The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Tank Bigsby in the third round last year to take some of the weight off Travis Etienne's shoulders. That didn't happen, with Bigsby toting the rock just 50 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
Running backs coach Jerry Mack sees Bigsby as a player who can see drastic improvement entering Year 2.
"He [had] an opportunity to kind of sit back last year, see exactly what this league is all about," Mack said this offseason, via The Florida Times-Union. "And he's been great so far this offseason, just the way he's attacked every single day."
By the end of the season, Bigsby was essentially out of the rotation. In three of Jacksonville's final six games, he didn't see a carry, and it took a shutout blowout of Carolina in Week 17 for him to get 20% of his season carries (10).
Mack believes that a full offseason has allowed Bigsby to grow into a more confident player.
"I think when you first start, it's about confidence. And I think he lacked some of the confidence because of the struggles that he had last year," Mack said. "He came in this offseason with a revitalized type of attitude and his mindset is totally different. He wants to be great. He wants to be successful."
Not only has Bigsby's confidence increased, per Mack, but the RB coach believes he's better immersed in the entire offense.
"Just a refocus. I think he understood last year, being new to the National Football League, everything was extremely fast for him," Mack said. "I think now things are starting to slow down for him. He understands his role in this offense. He's understanding the ins and outs of the offense a lot better as well."
Etienne rushed 267 times last season, and no other back on the club surpassed 50 totes. The ground game in Jacksonville tailed off for stretches.
The Jags enter 2024 hoping to find more consistency on the ground, with improved blocking and more commitment to rushing. If Bigsby can prove capable of handling some of the load, spelling Etienne, it would make it much easier for Doug Pederson to stick with the rushing attack.
