While the Jacksonville Jaguars have begun to clear cap space, they still have plenty of work to do before they're ready for free agency. Sure, the Jags already locked up the unheralded Quintin Morris, but they don't appear close to getting deals done with linebacker Devin Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne, and cornerback Montaric Brown, their top three players scheduled to hit the open market.
Sure, general manager James Gladstone still has time to re-sign the three, but if he doesn't, Dan Graziano of ESPN predicts one of them to bolt for a dreaded divisional rival.
The Jaguars could witness Travis Etienne sign with the Tennessee Titans in free agency
Dan Graziano predicted the contracts for 20 players slated to hit the open market and projects Travis Etienne to sign a three-year deal worth $39 million with the Tennessee Titans, noting that the Jags can afford to move on from him because of the presence of sophomore Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen.
"Much like Walker, Etienne has multiple teams interested and can continue as a surprisingly good year for the top of the free agent RB class," Graziano wrote. "Jacksonville drafted two running backs in last year's draft, so it can move on from Etienne. The 27-year-old was 112th in rushing yards last season at 1,107 yards."
A first-round pick in the 2021 draft, Etienne missed his rookie campaign with a Lisfranc injury. However, he's gone on to become a focal point of the Jacksonville offense, crossing the 1,000-yard mark three times the past four years. Moreover, the Jennings, Louisiana native is coming off a season in which he totaled 1,399 yards from scrimmage with a career-best 13 touchdowns.
There's no doubt that losing him would be a huge blow, especially if he bolts for the dreaded Titans. That said, Tennessee may have competition to land the former Clemson Tiger. While the Houston Texans seem to be out of the mix after trading for David Montgomery, both the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs could make a run for him.
Tennessee may make the best contract offer, but Etienne may rather sign with either the Broncos or Kansas City because he'll have better odds of competing right off the bat. He won't get that chance with the Titans, as they're one or two seasons away from being competitive.
Nevertheless, Etienne would take lots of pressure off sophomore quarterback Cam Ward, who routinely had to put the team on his shoulders because he had an unremarkable supporting cast.
With Etienne in the mix, the Titans offense could give Jacksonville fits twice next season. That's just how much of a playmaker he is.
Why the Jaguars may be willing to let Travis Etienne walk
Nobody will deny that losing Travis Etienne will sting, but the Jaguars have a more-than-capable replacement in Bhayshul Tuten, who flashed game-altering capability throughout the season and the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Heck, it's easy to forget that the Jaguars drafted Tuten to begin with because they weren't sold on Etienne and Tank Bigsby, who was shipped to the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks into the regular season.
Granted, there's still time for the Jaguars to lock up Etienne, but if he leaves, Bhayshul Tuten will have a chance to validate the team's trust to him.