An athletic freak from the SEC could be a logical replacement for Travis Etienne in Jacksonville
The Jaguars could find a bit more juice in April for their RB room.
For the first time since 2022, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be going into training camp without the versatile and electric Travis Etienne in their backfield. The Jags’ 2022 first-round pick inked a free agent deal back in his native Louisiana, agreeing to a four-year deal worth up to $52 million with the New Orleans Saints.
Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone didn’t sit on his hands, to his credit. The team added Chris Rodriguez, Jr. on a two-year deal, who adds a physical presence to the room. He had 500 rushing yards and six rushing scores for Washington last season. He also is familiar with Liam Coen, having played for him during his time at Kentucky.
With Rodriguez, Bhayshul Tuten, and LeQuint Allen leading the way, Jacksonville’s RB room is solid, but there’s still room for another potential playmaker. And speaking of the SEC, another running back could be in play and make a lot of sense for the Jaguars in the middle rounds, and that’s Arkansas’ Mike Washington, Jr.
Arkansas RB Mike Washington, Jr. could be an intriguing option for the Jaguars in the third or fourth round
Washington spent one year with Arkansas in 2025 after three seasons with Buffalo and one at New Mexico State. But boy, what a bright spot he was in a dismal season for the Razorbacks. He totaled 1070 yards (6.4 ypc) and eight rushing scores along with 28 catches for 228 yards and another touchdown. His 6.44 yards per carry average was second to Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy among SEC starting running backs. He posted runs of 30+ yards in six games.
But it was at the NFL Combine where he really turned some heads. He measured at 6-1, 223 pounds before stepping to the line and blazing a 4.33 40-yard dash at a 1.51 10-yard split. He also posted a 39-inch vertical leap and a 10-foot eight-inch broad jump. Without question, the athleticism is off the charts.
Coen did yeoman’s work with Bucs running back Bucky Irving in 2024, finding ways to get him in space in the run game and passing attack. While Washington isn’t exactly an Irving/De’Von Achane flex weapon, he’s an improving asset in the passing game, as he showed with career receiving bests last year for the Razorbacks.
The bottom line is there aren’t many running backs at 6-1, 223 pounds who move that fast and run that hard. He and Coen could be an intriguing pairing if Jacksonville wants to add to their RB room with one of their third round picks (No. 81, 88, and 100 overall) or their fourth-round selection (No. 124).
