Jaguars blazing 4th-round draft pick casts doubt on Travis Etienne’s future in Jacksonville

Despite the many pre-draft prognostications, the Jacksonville Jaguars passed on superstar running back Aston Jeanty in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. They Jaguars passed on the No. 5 overall pick altogether, instead swinging a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns to move up three spots for wide receiver/cornerback unicorn Travis Hunter.

Those projecting Jacksonville to be in on this year’s deep running back class were on to something, though.

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Despite a well-stocked depth chart that currently features Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby and 2024 fifth-rounder Keilan Robinson, the Jaguars added an eclectic new prospect to the room by making Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten the 104th overall pick of the 2025 draft.

Meet Bhayshul Tuten, the fastest running back in the 2025 draft class

Tuten’s blazing 40 time of 4.32 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine was the fastest of this year’s running back class. 

He averaged 6.3 yards per carry in 2024, racking up 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also hauled in 23 receptions, and projects as a nice change-of-pace back in a committee. His pass protection, grading out at a subpar 47.2 by PFF, will need to improve for him to stay on the field on third downs.

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What does the Tuten pick mean for Travis Etienne’s future in Jacksonville?

Etienne is coming off a down year in 2024, as he was surprisingly out-produced by Bigsby. He’s also playing out the final year of his rookie contract, as he’ll earn $6.1 million on a fifth-year option this season.

That contract number, which is fully guaranteed, could make it tougher for the Jaguars to trade Etienne this season. His days definitely feel numbered, however, as Tuten projects as his future replacement — possibly as soon as this year.

MORE JAGUARS NEWS:

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• How NFL experts scored CB Caleb Ransaw to Jacksonville in 3rd round
• What experts are saying about Jacksonville’s bold trade for Travis Hunter
• Jaguars GM sounds off on Travis Hunter trade: ‘Got some familiarity with the F— them picks process’
• Will Travis Hunter play wide receiver, cornerback or both? Latest on Jaguars’ new superstar athlete