2023 NFL Draft: Why the Jaguars Drafted Tank Bigsby
Anyone following the Jacksonville Jaguars' draft process even casually knew that at some point last week, they were going to select a running back.
Head coach Doug Pederson emphasized all offseason the importance of a deep running back room, and the Jaguars did homework on the running back position almost more than any other group.
That led the Jaguars to Auburn's Tank Bigsby, their third-round selection at No. 88 overall and someone they hope can complete their vision of a balanced offense.
"We felt at that point in time what he brings to the table, his physicality, the way he runs between the tackles, it was something that we needed to add to the rotation," Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said.
"It's going to be, like coach said, great competition. You got a room with guys that got to now go earn it. That never hurts. Iron sharpens iron."
A four-star recruit who was the No. 4 running back in the 2020 recruiting class behind just Bijan Robinson, Zach Evans and Demarckus Bowman, Bigsby was named the SEC Freshman of the year in 2020 after he appeared in 10 games and carried the ball 138 times for 834 yards and five touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry.
Bigsby started 13 games in 2021, averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 223 carries, recording 1,099 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with 21 catches for 184 yards.
Bigsby returned as a starter in 2022, starting 11 games and leading Auburn in rushing with 970 yards, 5.4 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns.
Bigsby now gives the Jaguars a crowded running back room, joining 2021 first-round pick and 1,000-yard rusher Travis Etienne, JaMycal Hasty, Snoop Conner, and D'Ernest Johnson.
"I feel really good about that room. There's a lot of depth there. There's some great competition that's going to show up when we get into training camp obviously with pads on, really see how these guys do," Pederson said.
"We understand even with Snoop (RB Snoop Conner), a big opportunity for him this year to take a step forward and grow, see where he's at as a pro. Again, it's one of our stronger rooms, obviously, on the team. I'm excited about that. The type of person that Tank (RB Tank Bigsby) is, he's another one that we met at the Combine. Just love the way he runs. He's a smart guy. He understands fronts, defense, knows what he's looking at. He's a smart runner. Just have to get him in here and get him started."
