Five running backs who make sense for the Jaguars in 2024 free agency

Five running backs who make sense for the Jaguars in 2024 free agency

 

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a number of needs before free agency officially opens on March 13, which is different from what it seemed like only a year ago.

 

And we’ll soon be aware of their precise approach to dealing with them. It will take pushing all the right buttons this offseason and strengthening the roster through both the draft and free agency if the Jaguars want to return to the postseason and the top of the AFC South.

 

Five Centers Who Make Sense for the Jaguars in 2024’s Free Agency The running back position is up next. DEREST JOHNSON This one should go without saying. Last offseason, D’Ernest Johnson emerged as a reliable free agent signing, surpassing Tank Bigsby in the depth chart after taking over and winning the No. 3 position in camp. The rushing totals aren’t great because Johnson was the team’s best pass-protector at the position a year ago, but he has special teams value and has the potential to be the kind of zone-running back the Jaguars have valued since Doug Pederson arrived.

 

However, the lack of run-blocking limited him in the same way that it limited Travis Etienne. Moving forward, the Jaguars’ top priority will probably be to get Tank Bigsby back on track in 2024. That being said, it makes a lot of sense to bring Johnson back as insurance.

 

Although he is not a star, he fits the requirements for the role well. RICCO DOWDLE The Jaguars must prioritize special teams when it comes to the No. 3 running back position. Naturally, Travis Etienne won’t play that, and Bigsby will most likely get more action on offense than on special teams. Additionally, Rico Dowdle clearly benefits from special teams. With his track record and output with the Dallas Cowboys, Dowdle is a viable option for the Jaguars, whether they need him as a kick returner (which may become necessary if they decide not to re-sign Jamal Agnew) or in kick coverage.

 

During the previous season, Dowdle also averaged 4.8 yards per touch on 106 touches, indicating some offensive potential. EDWARDS, CLYDE HELAIRE Considering where Clyde Edwards-Helaire has spent his first several seasons, this one could seem like a strange choice. Even though he lost his starting position, he still finds a place in Andy Reid’s offense despite his zero special teams worth. After 89 catches for 765 yards and seven receiving touchdowns with the Chiefs in his career, Edwards-Helaire might be a third-down back for the Jaguars. He would fit in with the team’s offensive philosophy and running system, many of which are similar to Reid’s.

 

DEEJAY DALLAS DeeJay Dallas, one of the NFL’s more underappreciated backup running backs, will probably be worth far more than the contract he signs. Dallas, who has 61 receptions as a backup running back, is valuable in the passing game and has been a Seahawks special teams ace for the past few seasons. Dallas has already demonstrated his ability to play at a high level as a No. 3, and he may have an effect and play a comparable level to D’Ernest Johnson in many aspects. He can play as a No. 3 if that’s all the Jaguars need him to be. He can also play as the No. 2 if that is what they want in case Bigsby doesn’t improve.

 

JERICK MCKINNON Jerick McKinnon’s days at the top of a depth chart are clearly over, as he will be 32 by Week 1. However, McKinnon, like Edwards-Helaire, was a member of a Kansas City offense like to Jacksonville’s. Similar strategies are used by Reid and Doug Pederson when using the running back position, and we already know how effective McKinnon can be in this scheme.