5 Observations on the Jaguars' Running Back Group: Why Adrian Peterson Doesn't Make Sense

The Jacksonville Jaguars' running back unit has received a lot of attention from the football community in recent days, largely because of Monday's surprising release of former No. 4 overall pick Leonard Fournette.

Ever since Fournette was released, the question has been pondered who would take his place in the offense. Many (including myself) figured second-year running back Ryquell Armstead made the most sense to immediately replace Fournette, but a wrench has been thrown into that theory in the past week.

Armstead has missed every practice since he was held out of the team's scrimmage last Saturday. And on Friday, the team announced Armstead would be placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, marking the second time since Aug. 1 that Armstead had been placed on the list.

Being placed on the list does not necessarily mean a player has tested positive for COVID-19, of course, but it adds another layer to a running back room that already had plenty of questions about it.

So with almost one week left until the Jaguars take the field in Week 1, what is the state of the running back group? We give some of our takeaways here.

Jaguars likely knew Ryquell Armstead wasn't exactly ready even when Leonard Fournette was released

This point specifically needs to be made clear when it comes to Jacksonville's running back room: it isn't new for the 2020 Jaguars offense to not have Ryquell Armstead on the practice field. He was first on the Reserve/COVID-19 list from Aug. 2 to Aug. 20, and he has battled minor injuries throughout camp. Head coach Doug Marrone and running backs coach Terry Robiskie have even publically said in the last week that they haven't been able to see much of Armstead on the field.

Hence, Armstead going on the Reserve/COVID-19 list likely doesn't force any panic button to be hit within TIAA Bank Field. He was a question mark on Monday when they released Fournette, just as much as he is one today. The Fournette move sent shockwaves throughout the league, but Armstead was still looking to get on the field consistently even then. It is clear why Armstead being added to the list is noteworthy, but this doesn't exactly change things inside of Jacksonville right now -- at least not things which have developed in the past week or so.

A committee-style attack continues to make the most sense until a back establishes himself

This is another point that may not be exactly a new revelation, but it is still repeating. Armstead likely already was not factoring largely into the team's immediate plans due to his unavailability, but the Jaguars would likely be better off splitting carries among their backfield instead of labeling one back their lead back even in the event Armstead was on the practice field.

Devine Ozigbo and James Robinson make the most sense to handle the bulk of the carries outside of Armstead. Chris Thompson should be locked in as the team's third-down back, but Ozigbo and Robinson have such different skill sets that the Jaguars would be wise to give both a chance to prove they deserve the bulk of the carries. Jacksonville's running back room is thin right now, both in terms of depth and proven talent, so the only real way to find answers is by presenting opportunities.

It is to be determined how long Ryquell Armstead will even be out, but any time missed is critical

The last time Armstead was on the team's Reserve/COVID019 list, it spanned over two weeks. It is still to be determined how long he will be on the list this time, but players have been on the list for as short as a few days in some cases or as long as multiple weeks in others. It wouldn't be right or fair to make any assumptions on how long Armstead could be on the list, but it is still is worth noting the continued missed time.

"The Reserve/COVID-19 list is a new reserve category created by the NFL for a player who either tests positive for COVID-19 or who has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons," the Jaguars said in a statement regarding the COVID-19 list earlier this offseason. "Clubs are not permitted to comment on a player’s medical status other than referring to roster status. Clubs may not disclose whether the player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.

Considering the Jaguars are in a new offensive scheme under Jay Gruden, and in an already severely altered training camp, then it would be vital for any of the team's running backs to be on the practice field as much as possible before Week 1. Armstead hasn't been able to do so thus far, and any continued missed time should be monitored.

A few running backs the Jaguars could look at on the waiver wire or in free agency -- and one they shouldn't

If the Jaguars want to find a running back on the waiver wire or in free agency over the next few days, they would likely want to find a back who has the potential to contribute on all three downs, which head coach Doug Marrone has noted the team values highly.

Former Washington running back Adrian Peterson is now available and some have connected him to the Jaguars due to the presence of Gruden, but it wouldn't make much sense for the Jaguars to add him. If they didn't think Fournette's skill set fits their offense, there is no reason to think Peterson's would. It would simply be a step-back from Fournette and a largely illogical move, especially considering Gruden has said himself in the past that Peterson isn't a back for all three downs. If Jacksonville wanted a ground-and-pound runner who had limited passing-game value, they could have simply kept Fournette. Instead, it would be more logical for the Jaguars to find a running back who is more dissimilar from Fournette than Peterson is.

So, which running backs would make sense if they are waived, or if they are available now? Here are a few who stand out.

If either Royce Freeman (Broncos) or Wendell Smallwood (Steelers) are waived/released, each makes sense for the Jaguars. Freeman caught 43 passes last year and fits the Jaguars mold of running backs, while Smallwood played for Gruden in Washington last season. Recently released Buccaneers running back Dare Ogunbowale, who caught 35 passes last season, is another younger option with NFL experience and special teams value.

The decision to not draft a running back will likely loom all season

Jacksonville opted to not draft a running back with any of their 12 picks this past April, instead opting to move forward with Fournette, Ozigbo and Armstead -- at least at the time. It is now clear the Jaguars had no intent on keeping Fournette entering the 2020 season, which raises the question of whether they made the proper move to not draft a running back.

Now, one could argue Robinson could almost count as a draft pick since he is a rookie who has a solid chance to make the roster. But the Jaguars still went 12 picks without adding to the room even though they knew their options were likely going to be scarce once September rolled around. It is fair for the Jaguars to see what they had in Armstead and Ozigbo, especially considering they had just spent a draft pick on Armstead in 2019, but electing to not add anyone to the room was a roll of the dice at the time and will likely be pondered throughout the rest of this season.

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