The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't take a single running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, showing confidence in the backfield tandem of Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez. Sure, they were reportedly ready to trade up for Jadarian Price if he slid to Round 2, but they ultimately didn't make any additions at the position.
But despite the Jags' trust in Tuten and Rodriguez, an NFL analyst thinks they should consider adding a former first-round pick to their backfield as insurance.
The Jaguars are being urged to sign Najee Harris to back up Bhayshul Tuten
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus put together a list of the ideal landing spots for the remaining free agents after the NFL Draft and suggested the Jaguars sign Najee Harris, arguing that the veteran running back could give their backfield a boost at a bargain rate. Here's the skinny.
"Before suffering an Achilles tear in Week 3, Harris had compiled a career-high 83.9 PFF rushing grade with 3.67 yards after contact per attempt across 15 carries for the Chargers," Locker wrote. "While those numbers may be inflated by a disproportionately small sample size, Harris played to at least a 75.2 rushing grade with 51-plus missed tackles forced every season from 2022-24."
Locker continued, "In a group where Chris Rodriguez Jr., LeQuint Allen, and Bhayshul Tuten are currently slated to split carries, the 28-year-old Harris could emerge as a low-cost bell cow."
On paper, the idea makes sense. Although Harris isn't explosive, he's been consistent throughout his career, averaging a solid 4.1 yards per carry dating back to 2021. The Jaguars could use that kind of production at running back. Couple that with the fact that signing the 2021 Pro Bowl nod probably won't be cost-prohibitive, and signing him suddenly doesn't look like a bad idea.
Having said that, Harris is coming off an Achilles tear. Moreover, Jacksonville is stacked at running. Sure, Travis Etienne bolted in free agency, but the team's brass brought in Chris Rodriguez on a two-year deal. If that wasn't enough, J'Mari Taylor landed in Duval as an undrafted free agent, and DeeJay Dallas, who's back on a one-year deal, proved to be a solid backup when Bhayshul Tuten missed time late in 2025.
When you add it all up, it wouldn't make any sense for the Jags to lock up Harris right now. It's also worth noting that they've also been connected to veteran running back Austin Ekeler, so the national media legitimate things that Jacksonville's backfield is in need of upgrades.
Why the Jaguars will steer clear of Najee Harris (for the moment)
The Jaguars are confident that Bhayshul Tuten can fill the void left by Travis Etienne's departure, with head coach Liam Coen pointing out that his full potential has yet to be unlocked. Similarly, Chris Rodriguez should get a big workload next season. Barring serious injury to either one, it's hard to see Jacksonville bringing in external help. That or one of them would have to struggle mightily in the offseason, and that probably won't happen.
Tuten's production in the regular season didn't pop off the stat sheet. However, he showed the ability to break big runs in the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, toting the rock four times for 51 yards. Similarly, Rodriguez's average of 4.0 yards after contact per attempt in 2025 ranked second in the NFL.
Simply put, if the Jags weren't sure Bhayshlul Tuten could be a fine replacement for Travis Etienne, they wouldn't have let him walk in free agency. Granted, he's yet to show that he can carry a full workload, but having Chris Rodriguez in the mix takes a bit of pressure off his shoulders. With them two, Jacksonville doesn't have room for Najee Harris.
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