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New Orleans Saints’ Travis Etienne Jr. enters the 2026 NFL season with expectations of contributing to a revamped offense, but fantasy football experts are urging managers to proceed with caution. Despite a proven explosiveness and a strong bounce-back campaign last season, concerns surrounding his new situation have landed the veteran running back on several preseason “Do Not Draft” lists. Etienne rebuilt much of his value with an impressive performance in 2025, reminding fans why he has long been regarded as one of the league’s most dynamic running backs. His combination of speed, vision and pass-catching ability once again made him an important offensive weapon, helping him reestablish himself as a productive fantasy option. That resurgence, however, has not eliminated questions about whether he can deliver similar production in a different environment. The primary concern centers on his transition to New Orleans. While Etienne’s talent is widely respected, fantasy analysts believe his new landing spot introduces uncertainty regarding both his workload and weekly consistency. Changes in offensive philosophy, personnel and backfield usage can significantly affect a running back’s fantasy production, making it difficult to project whether Etienne will receive enough opportunities to justify his current draft value. Another factor influencing his outlook is the growing competition for touches within the Saints’ offense. Modern NFL teams increasingly rely on multiple running backs, often rotating players based on situations and game plans. Even if Etienne remains one of the offense’s most explosive playmakers, sharing snaps in a committee approach could reduce the volume necessary for him to consistently produce high-end fantasy numbers throughout the season. Fantasy Football Expert Adds New Orleans Saints’ Travis Etienne Jr. to Do Not Draft List Etienne heads into the upcoming NFL season under as one of the players who should not be drafted in Fantasy Football. This is explained by Eric Karabell in an analysis for ESPN. New Orleans Saints acquisition Travis Etienne Jr. comes off his best season, but we must be wary of volume concerns. Alvin Kamara, one of the top pass-receiving RBs ever, is still here, and he caught 68 passes in 14 games two seasons ago. Etienne is not productive as a goal-line runner, and he is not catching six TDs again (he caught one in his first three seasons). I don’t see a safe RB2 here. Fantasy football experts also stress the importance of maximizing value during the middle rounds of drafts. While Etienne possesses the athletic ability to produce big plays and change games, managers selecting him at his current average draft position may be paying for his previous success rather than his projected role. That gap between expectation and opportunity has led many analysts to recommend targeting players with clearer paths to consistent touches. Etienne remains talented enough to outperform the skeptics and become an important contributor for New Orleans this season. Still, fantasy football is often determined by value as much as ability, and uncertainty surrounding his role has made him one of the more polarizing running backs entering 2026. For managers looking to minimize risk, waiting for a more favorable draft value or pursuing alternative options may prove to be the wiser strategy.