Jaguars rookie's appearance on illustrious list just confirmed he's a steal

Following the 2024 season, it looked like the Jacksonville Jaguars had found their new RB1 in Tank Bigsby. After all, the former Auburn Tiger showcased big-play capability and even outplayed fellow running back Travis Etienne.

But despite Bigsy's promising sophomore campaign, the Jags used a pair of draft picks in Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen. Fast forward to Week 3 of the 2025 season, and Tank Bigsby is now with the Philadelphia Eagles, while Tuten is garnering rave reviews.

Jaguars rookie Bhayshul Tuten was just dubbed a draft steal

Even though Travis Etienne is firmly entrenched as the top option in the Jacksonville backfield, Bhayshul Tuten has made an impact in spite of getting limited opportunities. The former Virginia Tech Hokie has toted the rock 11 times for 52 yards in two games, averaging a whopping 4.8 yards per carry. On top of that, he's added two catches for 11 yards.

Tuten showcased his dynamic playmaking that got the Jags' attention when he scored a receiving touchdown in the Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rightly, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report dubbed the Paulsboro, New Jersey native a draft steal, noting that the Jaguars' brass made it clear how they felt about him when they traded Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles right after the season opener. Below's the skinny.

"It became apparent just how high the duo of GM James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen are high on the dynamic young rookie when the Jags dealt Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles shortly after Week 1 wrapped up," Kay wrote. "Despite Tuten only seeing four offensive snaps in the opener and generating a pedestrian 11 yards on his three carries, the team elected to clear a path for the Virginia Tech product to shine as its RB2."

Later, Kay points out that Tuten hasn't had a fumble, which is noteworthy because he had a combined nine fumbles in his last two collegiate seasons. In the same breath, the B/R writer notes that it's too early to crown the rookie running back but argues that he has the potential to become a foundational piece on the Jacksonville offense.

"If he can continue to make plays as both a rusher and a receiver for a Jacksonville squad that has desperately needed more playmakers to emerge, he'll become a foundational piece of the franchise," Kay noted.

Bhayshul Tuten could end up becoming RB1 for the Jaguars

Travis Etienne ranks second in the league with 214 yards on 30 carries, quickly proving that he's still the game-changer he was for Jacksonville in 2022. That said, he's entering a contract year, and there's a strong chance he's not part of the team's plans beyond this season.

Heck, following the draft, a report surfaced that the Jags weren't sold on either Etienne or Tank Bigsgy. This, in turn, helps understand the decision to draft Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen.

Granted, Etienne grew on the Jaguars, and there's a chance they ultimately lock him up. On the other hand, they can afford to let him walk precisely because they have Tuten in the fold. Sure, the team's brass has a limited sample of what he can do, and it's fair to wonder whether he can carry a full workload.

Nevertheless, the Jags knew they had a potential playmaker when they drafted Tuten in Round 4. His 40-yard dash was the fastest among running backs in the NFL Scouting Combine. Similarly, his 10-yard split and his vertical were position bests. Couple that with his dominant performance at Virginia Tech, and it's easy to see why Jacksonville is so high on him.

The bottom line is that the Jaguars have a playmaker in the waiting, and it may just be a matter of time before Bhayshul Tuten takes the reins.

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