10 Greatest Players in Jacksonville Jaguars History | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Fred Taylor was drafted ninth overall in the 1998 draft.

He started off with a bang for the Jaguars, rushing for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns, despite only starting 12 games. The Jaguars had finally found a legitimate rushing threat to go with their already potent passing game. 

Taylor was an extremely consistent runner for the Jaguars, notching seven 1,000-yard seasons in his 11-year career with them.

One issue Taylor had was with injuries. He followed his rookie season up with a sophomore campaign in which he missed six games due to injury and failed to hit 1,000 yards. He bounced back the next year with 1,399 yards but missed all but two games the following year. 

Taylor, ever the fighter, came back to have the best stretch of his career over the next three years. He posted 4,110 yards and 16 touchdowns between '02-'04. The best of those years came in 2003 when he rushed for a then team-record 1,572 yards. 

In 2005, Taylor was yet again hampered by injuries, missing five games and finishing under 1,000 yards. This prompted the Jaguars to draft Maurice Jones-Drew in the second round as insurance. Although it was clear MJD was Taylor's eventual successor, Taylor didn't let it slow him down, finishing his career off strong. 

With MJD, Taylor spearheaded a top-tier rushing attack in 2006 and 2007. During those two seasons, Taylor returned to form, posting back-to-back 1,100+ yard seasons. However, his role was reduced in 2008 and was released at the end of the season. 

Taylor finished his career with the Jaguars ranking first in yards (11,271) and second in touchdowns (62). Like so many others on this list, he was a quiet leader, never gaining the nationwide recognition he deserved, managing only one Pro Bowl appearance.

Taylor is the first player on this list who garners serious consideration when it comes to the Hall of Fame. His yardage total ranks 15th in league history, more than current Hall of Fame running backs O.J. Simpson and John Riggins. Taylor was one of the most important players in the franchise's history because, despite the injuries, he gave them a consistent threat in the running game for most of their existence.