DARE OGUNBOWALE RETURNS, PRE-DRAFT PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED

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The Jaguars reinforced their backfield and special teams units on Monday. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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Pre-Draft Press Conference

With nine days left until the draft, speculation is heating up about what the Jaguars will do with the first overall pick. Wait, no, it's not. The Jaguars will take Trevor Lawrence with pick number one in the 2021 NFL Draft. But they have ten more picks after that, including #25 overall in the first round, #33 overall and #45 overall in the second round, #65 overall in the third round, and six picks from rounds four through seven. All the prognosticating about what the Jaguars will do in the draft starts with that 25th overall pick. 

On Wednesday, April 21st at 1 pm EST, Jaguars' head coach Urban Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke will meet with the media for their pre-draft press conference. There are a bevy of critical questions to be asked and answered (hopefully). Will the Jaguars draft BPA? Do they prescribe to modern thoughts on positional value? Which needs MUST they address in the draft? I'll be covering the press conference on Twitter if you'd like to follow along. You can watch the press conference live on Jaguars.com and the teams' social channels.

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Dare Ogunbowale

The Jaguars re-signed exclusive rights free agent running back Dare Ogunbowale on Monday. The 27-year-old runner originally signed with the Jaguars just before the start of the 2020 regular season after being waived by the Buccaneers.

Ogunbowale signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent in 2017, primarily playing special teams until he was given a bigger opportunity on offense in 2019. Even in 2019, he only carried the ball 11 times, but he became a factor in the passing game, catching 35 passes for 286 yards. 

After signing with the Jags, Ogunbowale contributed on special teams, registering ten total tackles. But when injuries struck the running back room, he was forced into action as the Jaguars' starting running back for the final two games of the 2020 season. He performed admirably, carrying the ball 28 times for 121 yards and adding seven catches. He showed off some shiftiness and determination with the ball in his hands.  

Ogunbowale's new contract is one year, $850,000. He will compete to make the team as a third-down back and core special teamer. The Jaguars may still add a change of pace back or younger complement to starter James Robinson in the draft. 

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