There were 16 running backs selected in last week’s NFL Draft over seven rounds, including Florida State’s Cam Akers going to the Los Angeles Rams in the second round.
But the Jaguars didn’t make a selection despite that the position appears to be a roster need because of Leonard Fournette’s uncertain future with the franchise.
During the draft, the Jaguars did reportedly reach out to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of their No. 76 overall pick in the third round to offer Fournette in a trade deal. Tampa Bay declined the offer and selected former Vanderbilt running back Ke’ Shawn Vaughn.
It’s not likely to be the Jaguars’ final attempt to move Fournette in a trade deal.
And it’s not lost on Fournette that he’s no longer in the Jaguars’ long-term plans despite that he was a fourth overall pick in 2017 and has rushed for 2,631 yards and scored 17 touchdowns over the past three seasons.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I promise that every day I’m going to bust my …,” Fournette wrote on his Twitter account Tuesday. “I know it’s a business, and I’ll be ready at my best for the next season.”
Caldwell gave an emphatic ‘no’ response on if they have had a conversation with Fournette’s agent about him returning next season.
Caldwell admitted this past Friday that he was on the phone trying to negotiate a trade deal on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. A deal couldn’t get done, though.
Caldwell did not say what team he was negotiating with, nor did he disclose any specifics of the proposed trade offer.
Caldwell said they select a running back in the draft because he didn’t think there was an available prospect between fourth and fifth rounds better than what they already have as backups with Ryquell Armstead and Devine Ozigbo.
A fifth-round pick out of Temple in 2019, Armstead finished behind Fournette (1,152 yards), and quarterback Garder Minshew (344 yards) in rushing with 108 yards on just 35 carries in 16 games last season.
The Jaguars claimed Ozigbo off waivers from the New Orleans Saints last September. He played in nine games Jaguars and rushed for 27 yards on nine carries last season.
?I think maybe it’s misunderstood how we feel about the other guys we have in our room besides Leonard,? Caldwell said. ?Roc and Devine, we have those two guys that we like.?
After Day 2 of the draft on Friday, Caldwell said he didn’t have a whole lot to add regarding multiple reports that Fournette was actively on the trade market.
?I don’t think there is any news there,? Caldwell said.
The Jaguars have until May 4 to exercise the fifth-year option on Fournette’s contract, which is $10.1 million.
If they don’t exercise the option, Fournette would be playing in the final year of his rookie four-year, $27.1 million contract.
?When you sign for that money remember you don’t owe nobody nothing, most of them wasn’t with you 5 or 6 in the morning working your … off,? Fournette wrote on Twitter.
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