Travis Etienne Jr.’s reputation in fantasy football circles is rapidly deteriorating in 2025, as a large number of fantasy managers move to trade him away. In July alone, he became the fourth-most-traded player with 481 transactions, according to PFSN’s Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer. This decline marks a stark contrast from Etienne’s promising early career, highlighting a troubling trend related to falling efficiency and shrinking opportunities on the field.
The Jacksonville Jaguars running back’s downturn is a significant reason for this swift market reaction, as fantasy players recalibrate their expectations due to his persistent underperformance despite advantageous game situations.
Statistical Evidence Underscores Etienne’s Decline
Travis Etienne’s 2024 season was notably poor in terms of efficiency. His average of 3.7 yards per carry was the lowest in his career, and concerningly, not a single one of his 150 rush attempts surpassed 22 yards. Such numbers represent a clear regression from his previous outputs.
What makes this decline especially perplexing is that Etienne experienced his easiest running conditions yet. In 2024, Jacksonville faced fewer heavy defensive boxes—meaning eight or more defenders near the line—than at any point before, theoretically creating more space for rushing. Instead of capitalizing on these lighter fronts, his yardage and explosive play rates dwindled sharply.
Advanced analytics paint an even deeper picture of Etienne’s struggles. Among 46 running backs with at least 100 carries last season, he ranked 45th in fantasy points relative to what was expected based on his usage and game context. He produced just 79.1% of the projected fantasy points, placing him only ahead of Nick Chubb—himself recovering from a major knee injury—who posted 78.4%.
The most talented running back on the Jacksonville Jaguars is no doubt Travis Etienne… If Liam Coen uses him to his strengths he could be one of the biggest values in startups. He’s a dynamic player, use him in space and off tackle and he will thrive. pic.twitter.com/y1ThlLXLeC — Snoog’s Fantasy HQ (@FFSnoog) June 17, 2025
Jacksonville’s Draft Choices Reflect Growing Lack of Confidence
The Jaguars’ recent draft moves signal organizational doubt about Etienne’s future role. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they selected Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round, a move that many interpret as a lack of faith in Etienne’s ability to be the team’s primary ball carrier moving forward.
This decision follows the 2023 third-round selection of Tank Bigsby, who led Jacksonville in carries (168), rushing yards (766), and touchdowns (seven) last season. Both Bigsby and now Tuten present stiff competition for carries and touches within the backfield.
Tuten’s playing style differs from Etienne’s, as the 5’11”, 215-pound rookie is a between-the-tackles runner adept at chunk gains and short-yardage conversions—areas where Etienne has struggled significantly. Investing draft capital at running back twice in recent seasons suggests that Jacksonville no longer regards Etienne as the foundational piece in this position group.
How Fantasy Managers Are Reacting to Etienne’s Fall
Fantasy football owners are responding swiftly to Etienne’s diminishing role and productivity. The surge in trades away from him underscores a growing consensus that his disappointing 2024 campaign was not simply the result of bad luck or insufficient blocking but a signal of lasting decline.
Despite this, Etienne’s average draft position still reflects residual optimism based on his earlier potential. However, fantasy managers view him as a high-risk choice for 2025, as his reduced efficiency and the Jaguars’ expanding backfield competition limit his upside.
One critical concern is Etienne’s absence of explosive plays. In fantasy, running backs who produce few long runs rely heavily on volume and touchdown consistency to maintain value. With Tuten’s arrival and Bigsby’s established role, Etienne’s opportunity to regain fantasy relevance appears increasingly narrow.
Broader Insights from Etienne’s Decline in Fantasy Football
Etienne’s rapid fall highlights the uncertain nature of relying on draft pedigree and early career flashes when projecting sustained success in the NFL and fantasy leagues. While his sophomore year showed signs of promise, the league demands consistent performance and the ability to adjust to defensive adaptations.
When efficiency drops noticeably across rushing metrics, it often points to ingrained problems unlikely to self-correct. Fantasy football rewards managers who spot these trends early, and current trade data from PFSN indicates that many are already moving away from Etienne, recognizing that his combination of fading production, organizational uncertainty, and increased competition present too many risks to ignore.