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Jaguars undrafted rookie off to 'good start' heading into training camp
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- Jaguars undrafted rookie off to 'good start' heading into training camp
One Jacksonville Jaguars undrafted rookie is off to a "good start" following offseason programs.
John Shipley of Jaguars on SI recently highlighted four undrafted rookies to watch during training camp. The first player listed was running back J'Mari Taylor.
"Taylor got off to a good start this offseason, and he is one to watch next month," Shipley wrote.
Shipley then provided additional context, mentioning that it can be difficult to evaluate running back play when the pads aren't yet on.
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Once in pads, that is where Taylor believes he can begin differentiating himself.
"First day putting on pads, man, turning into a different animal," Taylor said, via Jamal St. Cyr . "Guys, they watch me on film; they want to see what I put on film in college and bring it out here. It's all competitive because we all got to do our 1/11th. Of course we all a team, but may the best man win."
Taylor put together a productive 2025 season in the ACC, rushing for 1,064 yards at 4.8 yards per attempt. He proved to be quite difficult to bring down, which is why playing in pads could allow him to differentiate himself.
Among eligible running backs last season, Taylor ranked 38th in average yards after contact and tied for 18th in missed tackles forced, per PFF .
Taylor was also active in the passing game at Virginia, an important element to playing running back in Liam Coen's offense.
The challenge for Taylor is that the top three spots on the running back depth chart are already accounted for by Bhayshul Tuten , Chris Rodriguez , and LeQuint Allen . Most teams typically don't roster a fourth running back, although the Jaguars did do that for much of last season.
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Also on the roster are veterans DeeJay Dallas and Ameer Abdullah .
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars undrafted rookie off to 'good start' heading into training camp
