Who Should I Start? Tony Pollard or Travis Etienne Jr.

Wednesday, August 6, 1:06 PM

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is listed as the RB1 on the team's first unofficial preseason depth chart ahead of Tyjae Spears. Meanwhile, Spears is listed as the co-RB2 with rookie Kalel Mullings. Head coach Brian Callahan has envisioned more of an even split in this year's backfield between Pollard and Spears, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said earlier this week that "people I've talked to in Tennessee believe Spears has positioned himself for an uptick" in opportunities after he averaged 9.5 touches per game last year. Assuming everyone is healthy, Pollard is probably the RB1, but the margin figures to shrink between he and Spears in 2025. It puts Pollard more on the RB2/3 borderline, while Spears is a decent RB4/flex target in PPR leagues or as a handcuff to Pollard. In his first year in Tennessee, Pollard had a career-high 1,079 rushing yards and five TDs on 260 carries.

Tuesday, August 12, 8:09 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are listed as co-starters on the team's unofficial depth chart. Nevertheless, it was Etienne who looked like the "top option" during Tuesday's practice, according to John Shipley of SI.com. Etienne broke some long runs and looked more comfortable as a receiver than the Jaguars' other backs. The 26-year-old dealt with cramps at the end of practice, but it doesn't seem there's much concern over that. After back-to-back productive seasons from 2022-23, Etienne's output fell off a cliff over 15 games last year. The former Clemson star totaled career-low marks across the board as a runner with 558 yards and two touchdowns on 150 carries. As a receiver, he chipped in 39 catches for 254 yards and no scores. Etienne is now stuck in a crowded RB room with Bigsby and a pair of promising rookies in Bhaysul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr., making him a risky option from a fantasy standpoint.