Who Should I Start? Bhayshul Tuten or Kaleb Johnson

Wednesday, July 2, 12:12 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten was one of the fastest players in the 2025 NFL draft and ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, which was the fastest among RBs. Tuten has often been compared to Miami's De'Von Achane for his home run ability. However, he's on the small side at 5-foot-9 and 209 pounds, and head coach Liam Coen said that Tuten needs to improve in pass protection as he heads into his first year in the NFL. Barring a significant change in training camp and the preseason, Travis Etienne Jr. is expected to remain the team's starting back. The 23-year-old had 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns in 183 rushing yards last year at Virginia Tech. He's raw and needs to improve his ball security and pass protection, but his elite speed could get him on the field sooner than later in Jacksonville.

Tuesday, July 15, 6:48 PM

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo writes that rookie third-round running back Kaleb Johnson is an ideal scheme fit for Pittsburgh Steelers coordinator Arthur Smith's offense after Iowa alum excelled on wide-zone runs with the Hawkeyes. Although the Steelers weren't very efficient, only three teams ran the football more in 2024. The 21-year-old Johnson has plenty of competition in Pittsburgh's backfield in his rookie campaign with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in the fold, but he profiles as the team's back of the future and should get more chances out of the backfield as the season plays out. Johnson has a physical, bruising style and is also patient, which is reminiscent of former RB Najee Harris, but he should produce more big plays after racking up 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries in his final season at Iowa. He'll be more attractive in standard-scoring fantasy formats as an RB3/flex candidate.