Back in 1995, the first USB device was introduced by Intel, allowing people to store and access data more efficiently. At the same time as that invention, the Jacksonville Jaguars became an expansion franchise in the NFL.
Throughout the team's first 25 years of existence, they've had plenty of successful seasons despite not winning a Super Bowl. On the other hand, they've also fielded a ton of talented players on their roster over the years.
Heading into the 2020 season, Jacksonville is projected to be one of the teams competing for the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. But instead of focusing on the negatives of the current team, this is as good a time as any to highlight the best Jaguars players of all time.
5. Mark Brunell
When the Jaguars became an NFL franchise in 1995, the first quarterback to start for them was Mark Brunell. Brunell, who was a fifth-round pick for the Green Bay Packers in 1993, hadn't made a single start in his first two seasons in the NFL.
Nonetheless, Brunell received an opportunity to show his worth upon being named the starter in Jacksonville. Despite playing behind a mediocre offensive line, Brunell would put together a decent career with the Jaguars.
Altogether, the left-handed quarterback would throw for 25,698 yards, 144 touchdowns, and 86 interceptions in nine seasons with the Jaguars. His 25,968 passing yards and 144 passing touchdowns are still the most in Jacksonville's team history.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew
Over the past 25 seasons, the Jaguars have deployed quite a few formidable running backs in their backfield. Even though his time in Jacksonville is likely nearing an end soon, Leonard Fournette has already cemented himself as the fourth all-time leading rusher for the Jaguars.
However, before Fournette even began playing college football at LSU, Jacksonville had Maurice Jones-Drew carrying the workload. The Jaguars would select Jones-Drew in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
The former second-round pick out of UCLA would spend eight seasons with the Jaguars, rushing for 8,071 yards (second-most in Jaguars history) and 68 touchdowns. In addition to his rushing numbers, Jones-Drew would make three Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro First Team member in his career.
3. Jimmy Smith
Similar to running back, the Jaguars have done a formidable job at finding reliable wide receivers, whether it be through free agency or the draft. While the team signed Brunell to be the starting quarterback in 1995, Jacksonville added Jimmy Smith to become a valuable piece for the offense.
After a disappointing campaign with the Jaguars in 1995, Smith evolved into a consistent option for the Jaguars. The Jackson State product would play 11 seasons in Jacksonville, scratching his name into the franchise's record books.
In his decade-plus with the Jaguars, Smith combined for 862 receptions, 12,287 yards, and 67 touchdowns. Most impressively, after failing to log a single stat in his two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Smith had nine 1,000-yard seasons in Jacksonville.
2. Tony Boselli
Heading into the 1995 NFL Draft, the Jaguars were faced with a ton of pressure due to it being the first draft they ever took part in. Fast forward to now and it's safe to say that Jacksonville nailed their first draft pick in team history.
With the No. 2 pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, the Jaguars took Tony Boselli, a left tackle out of USC. From the moment he stepped foot on the field, it was apparent that Boselli would be a mainstay on the team's offensive line.
The former Trojan would spend seven years with Jacksonville before injuries took a toll on his career. Boselli would start in 90 games in his career, selected to five Pro Bowls, and he received three All-Pro honors. Even though he had a shortened career, most believe Boselli will someday make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Fred Taylor
Last but not least, the Jaguars once had one of the most underrated running backs in NFL history on their roster. Just a few years after their inception, Jacksonville would take Fred Taylor with the No. 9 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.
Following a stellar senior season at Florida, Taylor didn't have to go far to begin his career in the NFL. The former first-round pick gained 11,271 yards on the ground and contribute 62 rushing touchdowns in 11 seasons with the Jaguars.
Along with being Jacksonville's all-time leading rusher, Taylor is No. 17 on the NFL's all-time rushing list. Even when Jacksonville had trouble winning games, Taylor was one of the most productive running backs in NFL history.
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