Ole Miss’ Judkins: ‘Concern’ over RB deals in NFL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Be Miss sophomore working again Quinshon Judkinsthe SEC’s main rusher final yr, advised ESPN that the regular decline in worth of NFL contracts for working backs is “an enormous concern” for him as he seems towards the long run.

Curiosity within the subject heightened this week after a pair of the NFL’s finest working backs — New York Giants star Saquon Barkley and Las Vegas Raiders All-Professional Josh Jacobs — each failed to reach long-term deals with their respective groups `earlier than Monday’s deadline for franchise-tagged gamers.

“That is why I’ve improved my sport so far as exhibiting what I can do within the passing sport,” Judkins mentioned Thursday through the last day of SEC media days. “I’ve numerous receptions, numerous passing yards. I cannot solely be used within the backfield, however I can be used within the slot as effectively.

“So you’ll be able to put me all around the discipline it doesn’t matter what you want me to do as a playmaker. I feel that so far as the subsequent degree, the best way they’re doing these guys is as a result of I really feel like you’ll be able to solely achieve this a lot at that place due to the fellows who’re within the league and coping with these conditions.”

Barkley and Jacobs each would like long-term contracts to the one-year, $10.091 worth of the franchise tender for working backs, although neither can now negotiate a long-term deal till after the season.

Monday’s information prompted an outcry from fellow star working backs like Christian McCaffreywho known as the scenario “felony,” and Derrick Henrywho went as far as to counsel the NFL get rid of the working again place from the sport if it isn’t valued.

Judkins, who averaged 120.5 dashing yards per sport, turned the quickest true freshman within the SEC to succeed in 1,000 yards dashing since Florida’s Emmitt Smith did so in seven video games in 1987. Judkins mentioned he is working to showcase his versatility.

“I simply need to be seen as a man who can actually do all of it,” he mentioned. “You do not have to only run the ball with me, dashing. You should use me all around the discipline. I can throw the ball, catch it, no matter you want.

“I’ve seen the issues that they’ve finished with the working again place and the contracts and the issues within the NFL that the working backs are coping with.”

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin mentioned faculty soccer is a bit of totally different from the NFL as a result of the faculty coaches run the ball a bit of extra and do not have to fret concerning the gamers being 28 years outdated.

“I really feel like for probably the most half, the ability set is so distinctive,” Kiffin mentioned. “It is not like they are not getting paid in any respect [in the NFL]. We simply had a pair go excessive within the draft this yr. I do not suppose that might change that. I am extra fascinated with if do collectives begin to determine the worth of that?”