Feb. 19, 2026, 7:16 a.m. ET

The NFL combine begins soon, running from Feb. 23 to March 2. To preview this important pre-draft event, we will be taking a position-by-position look at which prospects were invited and the level of need that the Jacksonville Jaguars have at each spot.

The NFL combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and is an opportunity for the top NFL draft prospects in this year’s class to go through measurements and various on-field drills, some of which are specific to their position group, and others measure the player’s overall athleticism.

For NFL teams, this event is another data point for them as they build out their draft profiles and big boards. However, it’s a significant data point, with players potentially flying up and down draft boards depending on how they perform.

In addition to the on-field drills, teams also get the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one as well, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them both on and off the field.

Up next are the running backs.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Jaguars‘ running backs under contract before free agencyBhayshul TutenLeQuint AllenJa’Quinden JacksonWhat is the need at running back for the Jaguars?

If Etienne ends up signing elsewhere, running back will have to be addressed this offseason. In this scenario, Tuten and Allen will lead the way, but depth and competition behind them will be needed — although whether it’s in free agency or the draft, premium capital shouldn’t have to be spent on this position.

Now, the big question is whether or not Etienne returns. My guess is that after investing draft picks into Tuten and Allen in 2025, the Jaguars roll with those two as their top backs.

In addition to that, while it can be improved, the Jaguars aren’t in a great salary cap situation at the moment, so Jacksonville may be better off devoting the cap resources they do have to other positions.

Running backs invited to 2026 NFL combine Kaytron Allen, Penn StateMax Bredeson, MichiganDemond Claiborne, Wake ForestJonah Coleman, WashingtonCJ Donaldson, Ohio StateRahsul Faison, South CarolinaEli Heidenreich, NavyRoman Hemby, IndianaRobert Henry Jr., UTSAEmmett Johnson, NebraskaJeremiyah Love, Notre DameSeth McGowan, KentuckyJam Miller, AlabamaLe’Veon Moss, Texas A&MJadarian Price, Notre DameAdam Randall, ClemsonDesmond Reid, PittsburghNicholas Singleton, Penn StateJ’Mari Taylor, VirginiaMike Washington Jr., ArkansasNoah Whittington, Oregon