Getty
Jacksonville Jaguars 2021 first round pick Running back Travis Etienne
Roster decisions in the NFL often come down to numbers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars face one of those tough calls in their backfield. Traditionally, teams carry three running backs and a fullback or an extra special teams piece. But with the unique mix of talent the Jaguars have assembled, there’s a strong case for keeping all four running backs on the roster.
Travis Etienne’s Bounce-Back Opportunity
----------------------------------------
Travis Etienne’s 2024 campaign was his least productive as a pro. He managed just 558 yards on 150 carries with two touchdowns, slowed by nagging injuries and inconsistent usage. Yet, Etienne’s explosiveness hasn’t disappeared—it was simply masked by circumstance. At his best, he’s a dynamic slasher who can turn a crease into a 40-yard gain. With a fresh slate under Head Coach Liam Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Etienne has every chance to rebound. Keeping him in the fold isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Tank Bigsby as the New Workhorse
--------------------------------
Tank Bigsby, meanwhile, proved last season that he can shoulder the load. With 766 yards and seven touchdowns on 168 carries, Bigsby gave the Jaguars something they desperately needed: consistency between the tackles. Bigsby’s downhill style wears defenses down, and his nose for the end zone turned drives into points. In many ways, Bigsby is now the reliable core of the room. But his presence doesn’t make the others expendable—it makes them more valuable.
The Rookie Wild Cards
---------------------
Enter Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., two rookies who bring entirely different skill sets to the mix. Bhayshul Tuten is pure speed. After blazing a 4.32 forty, he translated that burst into production at Virginia Tech, where he totaled 1,851 yards across two seasons. His school-record 266-yard outburst against Boston College showcased what happens when he gets to the second level—defenders simply can’t catch him. Add his special teams return ability, and Tuten becomes more than a developmental prospect; he’s a game-changer waiting to happen.
LeQuint Allen Jr is almost the opposite: polished, versatile, and proven against Power Five competition. At Syracuse, he stacked back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons while catching 119 passes for 848 yards. His 17 total touchdowns last year underscore a player who thrives in the red zone. Where Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten bring home-run ability, Allen adds steady reliability and elite receiving chops out of the backfield.
Why Four Is Smarter Than Three
------------------------------
Coen’s offense thrived in Tampa Bay with a committee approach, cycling multiple backs to stay fresh while exploiting matchups. He doesn’t need a bell cow; he wants weapons. Carrying all four gives him unmatched flexibility. He can ride Bigsby’s power, unleash Etienne’s quick-strike ability, sprinkle in Tuten’s speed, and deploy Allen as a third-down mismatch nightmare.
The NFL is a league of attrition, especially at running back. Injuries happen, rotations shift, and depth is everything. By keeping all four, the Jaguars not only protect themselves—they create one of the league’s most versatile and unpredictable backfields. When September comes, Jacksonville shouldn’t make a choice; it doesn’t have to. The smart move is to keep them all.
More Heavy on Jaguars
---------------------
Loading more stories