The Jacksonville Jaguars have no shot at winning the AFC South if their defense is unable to stop the star running backs of the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. So it’s no surprise that, according to Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was a player at the forefront of the team’s mind when it reshaped the roster in the offseason.
“You have to start with your division and how your division is built,” Pederson said at a press conference Friday. “We’ve got some great running backs in this division, and obviously, stopping the run is imperative. It’s a key to winning football games in the AFC South, so it was a focal point in the spring, through free agency, and the draft to try to put some pieces in place to help slow down the run.
“[Taylor] is so powerful and strong, and he’s got a one-step move, and I think he’s got great vision, and the way they block, he’s really got the ability to wind the ball back behind B-blocks and stuff like that. Just a talented guy, and they do a great job of scheming the front that they’re playing, so it makes it hard. That’s why for us, it’s just maintaining discipline with your run lanes.”
Last season, Taylor had 193 rushing yards and a touchdown on 36 carries over two games against the Jaguars. Henry had 130 yards and three touchdowns in his only game against Jacksonville before an injury kept him out the latter half of the regular season.
In free agency, the Jaguars signed defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi and linebacker Foye Oluokun. Then in April, the team drafted outside linebacker Travon Walker, and inside linebackers Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma. In Week 1, the Washington Commanders rushed for 85 yards on 28 attempts.
Taylor started his season by running for 161 yards and a touchdown in a Week 1 tie with the Houston Texans.