Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne Jr. or Quinshon Judkins

Sunday, June 15, 1:24 PM

SI.com's John Shipley guesses that Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. opens the year as the team's lead back. However, Shipley also writes that Etienne, Tank Bigsby and rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen will get some run at some point. Under a new coaching staff, many believed that Etienne's stock would continue to fall after another disappointing showing in 2024, when he had career-lows across the board in carries (150), rushing yards (558) and touchdowns (two) while catching 39 of 52 targets for 254 yards through the air in 15 starts. That could still be the case, especially since the former first-rounder now has to fight off a pair of rookies in addition to Bigsby. Etienne has fallen all the way to No. 35 in RotoBaller's preseason rankings for 2025, but he still has a chance to prove himself in a new offense as the RB1.

Saturday, May 31, 1:09 PM

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns rookie second-round running back Quinshon Judkins will get opportunities with the starters sooner than later. Judkins looks the part of an NFL back and is likely to be a big part of their offense after the 21-year-old was selected 36th overall in the second round this year out of Ohio State. He worked with the first-team and third-team offense during OTA practice on Wednesday. Jackson adds that if Judkins can win the starting job by October, the Browns could trade Jerome Ford, who is still the starting RB but is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Judkins may take a back seat to Ford to open the 2025 campaign, but he figures to be at least close to a full-time contributor by the end of his rookie season. The former Buckeye will command a lot of attention in fantasy in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues.