Should Jacksonville Jaguars pass up RB Kenyan Drake in free agency?

Running back James Robinson should pick up where he left off at the end of his successful rookie sesason. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars need to keep him fresh if they want to maximize his performance in 2021. They need to get him a capable back this offseason and if they want to sign one in free agency, they will have a wide variety of options, including Kenyan Drake, who is scheduled to hit the open market.

Matt Williamson of Pro Football Network wrote about potential landing sponts for Drake this offseason and the Jaguars came up in his list. He says that Jacksonville needs a safety blacket in the backfield for the quarterback they will tentatively take with the first overall pick in 2021’s draft. He adds Jacksonville has the cap space to afford the Alabama product despite the fact they have other pressing needs.

Later in his article, WIlliamson points out that even though Drake is talented, it would be tough for him to knock Robinson off his role as the Jaguars’ feature running back. Keep in mind that Jacksonville already has a starting running back in Robinson, so if they bring in one or a couple this offseason, it won’t be to compete with him but rather to add depth to their backfield.

A third-round pick by the MIami Dolphins in 2016, he has spent time with both the ‘Phins’ and the Arizona Cardinals throughout his five-years career, racking up 695 carries for 3,130 yards and 27 touchdowns. He had a career-high 239 carries for 955 yards and ten touchdowns in 2020, so his value in free agency may rise due to his production last year.

The Jacksonville Jaguars should pass up the chance to sign Kenyan Drake.

The Jaguars will have a plethora of running backs to choose from in free agency due to their surplus of cap space. Thus, they can afford to be picky and add either the best available one, Alex Jones, or the one that offers the most bang for their buck, probably James Conner. Thus, it’s doesn’t make sense to sign Drake, whose may ask for retail compensation even though he’s his production doesn’t warrant it.

There will better players than Drake in the open market and if they don’t want to sign one in free agency, they can draft one this year. Simply, there are better options than him, and Jacksonville shouldn’t make a bid for him.