2024 Free Agency: 5 Running Backs Who Make Sense For the Jaguars

With only two running backs on the roster, are there any free agents who make sense for the Jaguars to pursue?

Unlike seemingly just a year ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a host of needs ahead of free agency officially opening on March 13. And soon, we will know exactly how they are set to address them.

If the Jaguars want to get back to the playoffs and the top of the AFC South, it will take pushing all of the right buttons this offseason and improving the roster through both the draft and free agency.

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Next up: the running back position.

D'Ernest Johnson 

This one is obvious. D'Ernest Johnson was a solid free-agent addition last offseason, stepping in and winning the No. 3 job in camp and then leaping Tank Bigsby on the depth chart. The lack of run-blocking limited him in the same way it limited Travis Etienne so the rushing numbers aren't great, but Johnson was the team's best pass-protector at the position a year ago, has special teams value, and can be the type zone-running back the Jaguars have valued since Doug Pederson arrived. 

The Jaguars need to get Tank Bigsby on the right track in 2024 and that will likely take precedence over the No. 3 running back spot, but bringing Johnson back makes a lot of sense from a fit and insurance perspective. He isn't a star, but he is a good fit for what they need at the position.

Rico Dowdle  

When it comes to the No. 3 running back role, the Jaguars will need to place an emphasis on special teams. That won't be a role for Travis Etienne, obviously, and Bigsby will obviously likely see a bigger role on offense than on special teams. And in the case of Rico Dowdle, special teams is an obvious plus. 

Whether as a kick returner -- which could be a need if the Jaguars don't re-sign Jamal Agnew -- or on kick coverage, Dowdle has the experience and production with the Dallas Cowboys to make him a potential target. Dowdle also averaged 4.8 yards per touch on 106 touches last season, showing some value on offense.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire 

This one may seem like an odd fit, but bear in mind where Clyde Edwards-Helaire has spent his first few seasons. He offers zero special teams value, which would obviously ding him, but he has found a role in Andy Reid's offense even after losing the starting role. 

Edwards-Helaire would fit the Jaguars' running scheme and overall philosophies on offense -- many of which are shared by Reid -- and could be a third-down back after 89 catches for 765 yards and seven receiving touchdowns with the Chiefs in his career.

DeeJay Dallas 

One of the more underrated backup running backs in the NFL, DeeJay Dallas will likely provide much more value than whatever contract number he signs for would indicate. Dallas has been a special teams ace for the Seahawks over the last several seasons and has value in the passing game with 61 catches as a backup running back. 

Dallas has already shown he can be a high-level No. 3 and in many ways could be a similar level player and impact to D'Ernest Johnson. If the Jaguars need him to be just a No. 3, he can do that. If they want him to be a No. 2 in the event Bigsby doesn't develop, then he can do that too,

Jerick McKinnon

Set to be 32 by Week 1, Jerick McKinnon's days at the top of a depth chart are obviously behind him. But like Edwards-Helaire, McKinnon played in a similar offense to Jacksonville's while in Kansas City. Reid and Doug Pederson deploy the running back position in similar ways, and we already know what McKinnon can do in this offense.