In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars took a running back out of UCLA that everyone deemed "too small". Maurice Jones-Drew was an electric player coming out of the Pac-10, but was often over shadowed by USC's Reggie Bush. Bush wound up the third overall pick in the draft to the New Orleans Saints, but so far... Jones-Drew has been by far the better player at the NFL level. Jones-Drew came into camp and right away charmed reporters with his quick wit and infectious smile.
Jones-Drew, while confident, knew his role on the team however and looked to then veteran running back Fred Taylor for guidance. Taylor took Jones-Drew under his wing and the two formed a dominant rushing attack for the next three seasons. In 2009, Jones-Drew lived up to the new contract the Jaguars handed him by rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns while being voted to his first Pro-Bowl. In the 2010 season, Jones-Drew followed it up with a 1,300 yard season and only 5 touchdowns, but once again was voted to the Pro-Bowl and was even considered in MVP talks, however far fetched they were. Jones-Drew did all of that in 2010 with an injured knee, as well.
For a running back who was deemed to small and bears the number 32 for the number of teams who passed on him, he's certainly played big. Jones-Drew is easily the 2nd best running back in franchise history, and he's only been a starter for two seasons.
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