2015 NFL mock draft: Jay Ajayi to Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 36

Picking for the Jaguars in our 2015 NFL mock draft, Alfie Crow of Big Cat Country set out to replace Jones-Drew with a dynamic, three-down back, and to help the Jaguars better run the football in the second year of the Bortles era.

Crow: Having picked up a pure pass-rusher with the No. 3 overall pick and being wedged between where the runs on running back are likely to go this year in the draft, the Jaguars reach a bit for Boise State running back Jay Ajayi, but it’s an affordable reach because you’re getting a day-one starter at the running back position.

The Jaguars have struggled to run the football the past two seasons, in part because the offensive line has been in shambles, and in part because they just haven’t had a bell cow at the position and platooning hasn’t worked. Ajayi gives the Jaguars that bell cow-type of back, who’s also versatile in the passing game. He’s not a burner, but Ajayi has enough speed to do damage at the second level and get to the edge on wide plays and sweeps. His running style is similar to that of Marshawn Lynch, and while he probably won’t be Lynch, that’s the kind of back the Jaguars have needed since the decline of Maurice Jones-Drew.

Dan Kadar, SBNation.com: There might not be a lot of perceived value in taking a running back early. There is a lot of value in getting a starter. The Jaguars need a starter at the position, and Ajayi is properly suited to be a good three-down player. Like most college running backs, he does need to get better as a pass-blocker. But he’s otherwise a complete player. Ajayi does get some Lynch comparisons, but he just might be the next Matt Forte.

SB Nation presents: Where Jay Ajayi ranks among running backs in the draft