2 Jaguars training camp battles fantasy football managers must have their eye on
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Fantasy football championships are often decided by identifying emerging opportunities before the rest of your league catches on. The Jacksonville Jaguars enter the 2026 season armed with an intriguing offensive philosophy under head coach Liam Coen. He has opened the door for several key position battles. Trevor Lawrence remains the unquestioned centerpiece of the offense. However, the supporting cast is still sorting itself out. For fantasy managers, two competitions stand above the rest. One will determine how Jacksonville replaces a significant workload in the backfield. The other could produce one of the league’s most intriguing late-round tight end sleepers.
New offensive identity
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesThe Jaguars approached the 2026 offseason needing to maximize Lawrence by building an offense capable of creating explosive plays while becoming more efficient in high-leverage situations.
That vision is rooted in Coen and Grant Udinski steering the offense. They will have a system built around play-action, balanced personnel groupings, and creating mismatches through versatility. Throughout organized team activities and into training camp, Jacksonville has emphasized physical practices and constant competition across the depth chart.
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The offense remains a work in progress.
Quarterback timing continues improving each day, while coaches rotate personnel packages to determine which combinations produce the greatest efficiency. That process has created intense battles at multiple positions, but none carry greater fantasy implications than running back and tight end.
With Travis Etienne no longer occupying the featured role in the backfield, an enormous workload has become available. Meanwhile, Coen’s historical preference for utilizing tight ends has transformed that role into one of the more fascinating competitions in camp. Fantasy football managers should be watching both situations carefully.
Backfield battle
No position battle in Jacksonville will have a greater impact on fantasy football than the race to replace Travis Etienne’s production. At the center of that competition stands Bhayshul Tuten.
Throughout the opening weeks of training camp, Tuten has consistently worked with the first-team offense. He has showcased the explosiveness that made him one of the roster’s most intriguing offensive weapons. Coaches have praised his patience reading blocks and his comfort catching passes out of the backfield. Those two traits could ultimately determine whether he becomes a true feature back.
Still, fantasy football managers should not assume the workload belongs entirely to him. Chris Rodriguez Jr presents a legitimate challenge. Rodriguez was brought to Jacksonville because of his familiarity with Coen’s downhill rushing philosophy. He thrives in short-yardage situations, consistently moves the chains, and excels near the goal line. Those responsibilities matter tremendously for fantasy production.
If Rodriguez becomes Jacksonville’s preferred option inside the five-yard line, he could significantly reduce Tuten’s touchdown ceiling despite handling fewer total touches. Likewise, if Rodriguez earns consistent opportunities on early downs, Tuten’s overall workload becomes more difficult to project.
Tight end competition
Liam Coen has historically relied heavily on multiple-tight-end formations. His offenses frequently utilize 12 personnel to disguise intentions before the snap. That can force defenses into difficult coverage decisions. That philosophy immediately elevates the importance of Jacksonville’s tight end competition.
Brenton Strange already possesses valuable chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. Strange finished last season playing some of the best football of his career. His combination of reliable hands and dependable blocking makes him a complete player capable of remaining on the field in virtually every situation. Training camp has reinforced that standing.
That said, Nate Boerkircher has quickly forced himself into the conversation. During camp, Boerkircher has consistently flashed his ability to stretch defenses vertically. Coaches have rewarded those performances with increased opportunities alongside the first-team offense. Perhaps the most interesting development has been Jacksonville’s willingness to deploy both players together.
Throughout camp, Coen has regularly incorporated 12-personnel packages featuring Strange and Boerkircher simultaneously. That signals that tight ends may become a far larger component of the passing game than they have been in recent seasons. That creates both opportunity and uncertainty.
Keep watching Jacksonville
Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesJacksonville’s offense appears poised to look significantly more explosive in 2026. That will create opportunities for fantasy football managers willing to study training camp developments closely.
The running back competition between Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will ultimately determine whether Jacksonville produces a featured fantasy back or a frustrating committee. Meanwhile, the evolving tight end battle between Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher could uncover valuable late-round production at one of fantasy football’s thinnest positions.
Neither battle may be officially decided before Week 1. Still, preseason snap counts, situational usage, and Trevor Lawrence’s developing chemistry with each player will provide fantasy managers with invaluable insight.