Travis Etienne Jr.
vs Derrick Henry

“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.”

“Derrick Henry is the first player to make a second appearance in the 10 Most Intriguing article. How could we omit King Henry in a week when he faces his former team, the Tennessee Titans, for the first time ever? Henry played for the Titans from 2016 to 2023.”

“Derrick Henry did almost all of his damage in the first half (11 carries, 51 yards, the touchdown) before falling off to just 5 carries for 17 yards after intermission as Baltimore’s offense stalled. He got 75% of his rushing yardage in the first half alone, before Baltimore’s offense went cold in the fourth quarter. Overall usage: 16 carries for 68 yards (1 TD), plus a true 4 targets/4 rec/28 yds once his penalty-erased catch is counted.”

“There is always concern about Henry’s red zone work being siphoned off by the legs of Lamar Jackson , and while the Ravens QB did have a rushing TD, Henry got plenty of work inside the 20, leading the league in rushing yards in the red zone this week. The consistency that Henry brings near paydirt should keep him as a regular on this list for most of the season.”

“The ageless Derrick Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries Sunday, becoming the focal point for the offense after receivers Zay Flowers and Jakobi Lane left with injuries.”

“Ravens Ravens RB Derrick Henry is 10th all-time in rushing going into the 2026 season with 13,018 yards. A typical season would push him all the way to No. 6 on the list ( Curtis Martin , 14,101 yards), and a classic peak Henry season could propel him past Adrian Peterson at No. 5 (14,918 yards). Henry has had over 1,900 yards rushing twice in his career.”

“Derrick Henry is being overlooked as a major value again this year. Even in a “down year,” Henry still had 16 touchdowns on his way to an RB7 finish without a full season of Lamar Jackson and on a dysfunctional offense.”

“While Henry is no spring chicken, fantasy players should have no fear drafting him as a low-end RB1. He has played 17 games in three consecutive seasons. Furthermore, the future Hall of Famer has totaled at least 1,150 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in four consecutive years, finishing as a top-eight running back every season.”

“Much like fine wine, it just seems like Derrick Henry is getting better with age. However, only the 1972 Miami Dolphins and Father Time are undefeated. King Henry is coming off a career season in which he had 27 carries in the 5-yard line. There isn't anyone challenging him on the depth chart for touches, so the only concern in 2026 is age and the departure of center Tyler Linderbaum.”

“Derrick Henry is entering his late-career danger zone, and the depth behind him is paper-thin.”

“Every season fantasy managers wonder whether Derrick Henry is finally slowing down. Jake Ciely isn't buying it. His reasoning is simple. Henry's draft cost continues to fall even though his production hasn't. Ciely also pointed out that Henry's fantasy scoring remains remarkably consistent regardless of game script, making him one of the safest veteran running backs available. At his current ADP, he's comfortable betting on Henry one more time.”

“If Lamar Jackson can bounce back, Henry could inch back closer to his 2024 production (RB4 in fantasy points per game). He's at worst a low-end RB1 with top-five upside.”

“For all of his accolades as the league's most physical runner, Henry is a non-factor in Baltimore's passing game. With 20 or fewer receptions in eight of Henry's 10 NFL seasons, a sudden shift turning him into the next Christian McCaffrey or Jahmyr Gibbs is not envisioned.”