Fantasy managers are running around trying to get every running back they can, whether it’s through trades or waiver pickups. As they are eager to improve the quality of their fantasy team. Tank Bigsby is one of the running backs to watch for after Week 1. He looked sharp on the field and his carries were impressive. Today we are going to look at whether or not fantasy managers should pick him up for their fantasy football team.
Tank Bigsby is a hot topic right now, especially on the waiver wire. Many fantasy managers are already picking him up, and if you haven’t yet, he’s someone you should consider. Waiver wires run Tuesday or Wednesday nights, depending on your league, that’s already past. You might get lucky, he could still be out there as a free agent. Let’s dig into whether Bigsby should be on your radar.
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Bigsby was productive early in college, and that’s a strong indicator that he could transition quickly to the NFL. In his last season (2022), he averaged 4.16 yards after contact, racking up 740 yards after contact and forcing 61 missed tackles. He rushed for 970 yards that season, following a 1,100-yard campaign the year prior at Auburn. Behind a less-than-ideal offensive line in the SEC, Bigsby still managed double-digit touchdowns in his final two years.
He wasn’t drafted to be “the guy,” but he was selected in the third round to complement or back up Travis Etienne. His physical specs aren’t extraordinary, but he’s a back who can grind between the tackles. That’s exactly what he showed this past Sunday. Fantasy managers largely left Bigsby for dead after a slow season last year, drafting him in the 16th round of fantasy leagues. But now, he’s turning heads.
While Bigsby wasn’t on anyone’s radar last year, reports from training camp this summer were encouraging. In Sunday’s game, Bigsby started slowly but then had a breakout moment in the third quarter with a 26-yard run. As of then, he’d only logged six carries, but that big play earned him more touches. He ended the game with 73 rushing yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, and likely secured more opportunities moving forward.
Fantasy Managers Should Consider
Travis Etienne still out-snapped Bigsby, with Etienne seeing a 33% opportunity share compared to Bigsby’s 27%. They split rushing attempts at 46% each, with Etienne also getting the passing game work, hauling in three targets for a solid 16% target share. The two backs have different skill sets: Etienne thrives in open space and in the passing game, while Bigsby is more suited for grinding out tough yards between the tackles. Meaning, when the Jags are up on the scoreboard they’ll probably lean on Bigsby more.
Bigsby’s 26-yard run was a display of his vision, acceleration, and missed tackles ability. He found the hole, kept his balance, and further, was not easy to bring down. Although Etienne will continue to be the focal point, Bigsby demonstrated that he should receive more carries and, if he continues to produce, Doug Pederson will give him opportunities.
After fantasy managers look at the rest of the waiver wire, there are not many other reasonable options out there. Bigsby is on a high-tempo offense with a passer who loves to throw the deep ball, and while he shares the workload, he’s getting enough carries to merit a pickup. It would be interesting to see Bigsby emerge as a very viable, potentially high-end fantasy option should anything happen to Etienne. He has already demonstrated that he can handle an increased workload if necessary.
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