The Jacksonville Jaguars started the offseason with a crowded running back room, even going so far as to keep four on their 53-man roster. The theme throughout training camp was one of competition, and the team even drafted two backs during the 2025 NFL Draft to that end. However, the eventual shakeout among the backs didn't become clear until general manager James "Trade 'em while you got 'em" Gladstone sent third-year veteran Tank Bigsby to the Eagles for a pair of late-round draft picks.
The trade came after Travis Etienne Jr. put down a dominant performance against the Carolina Panthers in a Week 1 victory. Yet even before the look of the backfield solidified, the competition at the position didn't stop the fifth-year back from pouring into the rookies during the offseason and training camp.
Related: Jaguars just cut ties with yet another Trent Baalke free-agent disappointment
Travis Etienne Jr. continued to mentor Jaguars rookies throughout training camp
After the first touchdown of his NFL career, rookie Bhayshul Tuten has started to earn the notice of the media. He talked about his physical play and ability as a receiver. Perhaps most notably, however, he took time to discuss how Etienne has taken on a mentor role.
"It's been amazing," Tuten told Jaguars media. "He's a great vet. He helps us out a lot [and] gives us the nuances of how the NFL is and what to expect. This is his (Etienne's) fifth year now, so he has a lot of experience. So just getting some of the feedback that he has from game to game or practice to practice that can help us has definitely been good."
"He's a great vet. He helps us out a lot."@swaggy_t1 getting his flowers from the rookie! pic.twitter.com/Ky7JdxWCud
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 15, 2025
Travis Etienne Jr. is proving he's the Jaguars' top back—and a solid fantasy football pick
Despite a lower stat line in Week 2, Travis Etienne Jr. continues to dominate. With 13 fewer rushes than league-leading running back Jonathan Taylor, Etienne is still only second in rushing yards with 214. He has the longest rush of the season with 71 yards, and the second-highest yards per carry (among running backs with at least ten carries) with 7.1 yards.
Shockingly, Etienne went as the 13th drafted running back among fantasy players, according to Pro Football Network. After just two weeks, they may want to make room on their roster, though I don't know that anyone is looking to offload him just yet.
Related: Jaguars earn deserved tumble in Power Rankings after frustrating loss to Bengals
Final thoughts
Travis Etienne Jr. has solidified himself as the Jaguars' top running back, but that hasn't stopped him from building up the very rookies who might be taking his place next year. Look to see more of the Clemson alum despite increased carries to rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr.