The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2026 fantasy football season with a compelling backfield storyline, as second-year speedster Bhayshul Tuten and former Washington Commander Chris Rodriguez vie for starting responsibilities.
Tuten, who posted a 4.32‑second 40‑yard dash and has already shown proficiency in the passing game, is slated to dominate early‑down carries and is projected as a reliable RB2 thanks to the high‑octane offense led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence and coach Liam Coen.
Chris Rodriguez, despite lacking elite speed, brings quality vision and a proven running style that the coaching staff values, and his two‑year, $10 million contract signals that Jacksonville intends to utilize him in goal‑line and third‑down situations alongside LeQuint Allen Jr.
While Rodriguez may occasionally relieve Tuten on the ground, his role is expected to be situational rather than primary, giving fantasy managers a modest but strategic option when the Jaguars face short‑yardage scenarios.
Fantasy Outlook
Fantasy analysts view Tuten as the safer bet for consistent production, while Rodriguez offers upside in specific matchups, making both worth monitoring throughout the season as the Jaguars lean on a dynamic backfield that also includes Travis Etienne Jr. and the creative spark of Lawrence and Coen.