Travis Etienne

Travis Etienne Jr.'s 2025 fantasy football outlook is mixed, with notable challenges but also reasons for cautious optimism. After a disappointing 2024 season where he dealt with a shoulder injury early and hamstring troubles that hindered his efficiency, Etienne finished as more of a shaky RB3/flex option rather than a reliable starter. His per-carry production last year was among backup-level, with only 2.3 yards after contact and an 8% missed tackle rate, a significant dip from his earlier career form. These struggles were compounded by increased competition in the Jaguars backfield from Tank Bigsby and rookie Bhayshul Tuten, who both earned opportunities under the new coaching staff.

Despite last year's setbacks, Jaguars coach Liam Coen expressed a strong belief in Etienne's abilities during the 2025 OTAs, highlighting his vision, skill in the screen game, and consistency. This has created some buzz around Etienne as a potential fantasy sleeper this season, especially given his capacity to make plays in space, which could give him a valuable role even if his workload is reduced. However, expectations should be tempered because his touches might be split significantly, and the offense continues to evolve under new leadership.

From a health standpoint, Etienne appears to have recovered well from his rib and hamstring injuries that limited him sporadically last season. There is no current injury designation restricting his play in 2025, and he has been actively participating in team activities after an OTAs absence due only to a flight issue. His ability to stay on the field will be critical if he hopes to reclaim a more prominent role in the Jaguars' offense and improve his fantasy value.

Looking ahead, 2025 may be Etienne's final year under contract with Jacksonville, adding some uncertainty about his future role. Fangraphs and fantasy experts suggest he could either bounce back to a more productive, dynamic contributor like in 2022–2023 or see his touches reduced as the team explores other options at the position. Given his injury history, diminished efficiency, and backfield competition, drafting Etienne should be approached with caution; he currently profiles as a high-risk, moderate-reward RB3 with flex appeal rather than a top-tier running back.

Updated 08/23/2025