushing yards and a couple of TDs, or do you want a KR who can get you over 25 yards a return? I'm honestly leaning toward Blue here, but I can see arguments for either. This is sure to be a heated camp battle for one roster spot.

The next battle is the David Williams vs Thomas Rawls battle. I'm with you on David Williams winning this one, but maybe Rawls is more determined than we expect. May the best RB win, although you know if it's a tie... tiebreaker always goes to the younger guy when there's a significant difference.

I'm starting to think Armstead emerges as the #2 rather quickly, although I'm hoping the team works on feeding Fournette. When I watch his college and HS tape, what made him so great was a concentrated effort by their offensive coordinators to feed him the ball. If he gets enough carries, defenses will pay. 

I don't see Armstead as the clear-cut #2. For one, he still has to make the team. He's a fifth-round pick. Given the players around him, it's likely and virtually a lock if he shows anything on special teams at all, but he could still lose his spot to a determined Rawls late in the preseason. Regardless of who all makes the team, I think the depth chart looks like this:

1. Fournette

2. 

Long story short, Fournette had better stay healthy, because if we're stuck with a three-headed monster of Armstead, Cunningham and Williams, odds are that it'll be another long year.

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Of greater significance than Cunningham’s return experience is his skill as a third down back.
The bears used him effectively in that role. Great blocker and sure handed to slip out for a screen or swing pass.

In 2017 he caught 20 of 26 targets for 240 yds , two TDS , 12 yds per catch.
He’s not going to blow anyone a way but the dependability is there.

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Good point that I overlooked.

I guess between Cunningham and Blue it comes down to what you want more from your 3rd downs RB? Do you want a backup RB who can get you 500 rushing yards and a couple of TDs, or do you want a KR who can get you over 25 yards a return? I'm honestly leaning toward Blue here, but I can see arguments for either. This is sure to be a heated camp battle for one roster spot.

The next battle is the David Williams vs Thomas Rawls battle. I'm with you on David Williams winning this one, but maybe Rawls is more determined than we expect. May the best RB win, although you know if it's a tie... tiebreaker always goes to the younger guy when there's a significant difference.

I'm starting to think Armstead emerges as the #2 rather quickly, although I'm hoping the team works on feeding Fournette. When I watch his college and HS tape, what made him so great was a concentrated effort by their offensive coordinators to feed him the ball. If he gets enough carries, defenses will pay. 

I don't see Armstead as the clear-cut #2. For one, he still has to make the team. He's a fifth-round pick. Given the players around him, it's likely and virtually a lock if he shows anything on special teams at all, but he could still lose his spot to a determined Rawls late in the preseason. Regardless of who all makes the team, I think the depth chart looks like this:

1. Fournette

2. 

Long story short, Fournette had better stay healthy, because if we're stuck with a three-headed monster of Armstead, Cunningham and Williams, odds are that it'll be another long year.

I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by Armstead.

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Of greater significance than Cunningham’s return experience is his skill as a third down back.
The bears used him effectively in that role. Great blocker and sure handed to slip out for a screen or swing pass.

In 2017 he caught 20 of 26 targets for 240 yds , two TDS , 12 yds per catch.
He’s not going to blow anyone a way but the dependability is there.

This and the punt/kick returner comments got me thinking about Dave Meggett who was carried around by Bill Parcells to fulfill that same role. He was sure-handed and had a 10 year NFL career, mostly with Parcells as a Giant and a Patriot. Parcells even brought him to Dallas to work with the Cowboys punt/kick returners.

Parcells valued that one skill in his returners- sure handedness. I don't know if Meggett ever fumbled (over 10 years, he must have) but one of the top coaches of all time kept him in that role wherever he went. If Cunningham has the sure-handed gene, it gives him a leg up.

As an aside: I knew Meggett had some kind of legal trouble of a sexual nature after he retired but go read his Wiki page to see what he's done. He has 9 children and is currently in prison in South Carolina.

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Season Ticket holder since 2004.