The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken an unconventional approach to their offseason, and not everyone is impressed. While many analysts have pointed to the pass rush as the team's biggest hole, Pro Football Focus (PFF) believes the running back position is the more pressing concern.
After losing star back Travis Etienne to free agency, the Jaguars are left with a committee of unproven talent. Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez, and LeQuint Allen are currently slated to lead the backfield, with Ja'Quinden Jackson and DeeJay Dallas providing depth. For a team looking to compete, that room lacks the proven punch needed to move the chains consistently.
PFF's Bradley Locker didn't hold back in his assessment. "The Jaguars compiled an unconventional draft class, seemingly ignoring both consensus value as well as their overarching team needs," he wrote. "In particular, Jacksonville's running back room is the unit that may have suffered the most by not drafting an impact player." He added that offensive coordinator Liam Coen will likely rely on a "true committee approach" in 2026, but with three unproven names, the floor is dangerously low.
The good news? There's still time to fix it. Locker identified a prime target still available in free agency: former Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Chargers before an Achilles tear cut his campaign short in Week 3. But before the injury, Harris was playing at an elite level, posting a career-high 83.9 PFF rushing grade with 3.67 yards after contact per attempt.
Harris isn't just a one-year wonder. From 2022 to 2024, he consistently graded above 75.0 as a rusher and forced at least 51 missed tackles each season. For a Jaguars team in need of a proven workhorse, Harris could be the veteran presence that stabilizes the backfield and gives the offense a reliable option on early downs.
Whether Jacksonville pulls the trigger remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: if the Jaguars want to avoid a ground game that sputters, adding a player like Najee Harris makes a whole lot of sense.