Jaguars RB Travis Etienne and Myles Gaskin could make a lethal combo

Running back doesn’t rank particularly high on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ list of offseason needs but that shouldn’t stop them from upgrading their position. One player that could give their running game a boost and form a lethal duo alongside Travis Etienne is Myles Gaskin.

Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report recently wrote a list of seven bargain free agents that could solve roster issues and Gaskin popped up on it. Moton argues that Gaskin could be a three-down back but could also thrive in a backfield committee, which would make him an appealing option in Jacksonville.

"At his next stop, Gaskin will likely take on a role within a backfield committee, but he’s capable of leading a platoon in a three-down role. Between 2020 and 2021, Gaskin racked up 1,818 yards and 12 touchdowns from scrimmage, though he did lose three out of four fumbles.If an offensive play-caller doesn’t see Gaskin’s size (5’10” 194 lbs) and occasional ball-security issues as reasons to limit his workload, he can handle 12-15 touches per game for a team that wants a complete back at a bargain."

Moton doesn’t bring up the Jaguars as a potential fit and instead mentions the Arizona Cardinals as a potential landing spot for Gaskin but that shouldn’t stop general manager Trent Baalke from potentially pursuing him in free agency.

A seventh-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019, Gaskin played 17 games with 10 starts and tallied 173 carries for 612 yards with three touchdowns in 20121. However, he became an afterthought in the Phins’ backfield after the arrival of head coach Mike McDaniel and finished the 2022 season with just 10 carries for 26 yards.

Myles Gaskin could give the Jacksonville Jaguars running game a boost

The 2023 free-agent running back class will be a good one, with Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders, and Saquon Barkley slated to hit the open market. However, the Jaguars aren’t in need of a workhorse due to the presence of Travis Etienne, who logged 220 carries for 1,125 yards with five touchdowns last year. Having said that, the former Clemson Tiger could increase his effectiveness as a part of a backfield tandem.

At 210 pounds, Etienne isn’t built to get 30 carries per game. He only had 20 carries or more four times last year and James Robinson notwithstanding, no other Jaguar running back had more than 12. Working in a running back committee would ensure Etienne remains fresh throughout the whole game.

That’s where Gaskin comes in. The former Washington Huski could easily get 10 carries per game in a complementary role but could also step into the starting lineup if Etienne had to miss a couple of games.

The Jaguars need to reload their roster if they want to return to the playoffs in 2023. While they showed a preference for throwing the football last season, they can’t abandon the run, which is why they should consider adding Gaskin to their running back room.