Will Travis Etienne Repeat His Fantasy Success?

Jul 12, 2024

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Selecting the highest-performing running back in fantasy football can be a testing chore. Rightfully so, as no player has finished as the top running back in consecutive seasons in half-PPR scoring since Todd Gurney did it in 2017 and 2018. While players like Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, and Derrick Henry have been reliable top-10 performers most years, some new faces emerged amid the league’s highest scorers. One of them is Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne. Is he a new regular among the top scorers?

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A Season To Remember

Travis Etienne enjoyed a memorable year in 2023, finishing as RB3 in half-PPR scoring. His 267 rushing attempts were the fourth most in the league, and he scored 11 rushing touchdowns, putting him in sixth in that category. He also had the sixth-most receptions (58) and fifth-most receiving yards among running backs (476.) Only five backs had more targets than Etienne, and he was third in touches. A dynamic back that handles the ball often is every fantasy manager’s dream.

Overall, Etienne has a track record of staying healthy despite his rookie season ending before it began. He suffered a Lisfranc ligament injury during the preseason and was placed on injured reserve. Since then, he has played 17 games each year, and he had a 73% snap rate in 2023 (sixth among RBs with multiple games played).

Etienne is a threat with the ball in his hands. He posted 8.9 yards after contact per reception (YAC/R) per Pro Football Reference, ranking seventh in the league. His average depth of target (aDot) was a negative number (-.8 yards), but he still managed 8.2 yards per reception (YPR). He managed this feat largely due to leading the league with 31 broken tackles.

Jaguars Offensive Outlook

In 2023, Jacksonville threw the ball 620 times and amassed 4,377 passing yards. More of the same is in order this season. The revolving door that is free agency saw Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones exit while Gabe Davis entered. The Jags also selected a first-round speedster, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who can take the top off of the defense. This potent passing offense fits hand in glove with a running back who contributes both as a runner and receiver.

The team has improved on an offensive line that performed near the league’s bottom last year. They signed center Mitch Morse and re-signed guard Ezra Cleveland after a mid-year trade brought him to town in 2023. Fourth-round rookie Javon Foster adds depth at tackle. The running back room saw little turnover. Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson return as the primary backups, while a fifth-round pick and two undrafted rookies join the mix.

Why Travis Etienne?

Etienne has benefitted from considerable consistency on offense. He has played alongside the same quarterback since college, while Jaguars’ head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor return for a third season. New running backs coach Jerry Mack joins the staff after three seasons at the University of Tennessee.

With a solid understanding of the offensive system, Etienne has a safe floor due to his workhorse role. With no threat to his playing time, Etienne will continue to operate as an every-down player. He is a surefire top-12 running back with overall RB1 potential.

Etienne’s current ADP of RB9 (23 overall) is a bargain. At cost, I prefer him to Jonathan Taylor, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, Kyren Williams, and Derrick Henry.