Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke continued an absolutely unbelievable trend with their selection in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Friday night.
The Jaguars seemingly have their franchise running back in former Clemson star Travis Etienne. However, Baalke couldn’t help himself, adding another running back to the mix in Jacksonville.
With the No. 88 pick, the Jaguars selected Auburn star running back Tank Bigsby.
With the 88th pick in the 2023 #NFLDraft, we select Auburn RB Tank Bigsby!@tank_bigsby | @Dream_Finders pic.twitter.com/SR6YPKn8S9
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 29, 2023
This pick by Baalke continues a ridiculous trend of him taking running backs in the NFL Draft. In fact, he has selected a running back every season that he has been a general manager in the NFL. This includes his time with the Jaguars from 2021-2023 and dates all the way back to his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2016.
Jaguars used their third-round pick on Auburn RB Tank Bigsby, which should come as no surprise. Jaguars’ GM Trent Baalke now has drafted a running back in every single year he has been a GM (49ers 2011-2016, Jaguars 2021-2023).
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 29, 2023
Many Jaguars fans didn’t love the pick, believing that the team had needs that were far more pressing in this spot.
Do they know they can draft defensive players too??
— Noah PhD. (@RowellNoah) April 29, 2023
Can he rush the passer?
— Mancuso (@dan_mancuso) April 29, 2023
I just…. No defense picks??? Seriously?? 😣😣😣 https://t.co/Cw8mh4QFWe
— QueenSnipes94 🌈🎮 (@MSwat94) April 29, 2023
There are obviously critics of the selection, but Bigsby was a very productive player on a disappointing Auburn team. He ran for 970 yards to go along with 10 rushing touchdowns last season.
As stated before, Baalke was a product of the 49ers’ system, which typically involves a number of running backs in their offensive system. Bigbsy will be a nice complementary piece alongside Etienne.
That being said, Jaguars fans clearly feel like Baalke’s love for the running back position should have gone into other positions that they may need more.
[Jacksonville Jaguars on Twitter, Adam Schefter on Twitter]
