Jacksonville is one of those teams that has so much young talent, it's hard to peg a potential breakout candidate. We all know what Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Julius Thomas can do in the passing game, and the running game seems set with Chris Ivory joining T.J. Yeldon in the new-look backfield. I guess I could write about Marqise Lee, but the Albino Tiger seems to be underwhelming once again this summer.
So who is Corey Grant? He's an undrafted rookie speedster out of Auburn who has presumably locked down the job as a kick returner, and whose 4.28 speed has been on display out of the backfield as well.
Grant was a sparingly used player in Auburn's spread attack, using his speed to generate big plays on the edge. But the Jaguars seem convinced that he is capable of more, and his ability on special teams allows him to stick on the roster while they continue to develop his ability as a runner and a receiver. Athletically, there is a ton to love about this kid, and he compares favorably to some of the most explosive backs to enter the NFL in the past decade:
| Name | Hght | Wght | 40 yd | Bnch | Vert | Broad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatum Bell | 5' 11" | 212 | 4.37 | 25 | 38½" | 117" |
| Lamar Miller | 5' 11" | 212 | 4.4 | 33" | 120" | |
| Jerick McKinnon | 5' 9" | 209 | 4.41 | 32 | 40½" | 132" |
| Felix Jones | 5' 10" | 207 | 4.44 | 13 | 33½" | 124" |
| David Wilson | 5' 10" | 206 | 4.49 | 41" | 132" | |
| Corey Grant | 5' 11" | 205 | 4.28 | 22 | 37" | 127" |
| Jamaal Charles | 5' 11" | 200 | 4.38 | 30½" | 122" | |
| Jahvid Best | 5' 10" | 199 | 4.34 | 18 | 32½" | 113" |
| Chris Johnson | 5' 11" | 197 | 4.24 | 35" | 130" | |
| C.J. Spiller | 5' 11" | 196 | 4.27 | 18 | 36" | 126" |
While there is more to becoming an elite back than simply speed and athleticism, you can't coach the traits Corey Grant has, which is a big reason why he was being singled out by the staff in Jacksonville.
At Auburn, he ran for 1,040 yards and 9 touchdowns on just 135 carries (7.7 yards per carry). But he was buried on depth charts behind Tre Mason and Cameron Artis-Payne. While his agility and between-the-tackles talent is still an unknown, and he has struggled mightily in his limited work the past two seasons, his big play ability is enticing, and it appears the Jaguars have taken notice.
The Opportunity
In the short term, there isn't an opportunity for Grant to make an impact in this backfield. As a rookie, Yeldon had a modest season, totaling 740 rushing yards on 4.1 yards per carry but scoring just 2 touchdowns. So the team added Ivory to give the team a more physical back, especially in the red zone. Both are capable receivers and proven runners, although injuries have cost both plenty of time over their careers.
Still, Grant is as deep a profile as we will do, and shouldn't be on any fantasy rosters at this point. Step one for him will be making the team as a special teams player. If he can continue to impress with his explosiveness in that phase of the game, don't be surprised if the team gives him additional looks on offense on gadget type of plays, where they can put his speed and explosiveness in space on display.
Neither Yeldon or Ivory are at risk of losing their jobs, so injury is the only factor that can get Grant on the field. His speed does add an element to this backfield that the team doesn't have in its co-starters, but that won't be enough to get him on the field any time soon. Still, remember the name if either player goes down with an injury in 2016. You can't teach speed, and Grant has plenty of it.