Dual-threat standout J’Mari Taylor brings back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to Jacksonville. The former Cavalier's versatile skill set and scoring abilities make him a potential steal in a crowded backfield.
After adding 10 new players through the 2026 NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars acquired an additional 16 undrafted free agents, with 10 on offense and six on defense.
On Saturday, The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner listed the best free-agent signing for each team, with Virginia RB J'Mari Taylor his choice for Jacksonville.
"The 5-foot-9, 199-pounder put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Virginia and North Carolina Central, with a combined 29 touchdowns in that span," Baumgardner wrote. "He’s a small, patient runner between the tackles and a legit receiving threat -- Taylor had 98 catches for 982 yards and 10 TDs in college."
Taylor is coming off of a first-team All-ACC selection after helping lead the Cavaliers to an impressive 11-win season and an ACC Championship game berth.
The 5-foot-10 tailback ran for 1,062 yards and 14 touchdowns, and had 43 catches for 253 yards and a receiving TD.
Taylor was dominant against conference opponents all season, recording three games of 100-plus rushing yards in ACC play.
His best performance came in Week 2, as Taylor exploded for 150 yards and three rushing touchdowns against NC State, including a 66-yard blur in the third quarter.
Despite the 35-31 loss, Taylor put himself on the map as a bona fide starting running back early in his first season at the Power-Four level.
Three weeks later, Taylor collected 99 yards and a score against then eighth-ranked Florida State, helping Virginia pick up a huge upset win and enter the AP Top 25.
Taylor played his first four college seasons at North Carolina Central, developing into a Walter Payton Award finalist in 2024.
The first-team All-MEAC performer earned this designation after rushing for 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns, capping off an impressive tenure with the Eagles.
In Jacksonville, Taylor has an uphill battle to earn reps in a congested backfield with young talent looking to establish themselves as the RB1 going forward.
Of course, the Jaguars will be without the steady presence of Travis Etienne after his departure in free agency, and are looking for their starter.
Second-year tailback Bhayshul Tuten seems like the leading option to take the majority of the RB1 snaps, but Chris Rodriguez Jr. will likely share the workload.
Nevertheless, getting a player like Taylor as an UDFA is a steal, as the former Cavalier was projected to be a fifth-rounder, according to NFL.com.
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