The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering the 2026 season with a chip on their shoulder. After a stellar 2025 campaign that exceeded expectations, the team is flying under the radar despite boasting one of the league's most talented rosters. While pundits have criticized their draft class and questioned the departures of Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd, the Jaguars have quietly positioned themselves as one of the NFL's most dangerous sleeper teams.
Trevor Lawrence is coming off his best season yet, Josh Hines-Allen continues to dominate on defense, and the receiving duo of Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington caught fire last year. The foundation is strong, and now two young players from the 2025 draft class are poised to take the league by storm.
According to Fox Sports analyst Greg Auman, running back Bhayshul Tuten and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter are prime candidates for breakout sophomore seasons. Both players showed flashes of brilliance in their rookie campaigns, but 2026 could be the year they become household names.
Tuten, a fourth-round pick from Virginia Tech, has the clearest path to stardom. With Etienne departing for the New Orleans Saints after a 1,107-yard, seven-touchdown season, the Jaguars are handing the keys to their backfield to Tuten. He impressed in limited action last year, rushing for 307 yards and five touchdowns as the top backup. Head coach Liam Coen's high-octane offense is tailor-made for a dynamic runner like Tuten, and while Chris Rodriguez (signed from Washington) will compete for carries, all signs point to Tuten taking over as RB1.
The Jaguars' draft strategy—bringing in LeQuint Allen as additional depth—suggests Coen is committed to a committee approach, but Tuten's explosive playmaking ability gives him the edge to lead the charge. For a team looking to prove the doubters wrong, Tuten's emergence could be the spark that keeps Jacksonville's offense humming.
As for Hunter, the dual-threat sensation is still finding his footing, but his versatility makes him a nightmare for opposing coordinators. Whether he's lining up at wide receiver or cornerback, Hunter's sophomore leap could solidify him as one of the most exciting young talents in the NFL.
The Jaguars may be underrated heading into 2026, but with Lawrence at the helm and a new wave of breakout stars ready to shine, Duval County has plenty of reasons to believe.