The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2026 season with plenty of questions about their running backs, specifically whether Bhayshul Tuten could adequately replace Travis Etienne. Now, the second-year running back is proving all the doubters wrong.
According to Pro Football Focus, Tuten currently has the highest offensive grade of any running back in the NFL this season, earning a 91.9 grade through Jacksonville's first seven games.
That's ahead of Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (91.0), Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs (89.9), Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (87.3), and Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson (86.4).
TOOT TOOT pic.twitter.com/7BVyk4QbxC
— PFF (@PFF) November 3, 2026
The ranking especially stands out considering PFF wildly underrated
the Jaguars' running back room before the season started. In August, the outlet ranked all 32 NFL running back rooms and placed Jacksonville dead last. PFF expressed skepticism about Tuten and fellow running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., noting that while the two offered speed and power, there wasn't much to get excited about.
And it wasn't just PFF expressing skepticism. ESPN also identified running back as one of Jacksonville's biggest weaknesses following Etienne's departure, who left for the New Orleans Saints in free agency after rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 13 total touchdowns in 2025. Meanwhile, Tuten had rushed for just 307 yards on 83 carries during his rookie season, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt.
But Jacksonville's decision to trust its younger running backs is looking increasingly promising.
Through seven games, Tuten has rushed for 492 yards and three touchdowns on 110 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. He has also emerged as a weapon in the passing game, adding 15 receptions for 181 yards and another three touchdowns.
His latest performance against the Indianapolis Colts only strengthened his case. During Jacksonville's 42-7 victory on Sunday, Tuten rushed for a career-high 104 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He also caught two passes for 55 yards and another score, finishing with 159 yards from scrimmage.
PFF grades aren't the same as traditional production rankings, and Tuten still has much of the season ahead of him. But the contrast is difficult to ignore. Tuten entered the season with significant questions about his ability to replace Etienne, and is now outperforming some of the NFL's biggest names, all according to the same outlet that previously ranked Jacksonville's backfield last in the league.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars' Bhayshul Tuten earns NFL's highest PFF running back grade
