Who Should I Start? Jaleel McLaughlin or Bhayshul Tuten

Monday, January 13, 10:50 AM

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin was a complete non-factor in the team's 31-7 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday on wild-card weekend. Like most of the season, Denver's backfield was stuck in the mud and couldn't get anything going to control the game, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the team with 43 rushing yards on four carries. McLaughlin, who had been the leader of a committee backfield late in the season, had only two rushing attempts for minus-two yards while catching his only target for no gain. It was a dismal end to the 24-year-old's second season in the NFL. He finished with 113 carries for 496 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and only one rushing touchdown in 16 regular-season games while adding 24 catches for 76 yards and two more TDs through the air. Denver will surely look to upgrade their backfield in the offseason to give more help to Nix in 2025.

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.