Nick Underhill notes the New Orleans Saints are pivoting to a post-Alvin Kamara reality, establishing Travis Etienne as the true three-down focal point of the offense. This high-volume prediction follows a season where Etienne commanded a 69.2-percent Opportunity Share and produced 13 total touchdowns on the ground and through the air.
At the same time, The New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Jeff Duncan writes that “it would not be shocking” if the New Orleans Saints parted ways with Alvin Kamara this offseason. A divorce “might be in the best interests of the star RB and the team that drafted him nine years ago.”
Operating as the team’s workhorse, Underhill projects Etienne to post 235 carries and 42 receptions yields a baseline of 231.5 PPR points, framing him as a high-end RB2 with definitive RB1 upside. At 27.4 years of age, Etienne is still an anchor RB for fantasy football dynasty leagues.
The New Orleans Saints announced on Tuesday that they agreed...
The Minnesota Vikings announced on Thursday that they placed...
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler rushed three ...
Alvin Kamara is on-track to play a key role for the Saints for now, but his ultimate endgame in New Orleans is completely up in the air as beat reporters look for clarity on his contract situation. The team has been actively utilizing newly signed Ty Chandler all over the formation, experimenting with a versatile satellite role out wide and in the slot that directly mirrors Kamara’s traditional utilization profile.
If Kamara is moved, projection models dictate a high-end workload for Travis Etienne coming off a 2025 season where he logged 260 carries and a 4.3-yard rushing average. However, if Kamara is in a Saints uniform Week 1 of the NFL season, it caps Etienne’s weekly ceiling. Regardless of Kamara’s roster status, the Saints offense will provide enough scoring opportunities for Etienne to post fantasy RB1 numbers in 2026.
The Vikings found a gem when they handed the running back reigns to 2022 5th round pick running back Ty Chandler late last season. Chandler was able to provide the run game with an explosive spark that it largely lacked outside of his performance. Fantasy managers were excited about the budding breakout candidate with a full workload going into 2024, but those hopes were quieted with the signing of former division rival Aaron Jones, presumably to be the lead back. Local reporters observing camp thus far along with ESPN’s Dan Graziano’s conversations within the organization allude to a 1a/1b platoon type approach to open the 2024 season. Chandler rushed for 33 yards on 7 carries yesterday while the 29 year old Jones rested.
Ty Chandler and Aaron Jones possess similar skillsets with Jones likely being the better pass catcher. Jones figures to get the first carry on opening day, but it appears that Chandler will have a significant role and earn touches as well. Jones is currently an early 5th round pick around pick 65 in redraft, with Chandler being available much later in drafts in round 11 around pick 141. Based on the reports with usage, Chandler could be an excellent value, and would be a high end rb2 if Jones misses time.
Ty Chandler made a splash at the end of last year, and looked like he had the potential to lead the Vikings backfield in 2024 before they signed Aaron Jones. While many expect Jones to have a workhorse role in Minnesota, teammate Harrison Phillips expressed the sentiment that the Vikings have two true number 1 running backs. There figures to be plenty of fantasy relevance for the Vikings backfield with rookie J.J. McCarthy behind the helm, as you can expect the team to rely on the running and short passing game to not overwhelm their young signal caller.
This type of teammate and coach speak in June isn’t something to overreact to. Chandler is a solid handcuff to Jones but doesn’t project as a flex play unless something were to happen to Jones. Jones has struggled with injuries the past few years, so it’s wise to plan on him missing a few games, and you can expect Chandler to fill in seamlessly when that time comes.
The Minnesota Vikings have informed Alexander Mattison that he will be released. A year after moving on from Dalvin Cook, the Vikings have now moved on from last season’s Week 1 starter Mattison.
In 2023 offseason Mattison signed a two-year deal. This was Mattison’s chance to become the bell-cow running back others thought he could be. After, an underwhelming performance during the season and injury the Vikings turned to Ty Chandler. The move saved Vikings $3.35 million, while creating $1.25 million in dead money against the salary cap.
Looks like the Vikings will move forward with Ty Chandler and most likely add another running back either via draft or a veteran through free agency. As for Mattison this could be the last we hear of his fantasy relevance after being in Minnesota for 5 years.
Minnesota Vikings RB Ty Chandler took over the starting position on the depth chart after a Week 15 ankle injury to Alexander Mattison, and with Mattison’s impending return, Chandler seems to have earned the job outright.
According to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, in a press conference, even when Mattison returns, Chandler is, “gonna be a guy that we’re trying to get the ball to a lot, both in the run and pass,” adding that Mattison will provide “bonus depth.” Mattison’s return is unknown, but could be as early as Week 16 vs. Detroit. While he hasn’t been ruled out, he was not included in the week’s Wednesday walkthrough.
Chandler is coming off a game in which he recorded 26 total touches and finished as PPR RB4. He is averaging 4.65 yards per carry and 7.19 yards per catch to Mattison’s respective averages of 3.93/6.44. Repeats of his Week 15 performance against Cincinnati could make Chandler a league winner in the fantasy playoffs.
