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2026 NFL backfield

Jacksonville Jaguars running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Bhayshul Tuten

Preferred handcuff

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez is listed as a co-starter with Tuten.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Bhayshul Tuten’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Jacksonville’s official Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. as co-starters. Rodriguez is therefore the strongest next-man-up choice, with shared-work risk.

Jacksonville’s official Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. as co-starters. Rodriguez is therefore the strongest next-man-up choice, with shared-work risk.

  • availability_unverified
  • stale_availability
  • committee risk

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Jacksonville Jaguars, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Jacksonville Jaguars full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Bhayshul TutenPublished starter		Three-down back2025 · Round 4 · Pick 104active
RB2
Chris Rodriguez Jr.Published handcuff		Early-down runner2023 · Round 6 · Pick 193active
RB3
LeQuint Allen Jr.		Receiving back2025 · Round 7 · Pick 236active
RB4
Ameer Abdullah		Receiving back2015 · Round 2 · Pick 54active
Unlisted
J'Mari Taylor		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Bhayshul Tuten

Age 23 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Explosive breakout candidate who took the bulk of first-team reps in camp and is listed as co-starter with Rodriguez. Coaches say his pass protection has improved markedly, so he is a genuine three-down option — though Allen still owns most passing-down work.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 4 · Pick 104

Drafted by JAX; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 15 recorded games include 83 carries and 10 receptions on 14 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Early-down runner

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Age 26 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Free-agent signing listed as a co-starter with Tuten after taking near-equal camp reps. A downhill, physical early-down and short-yardage runner who would absorb heavy carries if Tuten went down, but not a passing-down back.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Bhayshul Tuten. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bhayshul Tuten. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2023 · Round 6 · Pick 193

Drafted by WAS; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 12 recorded games include 112 carries and 3 receptions on 4 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Receiving back

LeQuint Allen Jr.

Age 22 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessmentDated board designation: Questionable
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Jacksonville's top option on all passing downs in camp and a polished protector, but built as a specialist rather than a volume runner. His Week 1 availability is in doubt with a soft-tissue issue.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Bhayshul Tuten. The dated board currently prefers Chris Rodriguez Jr. for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr.. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 7 · Pick 236

Drafted by JAX; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 16 recorded games include 23 carries and 10 receptions on 11 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB4 · Receiving back

Ameer Abdullah

Age 33 · 12 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

33-year-old veteran kept for third-down reliability and special teams, especially with Allen banged up. Trustworthy in protection; no longer a candidate for meaningful carries.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Bhayshul Tuten. The dated board currently prefers Chris Rodriguez Jr. for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bhayshul Tuten, Chris Rodriguez Jr., LeQuint Allen Jr.. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2015 · Round 2 · Pick 54

Drafted by DET; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 13 recorded games include 14 carries and 16 receptions on 17 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

J'Mari Taylor

Age 24 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

J'Mari Taylor is a rookie listed by JAX at RB, from Virginia. The official roster lists him at 5-9 and 204 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Bhayshul Tuten
1583103865.9
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
1211235307.7
Ameer Abdullah
1314161592.9
J'Mari Taylor
—————
LeQuint Allen Jr.
1623101481.6
Bhayshul Tuten: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1115 touches
Wk 127 touches
Wk 139 touches
Wk 142 touches
Wk 152 touches
Wk 185 touches
Chris Rodriguez Jr.: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 106 touches
Wk 1116 touches
Wk 1311 touches
Wk 1410 touches
Wk 1616 touches
Wk 1817 touches
Ameer Abdullah: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 130 touches
Wk 143 touches
Wk 159 touches
Wk 161 touches
Wk 171 touches
Wk 183 touches
LeQuint Allen Jr.: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 121 touches
Wk 130 touches
Wk 142 touches
Wk 155 touches
Wk 164 touches
Wk 171 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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