Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne Jr. or Tahj Brooks

Tuesday, January 27, 4:29 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. was motivated in his contract year in 2025, and he delivered with 1,399 scrimmage yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns (seven rushing, six receiving) in 17 regular-season games. The 27-year-old posted his third 1,000-yard rushing season in his four years in the NFL, and it was a huge bounce-back campaign for the former Clemson star after he had only 558 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 2024 in 15 games. Determining Etienne's 2026 fantasy value is hard at the moment, since we don't know yet if the Jaguars plan to make an effort to re-sign him as he heads into his fifth year in the NFL. Etienne certainly outperformed expectations this year, but if he goes elsewhere, he might not see the kind of volume he did for the Jags as a dual-threat RB. If he stays in Duval, Etienne will be trying to hold off Bhayshul Tuten, who seems destined for a bigger role in 2026.

Wednesday, December 31, 12:58 AM

Cincinnati Bengals rookie running back Tahj Brooks has totalled just 45 yards on 16 carries to go with one catch for nine yards on two targets in 15 games this season. Brooks has been firmly entrenched as the Bengals' RB3 behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine for his entire rookie campaign, relegating him mostly to special teams duties. The rookie sixth-rounder has cracked a double-digit snap share in just four games this season. However, seven of his 16 carries have come in the past two games, with the Bengals eliminated from playoff contention. With Brown posting big numbers in recent weeks and Perine continuing to be a reliable veteran on passing downs, it will be tough for Brooks to see many more opportunities in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cleveland Browns.