AFC South Preseason RB Power Rankings: Where does Jaguars formidable tandem land?
• But do the Texans and Titans
• Where do Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby rank among his peers?
No. 2 AFC South RB 2023 Preseason Rankings: Jacksonville Jaguars
RB1 Travis Etienne
RB2 Tank Bigsby
The Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the deepest running back rooms in the NFL right now. While Travis Etienne is firmly entrenched as the starter, rookie Tank Bigsby could also earn lots of carries if he continues to impress in the preseason.
But besides Etienne and Bigsby, the Jags have other running backs that could come off the bench if needed. JaMycal Hasty, a waiver wire pickup last year, became the team's primary backup when James Robinson was traded to the New York Jets. The front office was pleased enough with Hasty's performance that they gave him a two-year extension in the offseason.
Even with Hasty in the fold, the Jags saw an opportunity and signed D'Ernest Johnson in free agency. An undrafted free agent in 2019, the Immokalee, Florida native had to suit up for the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American football before signing with the Cleveland Browns.
Johnson went on to spend four years with the Browns and although he didn't get much playing time, he made the most out of chances, toting the rock 141 times for 738 yards and three touchdowns. He could step in at any time and come through if either Etienne or Bigsby have to miss time next season.
It's hard to tell how the consensus would rank the Jaguars among other teams when it comes to the running back position but they should feel good about the surplus of options they have ahead of the 2023 season. Having said that, Jacksonville might not have the best backfield in the division.