Nico Collins
vs Travis Etienne Jr.

“I do not need TEN to turn this into a shootout if Collins catches a couple of TDs before the game gets away.”

“Without Collins, Stroud averaged 0.5 touchdowns per game and 6.3 yards per attempt; with Collins active, those numbers jump to 2.0 touchdowns per game and 9.2 yards per attempt, along with a 50-yard-per-game increase. This week is a tale of two 0-4 teams, with the Texans heading to Tennessee, who are probably slightly less surprised to be 0-4. The Titans allow the fourth-most wide receiver fantasy points and rank 25th in EPA allowed against the pass.”

“Jason: Dalton Schultz @ IND Doctor Schultz should be plugged right back into your lineup if Nico Collins misses another game due to a hamstring injury. He posted 12 catches for 140 yards last week against the Bengals, and should continue TE1 production as one of CJ Stroud ’s primary targets. Fantasy Forecast Mark Konezny-Imagn Images LAC @ BUF (BUF-7, O/U 50.5) Andy was tempted to make the Chargers his almost-upset of the week, but the Bills and Chargers have looked too opposite of each other to start the season.”

“Schultz is a must-start as long as Collins remains sidelined. That’s especially true this week against an Indianapolis defense that’s given up over 1,000 yards in two games and just got shredded by Travis Kelce . Beyond that, he appears to be headed for another top-10 fantasy season, something he’s accomplished in five of the last six seasons.”

“Nico Collins is Houston’s unquestioned No. 1 WR — he had the highest true target share, highest route participation and a touchdown on the same drive as his own erased deep shot. Collins commanded a true 12 targets (up from an already team-high 10 official targets) and a 28.6% adjusted target share.”

“Nico Collins – 10 targets, 7 rec Collins is the unquestioned alpha WR in Houston. He set a new career-high with 120 targets last season, and he has yet to play a full 17-game season. If he can stay healthy, he will likely be a target leader all season long.”

“Nico Collins finished eighth amongst all wide receiver options in PPR leagues last season. Collins crossed the goal line on six occasions and hauled in over 70 passes for 1,117 yards.”

“Playing in 15 games last season, Nico Collins had a 21.7% target share, catching 71 passes on 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. This season, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel have another season under their belt. The Texans’ running game should be better with David Montgomery .”

“Etienne has posted a respectable 11.8% explosive run rate and 18% missed tackle rate. Etienne could be an RB2 with a bad matchup this week, but he’s best viewed as a risky flex at this point until his usage improves. The Raiders have allowed the tenth-lowest explosive run rate, the seventh-lowest rushing success rate, and the fourth-lowest missed tackle rate.”

“Kamara is clearly the more involved receiver (6 targets to Etienne’s 2); Etienne is the marginally more efficient runner (3.1 vs. 1.7 YPC). First-half usage: Kamara handled the bulk of it — 5 carries for 10 yards across Q1-Q2 (all of Q2’s carries were his) vs. just 2 carries for 9 yards for Etienne (both in Q1, on the opening drive).”

“As long as this offense funnels heavily through Chris Olave , Etienne looks like a completely non-useful fantasy asset who is utterly dependent on TD efficiency to crack your starting lineup. Conclusion: Sell Travis Etienne Jr . if you still can. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Cleveland Browns Denzel Boston (93%) It is time to officially sound the breakout alarm for rookie second-rounder Denzel Boston .”

“I noted on the Friday DFS Pod that I thought Travis Etienne was a really interesting leverage play as he was essentially the only Saints player not getting steamed up this week. Once Alvin Kamara was ruled out (Knee), I thought Etienne became an even better play given that we could project a bump in his pass catching role. Again, the result didn’t go my way here with Shough passing stacks getting that insane come-from-behind pass volume, but I was really happy with my ownership read, getting him at just 12% in this contest.”

“It’s easily Travis Etienne for me, and I’m struggling to understand why we’re still getting him at RB17. Etienne was the RB6 in points per game in 2023 and RB12 last season, and his career 13.2 PPG is essentially identical to Kenneth Walker ‘s 13.3.”

“” – Adam Dove ( The Fantasy Couriers ) Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – NO) “ Travis Etienne is sitting around RB18 in Half-PPR ECR after finishing as the RB13 in points per game last season and putting up 1,399 total yards.”

“He signed a massive deal with the Saints this offseason after rushing 260 times for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while also catching 36 passes for 292 yards and six more scores. Etienne will get plenty of action in the passing game and will be the team’s undisputed No. 1 RB.”

“Travis Etienne Jr. bounced back in a big way last season, amassing 1,100 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns for the Jaguars. He's headed into arguably an even better situation in New Orleans, at least in terms of backfield competition. Etienne posted an RB10 overall finish in 2025 with a 65.1% snap share. If that climbs up closer to the 75% range in New Orleans (which feels realistic given the depth chart), I don't see why he can't hit 1,500 rushing yards.”

“The Saints signed Travis Etienne to headline their backfield, but among 43 running backs with at least 150 touches last season, Etienne was 27th in yards per carry (4.3) and 33rd in percentage of rushes that went for zero or negative yards.”

“Etienne is too good a talent for the Saints to put him in a legitimate time share of any kind. Kellen Moore's offense has been capable of producing big fantasy numbers for running backs as well.”

“Travis Etienne is a free agent in 2026 (signed with the New Orleans Saints). They did draft two RBs in last year's draft, likely knowing they could lose ETN on the open market.”