It was a little surprising that T.J. Yeldon was the draft's third running back chosen, taken 20-25 picks after Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon, and at 36 nearly 20 picks before the next running back went off the board. But the Jaguars evidently like his all-around game, and he has to be considered the favorite to lead the team in carries this year.
This article at Jaguars.com looks at the top position battles for the team, with the most interesting fantasy one at running back. It makes Yeldon the favorite to start and be featured, but points out that Denard Robinson flashed at times last season. Toby Gerhart it envisions in a third-down, receiving back role.
We're a little cool on Yeldon. He doesn't seem especially talented, running a 4.61 at the combine, and Jacksonville looks like it will have a lesser offensive line. There's also the fact that Blake Bortles needs to prove himself as a starting quarterback before anyone need fear the running game; the other top rookie running backs are going to situations with more accomplished quarterbacks.
Then again, situation counts for a lot. Ameer Abdullah needs to get by Joique Bell and Theo Riddick, Todd Gurley needs to get by Tre Mason. Gerhart flopped with the Jaguars last year, and if the team had any intention of going with Robinson as their lead running back, they probably wouldn't have selected Yeldon just four picks into the second round.
Early reports on the rookie have been positive, and this is a team that wants to run the ball. It will be interesting to see how Yeldon looks in training camp and when the exhibition games start.
--Andy Richardson
