The Jacksonville Jaguars’ backfield represents one of the most confusing fantasy football situations heading into Week 1. Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby, and Bhayshul Tuten all bring different skill sets, but none has established clear dominance during training camp and the preseason.
With a favorable matchup against Carolina’s vulnerable defense, fantasy managers must decide which Jaguars back, if any, deserves lineup consideration in what projects as a messy committee situation.
Travis Etienne Jr. Fantasy Outlook
Etienne enters 2025 just two seasons removed from an overall RB7 finish when he averaged 16.6 fantasy points per game. However, even that productive campaign masked underlying efficiency concerns, as he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and was bolstered by an elite four-game stretch where he performed like a legendary RB1.
The 2024 season revealed Etienne’s actual limitations when he averaged an even worse 3.7 yards per carry and could not break tackles or make defenders miss. He wound up ceding the lead runner role to Bigsby and finished with just 8.7 fantasy points per game, landing outside the top 36 running backs.
Despite these struggles, Etienne maintains value as a receiving back, having posted a 12.0% target share during his breakout 2023 season. His pass-catching ability remains his primary path to fantasy relevance, particularly in PPR formats where his involvement could provide a decent floor.
Travis Etienne Draws Praise From HC Coen
Coach says he’ll be a weapon all over the field, built to flip long drives into quick-strike TDs: “We’ve got to use him as a guy that can help make plays … turn those 10-play drives into 4-play, 5-play drives.”pic.twitter.com/UxVzZRUmuO
— RotoLegends (@RotoLegends) September 3, 2025
The arrival of Liam Coen as offensive coordinator provides some optimism, as he successfully developed both Bucky Irving and Rachaad White into fantasy-relevant options in Tampa Bay. However, Etienne’s declining efficiency suggests he may not be the primary beneficiary of this system change.
Jacksonville’s official depth chart lists Etienne and Bigsby as co-starters, indicating the team hasn’t definitively chosen between them. This uncertainty, combined with his recent struggles, makes Etienne a risky fantasy play despite his draft pedigree.
Tank Bigsby Fantasy Outlook
Bigsby has emerged as a vastly superior runner compared to Etienne. Behind the same offensive line, he averages 4.6 yards per carry while managing 8.1 fantasy points per game despite receiving just a 43.3% opportunity share. His efficiency metrics paint an impressive picture of his abilities.
The third-year back ranked sixth in evaded tackles per touch last season, demonstrating the contact balance and elusiveness that Etienne has lost. Advanced metrics show Bigsby’s 2.8 yards after contact per attempt tied for first with Derrick Henry, while his 12 attempts per broken tackle ranked 15th among qualified rushers.
Tank Bigsby pic.twitter.com/a5bCdvpGWD
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 25, 2025
Bigsby’s main limitation remains his complete lack of receiving production, having earned just a 2.4% target share last season. This weakness eliminates his upside in obvious passing situations and limits his ceiling in negative game scripts.
The veteran’s role should focus on early-down work, where his between-the-tackles ability shines. Based on his size and proven effectiveness in those situations, he is the favorite for short-yardage and goal-line opportunities.
Recent reports suggest Bigsby may hold a slight edge in carries for Week 1, though the exact split remains unclear. His superior efficiency and team trust in crucial situations make him the preferred option among Jacksonville’s running backs.
Bhayshul Tuten Fantasy Outlook
Tuten represents the Wild Card in this backfield equation, carrying the potential for a Bucky Irving-type trajectory that could make him a league-winning pickup. The rookie’s blazing 4.32 speed and impressive college production have generated significant buzz throughout training camp.
The Virginia Tech product boosted his yards per carry average from 5.0 in 2023 to 6.3 in 2024 while scoring 31 total touchdowns in his final collegiate season. His athletic profile suggests he could eventually emerge as Jacksonville’s primary back if given opportunities.
A few of Bhayshul Tuten’s touches in his first preseason game.
Love the base that Tuten runs with. He’s got some spring in his step and runs with good toughness. Great finish on his TD. pic.twitter.com/JwaxgpUQsB
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) August 13, 2025
However, Tuten belongs nowhere near fantasy lineups for Week 1. Despite the long-term potential, he projects minimal touches as coaches likely lean on the veteran options early in the season. The rookie faces an uphill battle for immediate playing time in a crowded backfield.
The possibility of Tuten eventually taking over shouldn’t be dismissed entirely, as new coaching staff members often favor their own draft picks. But fantasy managers should view him as a bench stash rather than a Week 1 contributor.
Should You Start Etienne, Bigsby, or Tuten This Week?
The matchup against Carolina provides an extremely favorable environment for all Jacksonville running backs. The Panthers allowed the most fantasy points per game to the position by a sizable margin last season, creating opportunities even if their defense has improved.
Read More: Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
This game carries sneaky shootout potential, which would benefit both Etienne and Bigsby in what projects as a high-scoring affair. However, the backfield ambiguity makes none of these options must-start players regardless of their draft positions.
Fantasy managers with superior alternatives should avoid forcing a Jaguar into their lineups while uncertainty remains. The strategy with ambiguous backfields involves waiting for clarity rather than guessing during the early weeks.
If forced to choose between Etienne and Bigsby, both represent serviceable RB3/flex plays with different strengths. Bigsby offers better efficiency and goal-line upside, while Etienne provides pass-catching floor in PPR formats.
Tuten absolutely should not appear in any Week 1 lineups, as he remains very much in play to score zero fantasy points. The rookie’s time may come, but patience is required while the depth chart sorts itself out.
