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Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby had a monster breakout game in Week 5. He rushed for 101 yards on 13 carries, good for 7.77 yards a carry, and had a pair of explosive touchdown runs. He also caught one pass for 28 yards.
It was a surprise for fantasy managers, who had been bombarded with news about his poor rookie season. Luckily for us, players develop, and it looked like he took a big leap in the offseason. There were rumblings about him being fantastic in the preseason, so his first big game wasn't completely unprecedented.
He now has the attention of the fantasy football world and NFL fans. So was Tank Bigsby's game legit or a fluke? Will Tank Bigsby continue to dominate? Should you add Tank Bigsby in your fantasy leagues and start him in Week 6?
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Why Did Tank Bigsby Have a Huge Game?
He had a dominant performance because he routinely made more out of plays than the defense gave him, consistently had successful runs, broke off multiple big plays, was virtually impossible to tackle on certain plays, and was a fantastic all-around player. The term "dawg" comes to mind. He looked like an actual tank.
Tank Bigsby this season:
* 1st in Rush Yards Over Expectation Per Attempt
* 3rd in PFF grades
* 50.0% Success Rate
* 1st in Yards Per CarryTravis Etienne this season:
* 18th in Rush Yards Over Expectation Per Attempt
* 55th in PFF grades
* 56.6% Success Rate
* 27th in Yards Per… pic.twitter.com/EhijcgYYEL— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) October 7, 2024
He easily outperformed lead running back Travis Etienne Jr., who left early in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury and didn't return. Great players elevate their teams, and Bigsby willed the Jaguars to victory. He was instrumental in their first victory of the season, and he worked hard for it.
Tank Bigsby ranks amongst ALL RBs*:
🔹 FIRST (1st) in Yards After Contact per Attempt (6.47)
🔹FIRST (1st) in Missed Tackles Forced per Rush Attempt (18 MTF on 34 attempts)
He’s called TANK for a reason 💪🔥
*min 10 carriespic.twitter.com/IJJK0mAdoF
— Matt FF Dynasty 🏈 (@MattFFDynasty) October 7, 2024
No one ranks at or near the top of the NFL in these running back statistics on accident. He's had a fantastic few games and he's earned himself a bigger role in the offense.
Will Tank Bigsby Continue to Dominate?
It's difficult to say with certainty. Bigsby's efficiency is incredible, and the Jags coaching staff would be unwise to not give him more opportunities. That said, there are rumors that head coach Doug Pederson (and possibly some of the offensive and defensive staff with him) could be fired.
#Jaguars HC Doug Pederson on whether Tank Bigsby will replace Travis Etienne atop the depth chart:
“No, not at all. Travis is our guy. Tank had a good game, that’s just the way games go.”
Pederson has a 35% reliability rating on depth chart coachspeak pic.twitter.com/GALzbYRd4C
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) October 6, 2024
Ironically, his stance on the player this article is about could be the thing that gets him canned. Of course, he has such a low-reliability rating that it's tough to trust what he says. He likely throws up smokescreens to guard information about usage and the depth chart.
There are committee backfields that house two startable running backs, and Jacksonville may produce one this season. To this point, the backup has outproduced the starter. Does this remind you of someone? New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara made a name for himself as the backup to Mark Ingram II.
Tank Bigsby, the most-explosive rusher in the NFL?!?!?
- 6.5 yards after contact per rush LOL
- 51% avoided tackle rate!!! pic.twitter.com/YaDhJe3rzW— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) October 7, 2024
His combination of skills makes it a tough job for defenses to stop him. If he gets the work he deserves and the Jaguars stay relatively healthy on offense, he should have a nice season and put up more big games.
What Will The Rest of Tank Bigsby's Season Look Like?
It depends on how involved he is in the offense. He's been so efficient that with reasonable volume he should continue to be at worst an RB2/flex player given the lack of depth at the position. The Jaguars do have a poor offense, so it's possible that running room could be difficult to find, but the emergence of WR Brian Thomas Jr. could keep defenses honest.
Brian Thomas reaches the FASTEST speed by a ball carrier this SEASON (22.15 mph).
It's the fastest speed by a Jags ball carrier PERIOD since 2016 (via @NextGenStats) pic.twitter.com/rFEJI4JWqv
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 6, 2024
Thomas can take the top off defenses. He's the fastest man in the league this year, clocking in at an incredible 22.15 mph on his 85-yard touchdown catch. That's good for the fifth fastest in the last seven seasons. The trio of Thomas, WR Christian Kirk, and TE Evan Engram should make a formidable threat.
When Engram returns, quarterback Trevor Lawrence should be able to author a consistently productive passing attack. If defenses stack the box to stop Bigsby runs, expect them to be burned over the top or shredded in the short and intermediate game. Kirk is a fantastic route runner and Thomas' speed makes screen passes lethal.
The biggest question is the offensive line. It has played poorly this season. But it might not matter much. Bigsby demolishes the field, hilariously blowing out the rest of the league at avoided tackle rate and yards after contact. He's in a class of his own so far.
Tank Bigsby lol pic.twitter.com/ovW4GaUWZZ
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 7, 2024
It's a good sign when chart-makers have to zoom out because one player is so far on the top right (the good part of the chart).
Should I Pick Up Or Start Tank Bigsby In Week 6?
There is no question now that he should be rostered in every league. Any player who puts up 20+ points while breaking numerous tackles, creating multiple explosive plays, and outplaying every other player at his position on his team should be a priority pickup in every league.
He's only owned in 32% of Sleeper leagues. Many of his managers likely also drafted Etienne and have Bigsby as a handcuff. But he's shown that he has standalone value and massive upside. Some players are so talented that the coaching staff is forced to use them, and unlike Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks, Bigsby hangs onto the football.
Tank Bigsby in Week 5:
🪖 101 rushing yards
🪖 105 rushing yards after contact (1st) pic.twitter.com/DDoyjwc4t1— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 7, 2024
If you have a chance to get him, make sure you take it. He deserves a solid amount of FAAB in leagues with bidding systems for waiver claims and any priority pickup in leagues with rolling waivers.
His game wasn't a fluke, and he could easily put up more double-digit point performances. He probably won't score 25+ points per game in every game the rest of the season, but he showed his potential.
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