Who leads Jacksonville Jaguars in rushing in 2025? ESPN makes its projection
Who leads Jacksonville Jaguars in rushing in 2025? ESPN makes its projection Which of the Jacksonville Jaguars' running backs will lead the team in rushing? ESPN makes its projection.
ESPN has released its 2025 projections, including rushing totals for the Jacksonville Jaguars' running backs.
Mike Clay puts together these win probabilities and stat projections every offseason for each NFL team. When it comes to the running back production for the Jaguars this season, Clay projects a relatively even split.
Travis Etienne finishes the season with 516 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 4.1 yards per rush. Tank Bigsby leads the way with 671 yards and five rushing touchdowns at 4.4 yards per attempt. Then, rookie Bhayshul Tuten totals 363 yards with two touchdowns at 4.3 yards per rush.
There are unknowns around what this running back rotation will look like this season. Tuten is one of James Gladstone and Liam Coen's 'guys' while Etienne and Bigsby were acquired by former GM Trent Baalke.
Bigsby would rush for 766 yards in 2024 but had three fumbles. Etienne, meanwhile, saw his production dip last year, rushing for just 558 yards at 3.7 yards per rush.
Following the NFL draft, Jeremy Fowler would report that he's talked to multiple people around the NFL who believe that the new Jaguars' regime "is not so high" on Etienne.
However, even if Tuten is the favorite internally, there is still going to be a learning curve that he will have to navigate. With a new offense being implemented, all three backs are starting over in that regard, but there is something to be said for the experience that Etienne and Bigsby have, both on and off the field, at the NFL level.
In the Jaguars' first OTA practice this past Monday, Tuten did put the ball on the ground, an issue he faced in college with nine fumbles over the previous two seasons. But Coen also sees a player who is getting more comfortable with the new scheme and speed of the NFL game.
'I think you put the ball on the ground today, that's kind of stands out,' Coen said of Tuten. 'But I thought last week, as we were kind of getting more into the scheme, he was getting a little bit more comfortable. I thought he started to get a little bit more into it, had a couple better runs of feeling the zone and being able to stick his foot in the ground and accelerate.
"So, good learning experience. You know, first time in a live setting in the National Football League, on your first carry, hopefully you learn something from that moment.
As we saw last season with the Tampa Bay offense under Coen, the running back position is going to play a vital role in the success that the Jaguars' offense has in 2025.
A strong running game will keep the offense ahead of the sticks and out of predictable down-and-distance situations, which can open up opportunities in the passing game. We also saw the Bucs' backs play a hefty role as pass-catching targets.
To help facilitate this, GM James Gladstone has heavily reshaped the offensive line this offseason as well.
Until we get further into training camp and perhaps even into the regular season, at this time, I tend to agree with Clay's projections in that we are going to see all three of these backs utilized somewhat regularly. Or at least that will be the case until someone emerges.
"I think all together, that room, that running back room, has done a nice job in terms of the competition, the acceleration, and the teaching for some of those young guys, and also the veterans doing a nice job of trying to help those guys out as well," Coen added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
27 minutes ago
- USA Today
Steelers WR Roman Wilson has perfect four-word description of Pittsburgh's receiver room
Steelers WR Roman Wilson has perfect four-word description of Pittsburgh's receiver room The Steelers wide receiver room may not have the biggest names in 2025, but they want to succeed more than anyone — and rookie WR Roman Wilson knows this all too well. At Day 5 of OTAs, Wilson was asked to further explain what Steelers WR Robert Woods' "grimy" comments meant for the receiver room — and this was his simple but effective response (courtesy of Steelers Live): "Getting out the mud," Wilson said. "Somebody that wants it more than other people." The Steelers will truly depend on Wilson, Woods, Calvin Austin III and DK Metcalf to 'get out the mud' in 2025 — as the George Pickens trade left Pittsburgh with similar issues to those of the 2024 wide receiver woes. Another wide receiver who may fit this bill is former Jaguars WR Gabe Davis — who is set to visit Pittsburgh on Thursday. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
New York Times
41 minutes ago
- New York Times
What's next for the Lions after Frank Ragnow's retirement
After a few months of clarity and consideration, Frank Ragnow — the All-Pro center who anchored one of the league's best offensive lines — is calling it quits. In the end, Ragnow, 29, is prioritizing his long-term health. His seven-year career saw him play through injury after injury in an effort to help a losing franchise become a winner. Advertisement He'll be remembered fondly for it. 'These past couple of months have been very trying as I've come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I'm officially retiring from the NFL,' Ragnow announced on Instagram on Monday. 'I've tried to convince myself that I'm feeling good but I'm not and it's time to prioritize my health and my family's future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don't. I have to listen to my body, and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.' Ragnow's decision to retire was surprising to many, but not to the Lions. They've been in communication with Ragnow about his future for years, and have tried to prepare for this moment as much as they reasonably could. They've drafted several young interior offensive linemen. They've cross-trained players, and moved quickly to add depth after Ragnow's retirement. Don't think this wasn't on their radar. 'We're not going to pressure him to do anything or make any moves,' Lions general manager Brad Holmes said when asked about Ragnow's future after the 2023 season. 'But the communication will be diligent. It'll be thorough, it'll be respectful.' Ragnow, after years of speculation, is finally ready for the next chapter of life. In turn, the Lions must now navigate life without him. Here's how they can do it. Ragnow will go down as one of the best to wear the Detroit uniform and one of the best centers of his era, earning four Pro Bowl nods and three second-team All-Pro honors in just seven seasons. What he gave the Lions in the run game and in pass protection was special, and his elite preparation and football IQ helped him maximize his talents. He was responsible for alerting potential blitzes to the rest of the offensive line, while acting as a sounding board for his quarterbacks — Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff. He was one of the league's best and brightest and could be left alone on an island because of his rare combination of physical talent and mental preparation. He was a special player. Advertisement Off the field, Ragnow was a beloved and respected figure in the locker room, and a Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist. He helped oversee the transition from Matt Patricia to Dan Campbell and helped the Lions turn things around. Ragnow's contract was extended during this regime's first offseason together, in 2021 — amid a complete roster teardown. That the new guys deemed Ragnow as one of the guys to build around should tell you everything you need to know about him. There is no replacing a player like Ragnow. But the Lions will try. Detroit is positioned as well as a team reasonably could be to overcome his departure. Let's take a look at some of the players who could be asked to handle center responsibilities — either in games or in practice. Graham Glasgow: As things stand, Glasgow feels like the front-runner to replace Ragnow. He's the only player with any meaningful experience at center. Players and coaches applaud him for his knowledge of the game, and at this point it might be his most valuable trait. That would be highlighted more at center than guard, and his ability to play the position was something Campbell himself acknowledged as a strength of Glasgow's back in April. 'Graham's somebody that we still value because he's got versatility,' Campbell said. '…He can also play center. I think people forget that some. Man, he can do an excellent job at center. … So, yeah, we have confidence in him.' Glasgow has been Ragnow's primary backup since his return to the Lions in 2023, and those skills were needed. Glasgow's 2024 season was bumpy, as he allowed the sixth-most pressures among guards in the regular season, and nine more in the playoff loss to the Commanders. Glasgow wasn't fully healthy, but he is getting up there in age and doesn't move as well as he once did. Kicking inside to center could allow him to maximize his football IQ, while providing the Lions with a veteran to help Goff and anchor the offensive line, rather than a rookie. It could also allow the next name on this list to develop at his own pace. Advertisement Tate Ratledge: The only real in-house challenger to Glasgow is Ratledge, a second-round pick out of Georgia. Ratledge primarily played right guard in college and only sparingly played center in practices at Georgia. But he has the goods to handle it, as well as the right mentality. 'Yeah, it's different from guard, of course,' Ratledge said of taking center reps at rookie minicamp, 'But I'm glad I've had prior experience playing center, so it's nothing brand new to me. Coming back out here, getting the feel of it. But as far as center goes, you're taking control of the offensive line, so I kinda like that aspect of it.' Ratledge was a team captain at Georgia, winning two national titles in college. He tested as one of the most athletic interior linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft, with a 9.99 relative athletic score when evaluated at center. His closest athletic comps? Creed Humphrey and Frank Ragnow. Well then — Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) June 4, 2025 In addition to his athleticism playing up at center, Ratledge played through injuries for his teammates, took it personally when his quarterback was touched and is viewed as a cerebral lineman. Sound familiar? If the idea was that the Lions could cross-train Ratledge to get him up to speed quickly enough to play center as a rookie, then Detroit's draft — already strong on paper — looks even better. Now, that's a steep learning curve for a rookie offensive lineman, so the fact that Ratledge has been taking first-team reps in OTAs could be more about the future than the present. But it certainly sounds like he could be the long-term answer. He'll have one of the league's best offensive line coaches — a former NFL center himself, Hank Fraley — showing him the ropes. 'Center is not as natural for him yet, so you definitely tend to give him more reps at that, snapping the ball, making it more comfortable,' Fraley said of Ratledge last month. '… I know the young man, getting to know him more after rookie minicamp and prior to that, he's going to do whatever I ask. …He definitely needs some time (at center), training. It's going to become natural for him. …In time, he's going to get it down and become a pretty good center here.' Advertisement Trystan Colon: On the heels of Ragnow's retirement, it was reported Wednesday that the Lions are signing former Arizona Cardinals G/C Trystan Colon. A UDFA out of Missouri in 2020, Colon has started games for the Ravens and Cardinals in his career, including a career-high seven last season, all coming at right guard. Colon has four career starts at center and that experience makes him an asset on a roster without much besides Glasgow. Colby Sorsdal: A fifth-round pick out of William & Mary in 2023, Sorsdal's future in Detroit has been harder to visualize than other young linemen the team has drafted. They gave him a shot as a rookie, starting three games with mixed results. As a sophomore last season, Sorsdal appeared in just one game and didn't log a single offensive snap — a healthy scratch for much of the season. Sorsdal was a tackle in college and was drafted to play guard, but he was spotted at center during OTAs last week. It could simply be cross-training, or it could help Sorsdal increase his value in a suddenly crowded interior offensive line room. Michael Niese: Niese, in a bit of a surprise move, earned a spot on the 53-man roster out of training camp. When the Lions had a big lead and it was time to empty the bench, Niese replaced Ragnow at times, playing 34 offensive snaps. For Niese to be active most game days and trusted enough to step in speaks to how the Lions feel about him. However, he could be on the outside looking in with some of the new additions to the roster. Kingsley Eguakun: A UDFA out of Florida last year, Eguakun spent the 2024 season developing on Detroit's practice squad. It's an investment that could eventually pay dividends. Eguakun was given a fifth-round grade by The Athletic's Dane Brugler coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft, ranked as the eighth-best pure center prospect. Eguakun is intriguing because the Lions can allow him to grow at his own pace while stashing him on the practice squad. But he has plenty of competition ahead of him. Ragnow's retirement has not been officially announced by the team or filed on the transaction wire, but because it's taking place post-June 1, the Lions have options for how they'd like to handle his cap hit. Ragnow is due a guaranteed option bonus of $3.6 million in both 2025 and 2026, but since he's retiring after June 1, the Lions could split that over two seasons. If the Lions decide to eat those bonuses in 2025, they'd free up $5.6 million in cap space from Ragnow's retirement for the 2025 season, with no cap hit for the 2026 season. Advertisement If the Lions use the post-June 1 retirement to pay out those bonuses over two seasons instead of one, they would free up roughly $9.2 million in 2025 from Ragnow's retirement, while being on the books for a $3.6 million cap hit in 2026. It remains to be seen which direction the Lions ultimately take, but they take a holistic view of the cap over multiple seasons, which is more important than year-to-year figures. In other words, what they do — and don't do — in 2025 affects their plans for 2026, 2027, 2028 and so on. Just because there's more money to use doesn't mean it will be used.
Indianapolis Star
43 minutes ago
- Indianapolis Star
Will small-market Finals bother the NBA? Not necessarily. 'This is the league's future here'
OKLAHOMA CITY – Big stars. Small markets. That's been the verdict on these NBA Finals since the Pacers closed out the Eastern Conference playoffs over the weekend and sealed their place opposite Oklahoma City in this year's NBA Finals. And in the most basic telling, that is an accurate summation of the forthcoming series. But the public's (and the media's) love of easily digestible Nielsen ratings and viewership numbers glosses over what is in many ways a more nuanced discussion. Will Indianapolis and Oklahoma City make for a less commercially successful Finals? Not necessarily. It's important to acknowledge upfront there is some truth to the basic maxims of the TV-market discussion. In most cases, yes, pulling a major audience share like New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles or even Dallas-Fort Worth makes for a better-watched series. That just doesn't paint a full picture, according to Patrick Crakes, a former senior vice president at Fox Sports who now runs his own media consulting firm. 'The NBA Finals is a national event. It's better to have a base from big-market teams, from a mass of viewing, but the whole ecosystem is much more complicated than that,' Crakes said. Think of a television distribution deal as an ecosystem serving three key constituencies: The league (the rights seller), the carriers (Turner Sports, ESPN, etc.) and the distributors (Comcast, DirecTV, YouTube TV, etc.). Those constituencies are concerned with their own self-interests, yes, but in many cases, those interests overlap or align. These deals are also negotiated as large packages, with inventory (games) from the regular and postseasons all bundled together. ESPN/ABC did not secure the rights solely to these Finals. The money culled from the Finals is just a portion of the overall measure of the commercial success of the deal in a fiscal year. Per Crakes, advertising often constitutes approximately 20-30% of the overall financial pie, a meaningful number but not a decisive one. And much of that income that's attached to the playoffs is derived not from the showpiece Finals, but from the early rounds, where TV partners broadcast the largest sheer quantity of games. Yes, bigger markets in later rounds makes a difference, but sometimes not as much of one as a busy, engaging start to the postseason. Good, long series in rounds one and two will fill the advertising-dollars bucket long before the Finals. Short, uncompelling sweeps can leave a hole no big-city viewership or last-minute dramatics will fill. 'Postseason economics, a lot of it gets determined by the first couple rounds. That's where all the inventory is,' Crakes said. There are also headwinds untethered to a market share, or an individual sport's popularity. The rapidly fragmenting viewer ecosystem has prompted small dips in ratings for even America's most popular sports. Consumers no longer need easier-to-quantify access points to live sports like traditional carriers (Comcast, DirecTV, and so forth), with cord cutters eating into wider TV share. More fans come to games via social media, be it through highlights, real-time updates or other links back to the games themselves. There is an extent to which these Finals will be impacted by shifting viewer habits no matter the markets involved, whether it's No. 1 New York, No. 25 Indianapolis or No. 47 Oklahoma City (per SportsMediaWatch). Which circles back to one of Crakes' basic points: The Finals can also appeal across a wider base irrespective of market size. 'If you think about a total package of how NBA rights work,' Crakes said, 'it's important to keep in mind that small-market finals, like what we're about to see, that feature some of the game's best young players, that are going to be around for the next 15 years, being showcased, is not a bad thing for the league.' Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's star turn this season has included a scoring title, his first-career MVP nod and a center-stage role for the winningest team in the NBA. There has been perhaps no more compelling individual storyline in these playoffs — certainly in the Eastern Conference — than Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton's ascension into the elite tier of the league's guards. Around them orbit meaningful subplots (Jalen Williams' remarkable year, Pascal Siakam's impact in Indy, the dynamism presented by Indiana's backcourt depth, Chet Holmgren's continued development). The sport by nature puts fewer players on the floor, offering a bright spotlight to its stars. And unlike in football or baseball, those stars are often involved in games for long stretches, unfettered by offense-defense swaps or at-bat limits. In many ways it's easier to sell stars in the NBA, so long as they deliver their best. Whether the uniforms they wear say New York, Indiana or OKC, compelling performances from those players will go a long way toward determining the commercial success of the series upcoming. 'This is the league's future here,' Crakes said. 'The Thunder are fantastic. If the Pacers give them a series, my guess is everybody gets interested, even in New York and L.A., and it carries along just fine.' Which leads into the most fundamental determining factor in this discussion: The series has to entertain. Crakes worked at Fox Sports in October 2000, when the Yankees and Mets delivered their famed 'Subway Series." Top to bottom, the company was energized by the prospect of capturing a compelling championship dominating the country's biggest market. Instead, despite the fact that every game was decided by one or two runs, national interest never materialized. The favored Yankees eased to a 4-1 series win in front of a national audience that delivered what was at that time the lowest-rated World Series in history. 'The thing was a giant dud, because the rest of the America (wasn't interested),' Crakes said. 'You can be the dog that caught the car when you wish for these things.' Which means, of course, the same can be said in the opposite direction. Oklahoma City and Indiana have been, across the season's final months, arguably the two best teams in the NBA. Their records since Jan. 1 are first (Thunder) and fourth (Pacers) in the NBA. The Thunder finished with the league's best record and, while Indiana's path might have been smoothed slightly by Boston's bow-out, by almost any measure the Pacers have been playing championship-level basketball for five months. If that continues in this series — if Indiana can stand toe-to-toe with Oklahoma City and turn this into a six- or seven-game series — it will drive viewership everywhere. Likewise, an uneventful series decided in five games or fewer wouldn't do well, regardless. 'The real component in how successful something like this is, is a seven-game series,' Crakes said. 'That's where the gold is. Game 6, Game 7, and if we get to that with this series, this Finals will do just fine.' Of course, there's an extent to which the Finals will own the airwaves anyway. With football in hibernation, and baseball entering its summer dog days, the NBA Finals are virtually always a ratings winner. Crakes pointed out there can be long-term benefits for the league in small-market success. The last decade has seen Cleveland, Toronto, Denver and Milwaukee all win the NBA championship, strengthening the league's exposure in those markets and suggesting efforts to even the playing field between big- and small-market teams are paying dividends. 'The system's working. The small-market teams are figuring out ways to compete with the big-market teams,' Crakes said. 'This is an opportunity for these smaller markets to continue to have a deeper relationship with the NBA.' As with so much in sports, the impact of this series will be determined foremost by what the NBA makes of it. Does Oklahoma City complete a season of dominance? Do the league's two best teams at this time of year deliver a compelling Finals? Does this mark the transcendent moment for one of the NBA's young stars? All those things can, in the long term, matter as much as raw viewer data. The tendency to compare across years is reflexive. The sport's ownership of the national stage at this point in the annual calendar, though, is undeniable. 'This is going to be a gigantic number,' Crakes said. 'It's going to rate better than anything else, probably anything else at this point in the summer, and the economics are already largely in the bank.'
