Trading for RB Josh Jacobs an unnecessary luxury the Jaguars cannot afford

Running back Josh Jacobs is coming off a highly successful season but it wasn't nearly good enough for the Las Vegas Raiders to give him a multi-year contract Instead, he got him the franchise tag earlier this year and he's planning to hold out after not getting an offer that reflects his status as one of the top players at his position. While there's a realistic chance Jacobs will join the Raiders before the start of the season, Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report sees the Jacksonville Jaguars as a potential trade destination for the Alabama product in case Las Vegas decides to shop him around.

Moton put together a list of teams that should inquire about Jacobs and believes the Jags would be an ideal landing spot, noting that he and third-year running back Travis Etienne would form the best backfield tandem in the league. On top of that, Moton says that having Jacobs in the fold would allow Jacksonville to ease rookie Tank Bigsby into action.

"Jacksonville doesn't need another running back with Etienne coming off a productive year, racking up 1,441 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns, but he fumbled five times. Moreover, the Jaguars would easily have the best running back duo with Jacobs in the mix. Lastly, the Jaguars wouldn't have to rush rookie third-rounder Tank Bigsby into a complementary role."

Jacobs, a first-round pick in the 2019 draft, had his fifth-year option declined last offseason and he responded by racking up a career-best 1,653 yards with 12 touchdowns on 340 carries. But instead of giving him a deal that made him one of the highest-paid running backs in the league, the Raiders chose to slap him with the franchise tag.

But even until the last moment, Jacobs thought a deal could've gotten done, which is why he waited outside the team's facility in his car, with Maxx Crosby, thinking he and the team could touch base. But the deadline came and went and he didn't get an offer he deemed good enough. The Raiders' brass, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, made him an offer that would have paid him an average of $12 million per year. It would have put him among the five highest-paid running backs in 2023. However, he was reportedly going to get less than $22.5 million in guaranteed, so the deal wasn't nearly as good as Las Vegas would make it seem.

In Jacksonville, Jacobs would give the Jaguars a dynamic running back that could wear defenses down and force the teams to bring in more players down to the box, which could in turn open things up for Trevor Lawrence in the passing game. Moreover, Etienne wouldn't get overworked, which could in turn increase his effectiveness.

Trading for Josh Jacobs wouldn't make sense for the Jaguars in 2023

Make no mistake, Josh Jacobs is a player most clubs would love to acquire even if they already had a capable running back in place. However, the Jaguars aren't an ideal destination for the Oklahoma native even if you leave any potential compensation aside.

See, the Jaguars do have the cap space to acquire Jacobs and they could easily give Jacobs the long-term deal he's been seeking. That said, there are a handful of players who are in line for new contracts that the Jaguars must take care of in the upcoming months.

First is outside linebacker Josh Allen, who's been among the team's best defensive players and one of their top leaders since they drafted him seventh overall in 2019. Also, wide receiver Calvin Ridley hasn't yet suited up for a game in the regular season for the Jags but he's proving he's still the same player he was early in his career. It would be a good idea to get a deal done before the offseason.

Moreover, cornerback Tyson Campbell and Trevor Lawrence will be eligible for contracts in 2024 and Jacksonville will most likely prioritize giving both an extension as soon as possible. Trading for Jacobs and giving him a top-market contract would make it difficult.

Make no mistake, Jacobs is a great player but unless he can rush the quarterback, the Jacksonville Jaguars are in need of his services.

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