The Jacksonville Jaguars experienced an offensive renaissance of sorts under head coach Liam Coen last season.
Jacksonville ranked near the top in multiple categories on offense last year, including points per game (27.9, sixth), yards per game (338.6, 10th), red zone scoring (62.5%, eighth), touchdowns per game (3.2, fourth), rushing touchdowns per game (1.2, sixth) and passing yards per game (221.3, 12th), among others.
A large part of that was the ascension of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who finally realized his potential under Coen during the last 10 games of the season. The Jaguars went 9-1 during that stretch en route to a 13-4 season and the AFC South crown.
During the last 10 games of the year, Lawrence threw for 2,374 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 253 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
In 2026, the Jaguars will hope to supplement their passing game with an efficient rushing attack. They lost starter Travis Etienne to the New Orleans Saints via free agency, but added former Washington Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
They’ll enter the draft with 11 picks, including four in the first 100 selections. The Jaguars do not own a first-round pick this year after trading it away in a package to move up from the fifth-overall pick to the second-overall pick with the Cleveland Browns to select cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.
Jaguars 2026 NFL Draft picks
Here’s Jacksonville NFL Draft order as of early April:
Jaguars 2026 NFL Draft targets: Running backs
Coen recently made a comment directly related to the team’s ground attack that gave insight into how much he feels the team can improve.
“Where is the stink that was covered up by winning and how do we improve that stink and get better as a football team?” Coen recently asked, via the Times Union’s Ryan O’Halloran. When next asked if his comment was directed at the run game, at least in part, Coen was unequivocal.
“100%,” he said.
Jacksonville’s ground attack began the year as one of the league’s best. They ran for 200 yards against the Carolina Panthers before rushing for 139 yards the next week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Jacksonville enjoyed a total of 10 games with 100-or-more yards on the ground.
However, that means Jacksonville ran for fewer than 100 yards in seven games, including five games under 90 yards, one game under 60 (59 yards vs. Seattle Seahawks).
Jacksonville’s rushing efficiency simply wasn’t there often enough throughout the season. Grinding yards with a shifting offensive line was proved challenging.
Jacksonville will try to fix that with perfected rushing plays, including those tailored to running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen as two returning backs, but, can they improve the position group through the draft, too?
Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
Measurables: 5-foot-10, 206 pounds
Career stats: Played one year at Louisiana-Monroe (2024) before transferring to Missouri in 2025. Hardy totaled 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards with ULM, while he totaled 1,649 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns with the Tigers.
Analysis: Coleman has some of the best contact balance in this year’s draft, leading the nation in total yards after contact with 1,181 yards and 96 forced missed tackles. He aligns perfectly with Coen’s aggressive mindset, especially his ability to create without much help.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
Measurables: 5-foot-8, 220 pounds
Career stats: Played two years at Arizona (2022-23), totalling 1,243 yards (6.1 yards per attempt) and nine touchdowns on the ground, adding 33 catches for 307 yards and one score through the air. In two years at Washington (2024-25), Coleman totaled 1,811 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and 25 touchdowns. He added 54 catches for 531 yards and two scores through the air.
Analysis: Another bowling-ball type rusher, Coleman posted one of the best run-finishing seasons in the nation. He excelled at making plays beyond what his offensive line could bring to the table with a 2.5% AEOPS (Adjusted Efficiency Over Pro-S), meaning he is projected to perform above the average running back selected in this year’s draft, according to ESPN.
Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
Measurables: 5-foot-10, 202 pounds
Career stats: Played 41 games for Nebraska, totalling 2,460 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Johnson added 92 catches for 702 yards and five scores through the air.
Analysis: A contact-balance merchant, Johnson rarely went down after first contact. While he is not as polished as other runners on this list, his experience on the ground and through the air would probably entice Jacksonville’s staff.
Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 223 pounds
Career stats: 51 games played between three years at Buffalo (27 games), one year at New Mexico State (12 games) and one year at Arkansas (2025). Totaled 2,914 rushing yards on 587 carries, 26 rushing touchdowns, 73 catches for 470 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Analysis: Washington is a powerful back with elite speed (4.33s 40-yard dash) and breaks arm tackles with ease. His transition into the NFL shouldn’t come with many problems and he would be an ideal fit for Jacksonville.
Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 216 pounds
Career stats: Played in 54 games over four years at Penn State, totalling 4,180 rushing yards (5.4 yards per carry) and 39 touchdowns. He added 70 catches for 490 yards and four scores through the air.
Analysis: Sticking with the theme of the group, Allen posted a 5.6% AEOPS, noted particularly for his efficiency.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky at Demetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars in 2026 NFL Draft needs: 5 running back targets
Reporting by Demetrius Harvey, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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