JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected Alabama running back T.J. Yeldon with the 36th overall pick in the NFL draft.
After landing defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. with the third pick Thursday, the Jaguars turned their attention to the other side of the ball Friday.
General manager Dave Caldwell wanted to surround quarterback Blake Bortles with more talent. He failed to sign receiver Randall Cobb and running back DeMarco Murray in free agency, so it was no secret that he was looking for offensive playmakers in the second and third rounds.
The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Yeldon ran for 3,322 yards and 37 touchdowns in three seasons at Alabama.
The last time Jacksonville drafted a running back in the second round was in 2006, and Maurice Jones-Drew turned out to be one of the best players in franchise history.