Fantasy Football Player Notes

Last season, Chris Olave had easily the most productive season of his NFL career, as the WR7 in fantasy points per game. Olave spiked a career-high nine receiving touchdowns and proved yet again that he should be mentioned in the same breath as the most talented receivers in the NFL. Among 109 qualifying receivers, Olave was tenth in target share (27.2%), ninth in receiving yards per game (72.7), 19th in yards per route run (2.09), ninth in first-read share (33.8%) ,and 28th in first downs per route run (0.095, per Fantasy Points Data). Olave will again be Tyler Shough's unquestioned WR1 in what we expect to be an ascending offense. Olave is a locked-in WR1 for 2026 who could take another step if Shough progresses. Jordyn Tyson's latest hamstring injury will linger into the regular season, which bumps Olave a tad bit further up the WR1 ranks.

Travis Etienne excelled last year as the Jags RB1 with an RB13 finish in fantasy points per game. After a down 2024 season, it was nice to see the new Saints' lead back bounce back. He lands with New Orleans after a season where he was 11th in snap share, 13th in opportunity share, tenth in weighted opportunities, and fifth in red zone touches. Etienne soaked up 296 touches, producing 1,399 total yards. He's set to see a similar workload in 2026 with the Saints. Etienne was disappointing on a per-touch basis, ranking 37th in explosive run rate, 31st in missed tackle rate, and 34th in yards after contact per attempt. Those metrics are worrisome, but Etienne should see enough volume that it won't matter this season. He's a solid RB2 that could outkick that projection if the Saints' offense takes a leap forward and surprises this year.

Tyler Shough is a wonderful late-round quarterback who could be a QB1 in 2026. Last year, in Weeks 12-18, Shough was the QB6 in fantasy points per game while averaging 25 rushing yards per game. That rushing yardage mark per game would have placed him at 12th-best last year had he kept it up for the entire season. In Weeks 12-18, among 30 qualifying quarterbacks, Shough was 12th in yards per attempt and highly accurate throw rate, ninth in hero throw rate, and seventh in passing yards per game (per Fantasy Points Data). With Travis Etienne, Bryce Lance, Oscar Delp, and Jordyn Tyson added to the offensive firepower this offseason, I expect the Saints offense to take another leap this season if Shough is up to the task, which his strong finish to last season says he is primed for.

Jordyn Tyson should become the second target in the Saints' offense this season once he's healthy, but right now his health for the 2026 season is the biggest question. Sadly, Tyson is dealing with another hamstring injury that will linger into the regular season (possibly into Week 7). This automatically makes him a player that I'm avoiding unless he slips past his ADP. Tyson is a decent bet as your WR4/5, but it's impossible to trust him in fantasy this season as more than that. Over the last two collegiate seasons, Tyson has ranked 60th and 11th in yards per route run and 12th and 15th in receiving grade (per PFF). Last year, in Weeks 12-18, New Orleans was fifth in neutral passing rate and 11th in pass rate over expectation. Tyson can't be counted on for more than a midseason flex play or stretch-run difference-maker at his point and that's only if his problematic hamstrings permit it.

Last year, Juwan Johnson finished with a career high in targets, receptions, and receiving yards as the TE11 in fantasy points per game. The Saints' offense caught fire in the back half of last season, and with the trade of Rashid Shaheed and no other complementary option stepping up alongside Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson saw his role grow. With the arrival of Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance, and Oscar Delp this offseason, Johnson could see his role diminish somewhat unless Tyler Shough takes a big step forward and he's able to support at least three receiving options weekly in the offense. Tyson's latest hamstring injury does create a lane for Johnson to reprise his late-season usage of 2025. Last year, among 54 qualifying tight ends, Johnson was 13th in target share, seventh in receiving yards per game, 15th in yards per route run, 11th in first-read share, and 23rd in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Johnson could be a TE1 again this season, but he's best viewed as a TE2 with upside. With Tyson slated to miss the first few weeks of the NFL season, Johnson is also a nice candidate to pair with someone like George Kittle if you're waiting on tight ends in drafts.

Alvin Kamara is a late round/handcuff option in fantasy drafts this season, assuming that the knee injury he sustained in training camp doesn't linger into the season. After an offseason of speculation that he could be traded or cut after the signing of Travis Etienne, Kamara is entrenched with the Saints for the 2026 season. Kamara had another injury-marred season in 2025 as he missed the tail end of it with an MCL sprain. Kamara produced 2.56 yards after contact per attempt in 2025 (44th out of 49 qualifying backs, per PFF) and a career-low 0.78 yards per route run. Neither of those are amazing efficiency marks, but as a passing-down specialist and change of pace this season, he could easily see his numbers trend back up if his knee can get back to full health during the season. It's not like it's been forever since we have seen Kamara be an elite receiving back. In 2024, among 45 qualifying backs, Kamara was first in target share (19.6%), second in yards per route run (1.93), and 13th in fantasy points per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Kamara would return to every-down workhorse status for the Saints if Etienne were to miss any time, but if Etienne stays healthy, he should be an interesting flex play weekly in PPR formats.

Devaughn Vele should see an expanded role to start the season with Jordyn Tyson sidelined with a hamstring injury. In his last four games with the Saints last season, he averaged just south of 10 PPG in half-PPR (minimum WR4 production for all four games).

Brutal stretch to start the year (toughest for the first two weeks).

Charlie Smyth is a wonderful flier to take at kicker that could pay off handsomely this year. He was the K6 in fantasy points per game. Sadly, he is in a competition for the starting job in camp, but he could be a big-time winner for fantasy purposes if he nails down the job. Last year, among 37 qualifying kickers, he was 34th in field goal % made, but he was four of six from 50 yards or more. With the Saints' offense exploding down the stretch, Smyth was attempting 2.6 field goals per game, which over an entire season would have amounted to 45 field goals, which would have been third-most in the NFL.

Bryce Lance has the opportunity to crack the Saints' starting lineup coming out of camp now, with the upcoming lengthy absence of Jordyn Tyson as he deals with another hamstring injury. Tyson could be out until Week 7 or 8 of the regular season. Many drafters will automatically gravitate to Devaughn Vele in the final round of their drafts, but I have little interest in Vele. Vele hasn't been able to prove himself to be a consistent target earner, and his 1.34 career yards per route run is middling at best (per PFF). Lance is a blazing-fast field stretcher who can threaten a defense at all three levels. In his final collegiate season, among all FBS/FCS wide receivers with at least 50 targets, he ranked sixth in yards per route run, eighth in yards per reception, and eighth-best in receiving grade. Lance is a fantastic last-round lottery ticket that could pay huge dividends in 2026.