Who Should I Start? Bhayshul Tuten or Brashard Smith

Tuesday, June 9, 9:33 AM

Sports Illustrated's John Shipley writes that Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten continues to shine during offseason workouts at mandatory minicamp, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. still out after recently having a procedure on his foot. The team still isn't in pads, but Tuten "left the defense firmly in his dust on several big runs in team drills," and he "continues to look like one of the most explosive elements of the entire offense." Rodriguez is expected to be back for the start of training camp in late July, but Tuten has put himself clearly in the pole position for primary lead-back duties in Duval as he heads into his second season in the NFL. The 23-year-old former fourth-rounder out of Virginia Tech carried the ball 83 times for 307 yards and five touchdowns, and added 10 receptions for 79 yards and two more TDs as a pass-catcher in 15 regular-season games in his rookie campaign as a change-of-pace option behind lead back Travis Etienne Jr. Etienne is now in New Orleans, though, giving Tuten obvious breakout potential as an explosive home run threat in Jacksonville's emerging offense under head coach Liam Coen. C-Rod will be a threat to vulture TDs at the goal line, but right now, Tuten has clear RB2 upside, and he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 25 fantasy RB for 2026.