Today, we continue our series on players to target in your dynasty leagues this season. Let’s keep the train moving as we break down our next recommended dynasty target, Travis Etienne!
Should you BUY the injury bounce back?
Travis Etienne missed his entire rookie year due to a Lisfranc injury (foot) sustained during the 2021 preseason. He is expected to be fully healthy for the start of the 2022 season. Etienne also avoided the disaster that was Urban Meyer, and Doug Pederson is now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Also, Etienne’s competition for touches, James Robinson, ruptured his Achilles tendon in Week 16 of 2021. I do not expect Robinson to be fully healthy to start the 2022 season. Finally, do not forget that Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne were college teammates at Clemson.
Travis Etienne was a prolific touchdown scorer in college with 78 touchdowns on 788 touches (.099 TD/touch), so he scored a touchdown about every 10 touches. At 5’10” and 215 lbs and with a 12.2% target share his senior year, Etienne showed he could be a three-down running back. Running back fantasy value in half and full PPR leagues is all about maximizing opportunities to touch the ball, and receptions are the most valuable touches. While Doug Pederson was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles (2016-2019) the running backs averaged 16.5% of the target share. Etienne will have plenty of opportunities for touches in 2022.
What is the value?
According to DLF, Travis Etienne’s ADP, as of May 2022, is RB19 at pick 48 (1-QB startup). Before Etienne’s injury in 2021, his ADP peaked as RB17 in August 2021. Then after his injury, his value dipped to RB24 in September 2021. I am optimistic that Etienne performs well in 2022, which means his value will continue to improve since he is still young (will be 23 years old for the entire 2022 season). Therefore, it is reasonable to predict his value to be closer to RB12 for 2023. Now is the time to take advantage of Etienne’s value at the end of the 4th round of your startup draft.
On the trade market?
If you are already in a dynasty league then you obviously can’t draft Travis Etienne since your startup draft is over so you must make a trade to acquire him. I will preface that every league values players differently, so pay attention to other trades happening in your league to gauge the value of players. In one Superflex league, I’ve seen Etienne traded for Zach Wilson (QB, Jets). In another Superflex league, Etienne was traded for Kenny Pickett (QB, Steelers) and a 2023 2nd-round pick. There was another trade in another league of Etienne for the 2022 1.06 rookie pick. Finally, I’ve seen a trade of Etienne for Saquon Barkley (RB, Giants). There is a wide range of value for Etienne based on rookie picks, young quarterbacks, and another running back that has dealt with several injuries lately. Travis Etienne was my favorite side in all of those trades, and you did not have to give up significant assets that would hurt you in the future if Etienne does not perform as well as hoped. Start making offers for Etienne now before we hear too many positive reports from training camp this summer because that will only push his cost up before we even see Travis Etienne step on the field.
That concludes our Dynasty Target article on Travis Etienne.
For dynasty coverage during the offseason, tune into our dynasty football podcast “Dynasty 365” this week to help you get ready for start-up drafts and make smart moves to improve your current dynasty roster.
