With NFL free agency just days away, the running back market is once again shaping up to be one of the most closely watched storylines of the offseason.
Several established backs are expected to command significant attention and sizable contracts as teams search for immediate offensive production.
Veterans such as Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Derrick Henry have helped redefine the modern running back market in recent years, proving that elite production at the position can still drive aggressive spending despite long-standing concerns about positional value.
But as the league prepares for another wave of deals, not every high-profile back is viewed as a safe investment.
In a recent ESPN analysis of the most underrated and overrated players entering free agency, analyst Seth Walder placed Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. in the "overrated" category, a label that could influence how teams evaluate him when the market officially opens.
Etienne, the No. 25 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Clemson, has been one of Jacksonville's top offensive pieces over the past several seasons.
After missing his rookie year with a Lisfranc injury, he emerged as a dynamic playmaker once he took the field.
Across his career with the Jaguars, Etienne has accumulated 3,798 rushing yards, more than 1,300 receiving yards, and 32 total touchdowns, establishing himself as a versatile dual-threat back.
His breakout campaign came in 2022, when he rushed for 1,125 yards on 5.1 yards per carry while helping Jacksonville reach the playoffs.
Since then, Etienne has remained a focal point of the Jaguars' offense, though his production has fluctuated from season to season.
In 2025, Etienne delivered another productive year on paper.
He appeared in all 17 games and finished with 1,107 rushing yards on 260 carries (4.3 yards per carry) and seven rushing touchdowns, ranking among the league's top dozen rushers.
He also contributed as a receiver, catching 36 passes for 292 yards and six touchdowns, continuing to showcase his ability as an explosive backfield weapon.
However, Walder's critique focuses less on the raw totals and more on efficiency metrics and role usage.
According to his analysis, Etienne has struggled to consistently outperform blocking in advanced rushing metrics.
While he posted 44 rush yards over expected in 2025, he was negative in that category during the previous two seasons, including minus-77 in 2023 and minus-43 in 2024.
Walder's argument is straightforward: paying a premium for a running back who doesn't consistently create additional yardage beyond what the offensive line provides is risky.
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