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5 under-the-radar free agents the Jacksonville Jaguars should target in 2023

By Carlos Sanchez

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 05: Trent Baalke, General Manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, looks on during a press conference introducing Doug Pederson as the new Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Stadium on February 05, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 05: Trent Baalke, General Manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, looks on during a press conference introducing Doug Pederson as the new Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Stadium on February 05, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 under-the-radar free agent for the Jacksonville Jaguars: David Montgomery

Running back isn’t at the top of the Jaguars’ offseason list but that doesn’t mean they should neglect the position. Travis Etienne missed his rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury but he more than made up for it last year, toting the rock 220 times for 1,125 yards with five touchdowns.

Having said that, the Jaguars could add depth to their running back room. JaMycal Hasty played well when called up and even broke off a 63-yard touchdown run against the Indianapolis Colts last year.

However, the Jaguars need to be ready in case Etienne misses time with injuries. Hasty hasn’t proven he can carry a big workload and Snoop Conner is still an unknown commodity, only getting playing time toward the end of his rookie season. That’s where David Montgomery comes in.

A third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2019, the Iowa State product has shown he can thrive in a featured role, logging 915 carries for 3,609 yards with 26 touchdowns over the last four seasons. Moreover, his 185 missed tackles in that span rank fifth in the NFL. The Jaguars could certainly use him on inside runs, an area where they could improve next season.

All things considered, Montgomery’s numbers aren’t eye-popping but could make a productive backfield alongside Etienne. Also, he won’t probably have a big market in free agency when you take into account that clubs interested in signing a No. 1 running back will probably target Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, or Miles Sanders instead.

This could in turn allow the Jaguars to sign Montgomery at a reasonable price.

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