Bhayshul Tuten Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

College Production

Tuten accepted his only Division I offer – from North Carolina A&T – in 2021. After a quiet freshman season, he broke out for 1,370 yards and 13 TDs on 6.6 yards per carry as a sophomore. Tuten added a 30-333-4 receiving line.

Tuten transferred to Virginia Tech ahead of the 2023 campaign and delivered two strong years. He led the Hokies with 173 carries, 863 yards, and 10 TDs in his debut season, while also ranking top five on the team with 27 catches, 239 receiving yards, and two receiving scores.

He was even better on the ground this past year, racking up 1,159 yards and 15 TDs on 6.3 yards per carry. And he did it behind an offensive line that ranked 92nd among 134 schools in Pro Football Focus’ run-blocking grades.

Tuten shined in blocking-independent metrics. Among 31 RBs at this year’s Combine, he ranked:

• 12th in rush yards over expected
• 5th in yards after contact per attempt
• 4th in missed tackles forced per attempt
• 6th in percentage of runs to go for 15+ yards

Tuten was not nearly as impressive in the passing game. He finished with 23 catches for just 81 yards. And, among those 31 Combine RBs, he ranked:

• 29th in yards per route
• 23rd in Pro Football Focus receiving grade

Tuten also had ball-security issues at Virginia Tech, fumbling nine times over the last two seasons.

Athleticism

Tuten boosted his stock with a strong showing at the Combine. He blazed a 4.32-second 40 time at 5'9, 206 pounds — good for a 98th percentile Speed Score. Tuten also posted a 95th percentile vertical and a 96th percentile broad. He earned a 9.56 Relative Athletic Score (out of 10).

Injury History

Tuten played in all 13 games for Virginia Tech in 2023 but missed one game and was limited in another with a left ankle injury last year.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

The Jaguars made Tuten the seventh RB off the board in this spring’s draft, taking him with the second pick of Round 4. The rookie joins Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby in the backfield.

Etienne is coming off his second straight disappointing season, rushing for a career-low 558 yards on a career-low 3.7 yards per attempt. He caught 39 balls but registered another career low with just 6.5 yards per catch.

Bigsby was Jacksonville’s best runner last year. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry and ranked ninth among 47 qualifiers in NFL Next Gen Stats’ rush yards over expected per attempt.

It’s noteworthy, though, that Jacksonville’s new front office and coaching staff have no ties to Bigsby or Etienne.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

The Jaguars surprised no one by firing HC Doug Pederson shortly after the 2024 season ended. They landed Liam Coen as new HC a few weeks later.

Coen arrives fresh off leading the Buccaneers to a fourth-place finish in points and a third-place finish in total yards — up from 20th and 23rd under OC Dave Canales in 2023.

Tampa Bay’s running game was awesome under Coen, ranking:

• 4th in yards
• 2nd in yards per carry
• 8th in DVOA

The engine of the big season was rookie Bucky Irving, who ran for 1,121 yards and finished 13th among RBs in PPR points.

Irving was a Round 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — selected 21 picks later than Tuten.

Supporting Cast

There’s plenty of firepower in this Jacksonville offense. Second overall pick Travis Hunter joins Brian Thomas Jr. to give the Jaguars one of the most talented WR duos in the league. QB Trevor Lawrence has been relatively underwhelming through four NFL seasons, but he’s not lacking in talent and turns just 26 in October. We’re expecting a bounce-back 2025 campaign.

Jacksonville’s offensive line struggled in the run game last year, ranking:

• 25th in ESPN run block win rate
• 26th in Pro Football Focus run-blocking grades
• 18th in adjusted line yards

The Jaguars added C Robert Hainsey and G Patrick Mekari in free agency. Hainsey played under new Jags HC Liam Coen in Tampa Bay. Mekari is capable of playing all five spots on the line but is expected to start at RG.

This still looks like a below-average offensive line, but Coen’s scheme should help mask some deficiencies.