Even though Tank Bigsby got the lion's share of reps in training camp, the Jacksonville Jaguars threw a curveball when they gave the starting nod to Travis Etienne in the preseason opener. This could be a sign that he'll be RB1 in 2025. However, there's also a chance that the Jags could be showcasing the former Clemson Tiger to potential suitors.
While there are no credible reports that the Jags will be trading Etienne, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think they wanted other teams to see how he looked against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1of the preseason.
Granted, Etienne registered 1,000 rushing yards or more in 2022 and 2023. However, he's coming off a somewhat disappointing season, so clubs that are interested in him may want to have one last look at him before they make a decision.
That said, the Louisiana native could ultimately stay in Jacksonville in 2025. After all, he gives Jacksonville enviable depth at running back, and he would be a great replacement if either Tank Bigsby or Bhayshul Tuten gets hurt.
For the sake of the argument, let's say Etienne stays put in 2025; he isn't probably the only Jacksonville player who will be on other teams' radar.
With that in mind, here are other Jaguars who could end up on the trade block during the preseason or in the aftermath.
Related: Wost-case scenario for the Jaguars in 2025 is nightmare fuel for Trevor Lawrence
Luke Fortner, Jaguars center
When the Jaguars drafted Luke Fortner in 2022, they probably thought they had a worthy heir apparent for Brandon Linder, who hung up the cleats that same year. The early signs were promising. The former Kentucky Wildcat flashed as a rookie but also showed that he had a long way to prove he was the long-term answer at center.
Expected to take the next step in his sophomore campaign, Fortner struggled instead. By 2024, the Jaguars had realized that they needed to upgrade the center position and signed veteran Mitch Morse.
Fortner took on a backup role and didn't see meaningful playing time last year. Then, the regime came in and signed Robert Hainsey in free agency to start, and later used a seventh-round selection on Jonah Monheim.
It's fair to say that Fortner doesn't appear to be part of the team's plans, so teams in need of help at center may inquire about him in the upcoming weeks.
Chad Muma, Jaguars linebacker
Although the Jaguars don't have a logjam like they do at safety, they do have a surplus. Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd are slated to start, while Ventrell Miller seems to be No. 3 on the depth chart. Add rookies Jalen McLeod and Jack Kiser, along with special teams ace Dennis Gardeck, and the Jags can afford to move on from fourth-year pro.
Muma, a third-round pick in the 2022 (like Luke Fortner), got playing time when Lloyd was bench. However, he suffered a knee injury that ended his season prematurely. The following year, the former Iowa Hawkeye mostly spent time as the primary backup, but once he was given a chance, he struggled.
Miller got ahead of Muma on the depth chart last year, and he wouldn't have gotten much playing time if it weren't for the fact that the Jags rotated their linebackers under defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
Muma is now entering a contract year, but given how stacked the Jags are at linebacker, he could be the victim of the numbers game.
Darnell Savage, Jaguars safety
The Jaguars have a "burden of choice" kind of situation going on at safety. Eric Murray will tentatively get one of their starting spots, but the other is up for grabs. Antonio Johnson, Andrew Wingard, and Darnell Savage find themselves in a three-way battle for him.
Johnson could garner interest because of his upside, but teams that need a starting safety have a better grasp of what Savage brings to the position because of his stint with the Green Bay Packers.
A first-round pick in 2019, Savage appeared in 72 games with 69 starts for Green Bay and landed with the Jags last year. Although he mostly played safety with the Packers, he lined up in the slot to open the 2024 season. When Johnson struggled, though, the former Maryland Terrapin moved to his more familiar spot in the backfield.
Savege has fared well in training camp, and even got a shoutout from Liam Coen. That said, he hasn't particularly stand out, so the Jags could most definitely send him packing if another club comes calling.