Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne or Ke'Shawn Vaughn

Sunday, April 28, 1:02 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said on Saturday that the team is picking up the fifth-year option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr. It's no surprise that the Jags will pick up the options for the former Clemson teammates with the deadline to do so coming next Thursday. The 24-year-old Lawrence has been given even more weapons in Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas after Calvin Ridley left in free agency this offseason. Injuries hurt Lawrence in the second half of 2023, and with better health in 2024, he could easily rebound as a strong midrange QB1 for fantasy. Etienne has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons while also catching 93 total passes for 792 yards. Tank Bigsby could be a thorn in his side as he gets more involved in the backfield, but Etienne is still an attractive fantasy RB in an offense that could be even more explosive this year.

Tuesday, December 19, 12:25 AM

The New England Patriots are expected to sign free-agent running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn to their practice squad. With Rachaad White accumulating 108.1 scrimmage yards per game with seven total touchdowns since Week 7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived the expendable Vaughn on Friday. The Bucs spent a third-round pick on Vaughn in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the tailback never quite made much noise during his Tampa Bay career. The 26-year-old rushed 103 times for 384 yards (3.7 yards per carry) with 14 receptions for 81 yards and three lifetime scores in 43 games. Vaughn is set to serve as backfield depth for the Pats, who let go of Ty Montgomery last week and are currently missing lead back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) to an ankle sprain. Ezekiel Elliott would still handle an every-down role if Stevenson remains out on Christmas Eve against the Denver Broncos.