Should I Draft Tank Bigsby? Fantasy Football Outlook

August 12, 2023

With Jaguars rookie running back Tank Bigsby impressing in training camp, is he worth drafting for fantasy football? Andrew Ball provides a 2023 fantasy outlook for Bigsby.

The Tank Bigsby hype train is full speed ahead ...but driving a tank at high speeds often leads to a breakdown.

The third-round rookie RB out of Auburn has impressed through the first few weeks of training camp, ripping off long runs and catching passes out of the backfield. Plays like this one have had social media buzzing:

Is the rookie RB worth drafting in fantasy football in 2023? Let's break it down.

Jaguars RB Depth Chart

Despite the hype, Bigsby is still second on the depth chart behind Travis Etienne. The incumbent is fresh off of 1,125 rushing yards last season, good for ninth in the league. He's also being pushed by coach Doug Pederson to take that mark to a higher level.

Is Tank Bigsby The Yin To Travis Etienne's Yang?

The narrative surrounding the Jaguars' backfield is that Etienne is a smaller, shiftier back and Bigsby is the bruiser. Although Bigsby has a more physical playing style, Etienne is actually the heavier back, according to the Jaguars' official roster.

The pair complement each other well and both will receive touches, especially on a Doug Pederson-led team. He's notorious for leaning on a committee approach. Throughout his time in Philadelphia plus his one season in Jacksonville, a running back has only topped 13 carries per game once -- Miles Sanders in 2020 (13.7). Last year, Etienne was only trusted with 12.9 attempts per contest. That mark ranked 20th in the league.

Should I Draft Tank Bigsby In Fantasy Football?

Absolutely draft Bigsby, but don't let the hype cause your expectations to get out of control. Bigsby is an insurance back should Etienne suffer an injury, something we've already seen in his short career. The rookie could also split touches with his running mate and carve out a role akin to one we've seen from A.J. Dillon in Green Bay.

Bigsby's current ADP is sitting at 113, one spot below fellow rookie De'Von Achane. Bigsby is an ideal RB4 candidate on draft day for 10 or 12-team leagues or a low-end RB3 in larger leagues.

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