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Jaguars post-free agency position review: Running backs
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- Jaguars post-free agency position review: Running backs
With NFL free agency at a near standstill, we will be evaluating the current state of each Jacksonville Jaguars' position group, specifically, where things stand and whether or not more moves need to be made.
Compared to the rest of the league, it's been a very quiet free agency period for the Jaguars . GM James Gladstone recently explained the reason behind that, and it has to do with the 2027 compensatory draft picks the Jaguars are projected to land. I would also guess that the Jaguars' tight salary cap situation isn't helping things either in that regard.
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So the best avenue for addressing their remaining needs likely comes in the NFL draft, where the Jaguars have 11 picks -- including four in the top 100 -- and flexibility , allowing the board to dictate which direction they go at each selection.
Up first in our review are the running backs. If you missed our quarterbacks review, you can find that here .
Jaguars ' running backs under contract after free agency
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Ja'Quinden Jackson
Jaguars free agency moves at running back
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Jaguars' free agent running back Travis Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million deal to join the New Orleans Saints .
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Jacksonville signed free agent running back Chris Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $10 million .
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Jaguars re-signed DeeJay Dallas.
What is the need at running back for the Jaguars after free agency?
Etienne rushed for over 1,100 yards last season and scored 14 total touchdowns. That production will now have to be replaced. However, Gladstone prepared for this moment, drafting Tuten and Allen last April.
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The addition of Rodriguez also adds experience to this position group, not to mention that he has proven to be a very difficult back to bring down, ranking eighth last season in PFF's average yards after contact metric.
Rodriguez could shoulder the running back workload with Tuten, while Allen can continue to see the field during passing downs.
Although the Jaguars lost Etienne, adding Rodriguez makes the running back room pretty well set. With five running backs on the roster, another addition is not needed, although I suppose we can't rule out Gladstone taking a swing on a late Day 3 draft prospect or UDFA with upside that the team wants to try to develop.
Having a first-year running back with upside on the back end of the training camp roster could be more appealing than keeping Dallas, a veteran who may not make the 53-man roster anyway.
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This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL free agency: Evaluating Jaguars' need at running back
