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    Tuten starts scrimmage, cedes high-value work

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    JAC Running Back #33
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    Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten “got a lot of work between the 20s” during Friday’s scrimmage.

    Tuten operated as the starter, but “eventually, the Jaguars settled into a rotation where Tuten would start the drives before pass-protection specialist RB LeQuint Allen took over on third down, and RB Chris Rodriguez would enter the lineup when the Jaguars got within the 10-yard line. We still don’t know if Allen owns the two-minute drill role, but we know the team values his passing game skill set. He should be considered the favorite for both passing down gigs. If this overall rotation accurately reflects coach Liam Coen’s intentions, Tuten will have a difficult time returning value at his current ADP. That said, Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley notes that “last year’s scrimmage would have told you that Tank Bigsby was the Jaguars’ RB1,” so today’s roles may not be set in stone. Preseason usage could be the biggest tell. Stay tuned.
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  • JAC Running Back #5
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    Allen was expected to take on an expanded receiving role, in addition to his pass-protection duties, but a hip injury has stalled that plan. If active, he is unlikely to do more than help keep QB Trevor Lawrence upright. If he is inactive, the team could employ a committee approach in addressing his vacated duties.
  • JAC Running Back #5
    Jaguars coach Liam Coen said yesterday that Allen would be a game-time decision for Week 1 against the Browns. If active, he should handle his typical pass-protection duties. If he is inactive, running backs Ameer Abdullah, Chris Rodriguez and Bhayshull Tuten could all take on a little extra work, though projecting the exact usage is challenging.
  • JAC Running Back #5
    As expected, Allen did not practice Wednesday. It’s not that fantasy managers were eager to start Allen this week, but his absence would open up more routes and potential targets for Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, who are listed as co-starters on Jacksonville’s Week 1 depth chart. Both C-Rod and Tuten would be slightly better options if Allen is sidelined this weekend.
  • JAC Running Back #33
    Shipley hedges a bit by noting that there’s a chance that one back simply carries the momentum early in the season forward and never lets up, but ultimately falls on the idea that neither back is likely to hit 1,000 rushing yards in 2026. “I think there is a more likely chance we see both running backs hit 750+ yards than one of them hit 1,000,” Shipley writes. Such a split would probably lean towards Rodriguez at the goal line, making him slightly more fantasy-valuable on a weekly basis barring big plays from Tuten. If this prediction comes true, both backs might have trouble cracking the weekly RB2 ranks.
  • JAC Running Back #5
    Coen talked up Ameer Abdullah as a potential replacement for Allen’s duties in pass protection. He also singled out Chris Rodriguez’s abilities in pass pro. Pass protection duties aren’t a direct source of fantasy value, but it usually means that player will be on the field for the two-minute drill, which can generate plenty of receptions for running backs. Bhayshul Tuten not getting those reps would be a notable ding to his fantasy outlook. Allen himself isn’t on the fantasy radar, healthy or not.
  • JAC Running Back #5
    Allen suffered a soft tissue injury during Monday’s practice and the Jaguars announced Tuesday morning that he’ll miss the rest of training camp. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season. While Allen doesn’t have standalone fantasy value, he seemed destined for a legitimate role as the primary receiving back in this offense. If Allen misses time in the regular season, it would boost receiving opportunities for Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez.
  • JAC Running Back #33
    Coen discussed both RB Bhayshul Tuten and RB Chris Rodriguez during his presser. Regarding Tuten, Coen said the second-year back has shown that he has “bought in” over the past year, and complimented his ability to take “hard coaching” while noting his 4.28-second 40 speed. Coen adds that Tuten has to continue working on making his reads and not overthinking things. Regarding Rodriguez, Coen complimented his recent downhill running and blitz pickups. Coen loves consistency at the running back position. This looks like it will be a committee to start the year. That said, if one player separates, things can change quickly. Tuten remains the high-upside pick, although Rodriguez can be productive in his own right.
  • JAC Running Back #5
    Allen’s pass-protection skills have him locked in as the Jaguars’ third-down running back. He played in all 17 games last season, but earned just 11 targets — hardly enough for a PPR-relevant role. Per Shipley, “has gotten more looks in the passing game in training camp this year than he did at this time a year ago.” He adds that it is unclear as to how much more involved Allen will be once the regular season arrives, but he closes by saying that “it does seem like the uptick is about to be very real.” With two other players expected to be involved in the backfield, it could still be tough for Allen to become FLEX-viable, but only time will tell.
  • JAC Running Back #33
    Despite Tuten impressing in training camp per all eyes on the ground and Rodriguez being sidelined for most of the offseason with a foot injury, it remains a split backfield. That’s not a particularly auspicious sign for Tuten, though we imagine this will be a hot hand backfield and probably split in a way where no one actually leaves happy anyway with LeQuint Allen also siphoning third-down plays. The Jaguars have said they’re not playing their starters in the preseason, so this may remain a murky situation through the end of draft season.
  • JAC Running Back #33
    Shipley acknowledges that he keeps writing about how good Tuten has looked, but he reasonably counters that he can only report what he’s seeing. Evidently, he’s seeing Tuten “building a lot of momentum” while RB Chris Rodriguez (foot) is stuck in individual drills. Drafting players in ambiguous backfields has been an established, sharp strategy for years now. Although this bunch could be losing its ambiguity a tad, Tuten’s Rounds 5-6 best ball ADP could still end up being a bargain.

Rotoworld

  • HOU Quarterback #7
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    Texans and QB C.J. Stroud will pause contract discussion until after the 2026 season.

    The two sides worked diligently to get a deal done before the start of the regular season but will now pause discussions until after the year. Stroud was reportedly offered a substantial deal earlier in the offseason but turned it down, now forced to “bet on himself” as he plays out the final year of his rookie deal, minus the fifth-year option. Stroud has been unable to rekindle his rookie year magic while playing under two different offensive coordinators, something he’s looking to remedy in his second season under Nick Caley.
  • ATL Quarterback #13
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Falcons QB Cooper Rush experienced back spasms Saturday but is still expected to start in Week 1 against the Steelers.

    Rush, the team’s third quarterback that is set to start in relief of both Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr, reportedly experienced discomfort in his back on Saturday, with Schefter adding that he is still expected to start against the Steelers. We don’t know what kind of voodoo is working against the Falcons at present, but the team enters Week 1 with all kinds of uncertainty under center. Penix is presumed to be the starter once healthy, with no telling when that could be as he works his way back from a torn ACL.
  • PHI Tight End #87
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    Eagles placed TE Eli Stowers (hamstring, quad) on injured reserve.

    Stowers entered his rookie season unlikely to contribute in a meaningful way but will not be forced to miss the next four games, at minimum, while on injured reserve, something that could stunt his growth at the professional level further. Dallas Goedert remains a locked-in TE1 in fantasy circles moving forward.
  • CHI Wide Receiver #80
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    Bears elevated WR Kaden Davis for Week 1 against the Panthers.

    This wouldn’t be news under normal circumstances but takes on additional meaning with Rome Odunze listed questionable for Week 1. It is of particular note that the Bears already have five wide receivers on the active roster and still chose to elevate another. While recent reports seemed to indicate a sense of optimism regarding Odunze’s potential availability, he could be on the wrong side of questionable given the recent transaction. Fantasy managers will want to confirm his status when the team released its inactives 90-minutes prior to first kick. Luther Burden and Colston Loveland would be in line to benefit greatly should Odunze be unable to go.
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    Titans elevated LB Mohamoud Diabate and S Erick Hallett for Week 1 against the Jets.

    Both players could see situational roles in the team’s opening game. They should not be counted on in IDP leagues.
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    Raiders signed TE Michael Mayer to a three-year, $45 million contract extension.

    The deal was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Mayer’s deal includes $30 million guaranteed and his $15 million average annual value is third among tight ends. The Raiders selected Mayer in the second-round (35th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. He had 300 yards as a rookie and the Raiders drafted Brock Bowers 13th overall the following year. Mayer is firmly on the fantasy radar for Week 1 against the Dolphins with Bowers (knee) sidelined, but his value is unstable as the Raiders’ second tight end.
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    Packers signed TE Tucker Kraft to a four-year, $75 million contract extension.

    The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Kraft’s deal, which runs through the 2030 season, has a maximum value of $92 million and includes a $26.5 million signing bonus. He’s now the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. Kraft had 32 receptions, 489 yards and six touchdowns before tearing his ACL in Week 9 last year. Not on the injury report for Week 1, Kraft is a surefire TE1 even in a tough matchup against the Vikings defense.
  • DET Wide Receiver #14
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    Lions restructured the contracts of WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and LT Penei Sewell.

    According to Over the Cap, the Lions created $35.68 million in cap space. Detroit is now second in the NFL in cap space with around $38 million, which can either be used this year or carry over to 2027. While a big in-season move could come closer to the trade deadline, Lions GM Brad Holmes recently reiterated the organization’s interest in giving contract extensions, which would begin in 2027, to TE Sam LaPorta and S Brian Branch.
  • DAL Running Back #20
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    ESPN’s Todd Archer reports that Cowboys Malik Davis (hip) will have surgery and be placed on injured reserve.

    It is unclear whether this is a season-ending injury or if Davis has a chance to return later in the year. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier that the Cowboys were “bracing for an extended absence” and that a source told him, “it’s bad.” It sounds like Davis’ 2026 season may be over. Cowboys RB Emari Demercado now sits behind starting RB Javonte Williams, and RB Israel Abanikanda is on the practice squad.
  • CAR Quarterback #9
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    NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reports that the Panthers will “likely” decide whether to offer QB Bryce Young an extension in the 2027 offseason.

    Young has two years remaining on his contract, but is currently eligible for an extension. According to Wolfe, Young needs to improve in three areas. First, Young must check down when it’s the responsible thing to do, in turn elevating his completion rate to the “high 60s, low 70s” range. Second, Young must be comfortable playing with tempo and diverse personnel formations, including WR Tetairoa McMillan lining up in the slot more often. Third, Young must play quickly and decisively. Whether he can accomplish these feats is up in the air. He’s a mid-to-low QB2 for fantasy purposes.