The Jacksonville Jaguars’ running game needs to improve in 2026. Over the final 10 games of the 2025 season, the team’s offense took off, averaging 31 points per game and dominating games from start to finish. Everything began to click for Trevor Lawrence, with the help of Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington elevating their play, as well as Travis Etienne making plays in the passing game.
What often gets forgotten in this stretch is how poor the Jaguars’ running game was. Over the final 10 games, the Jaguars’ running backs rushed for just 3.6 yards per attempt, one of the worst marks in the league. The offense was able to succeed despite any threat of a running game over the back half of the season.
While the Jaguars were able to find success in 2025, it is hard to sustain a great offense being one dimensional. Improving the running game opens things up for the quarterback, play caller, and creates an unpredictable offense. But how can the Jaguars actually improve their rushing attack?
Why the Jaguars Running Game Will Improve Going Forward
Planning for the future
The first piece to improving the running game goes back to the 2024 draft with the selection of left tackle Wyatt Milum. Milum was touted as one of the best run-blockers in the country and was a consensus All-American in his final season.
Milum did not play much as a rookie, but he did alternate between left and right guard. With the future of Ezra Cleveland and Patrick Mekari being unknown, Milum may step into the starting role at either guard position in 2027.
Wyatt Milum is an absolute MAULER and one of my favorite day 2 options.
He’s a guard in the NFL, but a damn good one. pic.twitter.com/vdaEfOOUNl
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 8, 2025
After the departure of Travis Etienne, many wondered how he would be replaced. In free agency, the Jaguars signed Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. While on limited carries, Rodriguez averaged 4.6 yards per attempt, broke 13 tackles, and averaged three yards per attempt after contact.
Getting extra yards after contact is a huge piece in improving the Jaguars’ running game, and something it has been missing in the past. Splitting carries among two backs will also allow for both to remain fresh, as Travis Etienne had a pattern of wearing down towards the end of seasons due to a heavy workload.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Chris Rodriguez pic.twitter.com/MSQeEAluaG
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 12, 2026
Immediate impact
In the 2026 draft, the Jaguars made it a point to improve their physicality and play along the offensive line. This began with the selection of tight end Nate Boerkircher in the second round, followed by offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon being selected in the third round.
Boerkircher was touted as one of the best run blocking tight ends in the draft, and the Jaguars have discussed how they want to utilize more two-tight-end sets.
Nate Boerkircher has some of the best blocking ability of any TE in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/tAtTg0FUiD
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 14, 2026
Utilizing Boerkircher and Strange as blockers will create more leverage against the front line of the defense, but will not allow them to stack the box due to Strange’s pass-catching abilities and the threat he poses as a receiver.
Pregnon was graded as the third-best run blocker among 686 guards in college football and will be an instant-impact player in the trenches. Pregnon and Milum starting at the guard positions on the offensive line, paired with the increased usage of two-tight-end sets, will give the Jaguars a more versatile rushing attack for the foreseeable future.
Emmanuel Pregnon isn’t talked about much, but he’s one of the best offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft pic.twitter.com/0lB9WGrWtg
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 16, 2026
