Fantasy Football Player Notes

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.

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.