The 2022 Fantasy football season is truly underway as drafts fire off across the nation, meaning now is the time to dive into Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne’s ADP to determine whether or not fantasy managers are receiving a value on draft day. After missing his rookie season, will Etienne’s talent shine as managers hope when selecting him in fantasy drafts?
Travis Etienne ADP | Is he worth his current price in fantasy drafts?
As we draw closer to the prime draft season for fantasy football, Etienne currently has an ADP of 42, coming off the board as the RB18. For comparison, James Robinson (RB40) is going around 67 picks later than Etienne (ADP 109).
In PFN’s 2022 PPR fantasy football rankings, Etienne is currently the RB18 as the 38th overall player, showing an equally bullish outlook on the former Clemson prospect.
While it has felt like ages since Etienne was on the field, the upside has not diminished at all. Etienne is projected to be one of the busiest rushers out of the backfield due to his skills in the receiving game. He was one of the leaders in college in his volume, recording 102 total receptions in his four years, with 85 coming in 2019 and 2020, totaling 1,020 yards and six touchdowns.
James Robinson managing to avoid the PUP list is a significant development as he returns from a torn Achilles and will take volume from Etienne. There is also some concern Snoop Conner receives a role as a short-area rusher specializing in goal-to-go areas. However, in half-PPR or even full-PPR formats, Etienne is the higher value RB as a target is, on average, over three times more valuable from a points-per-opportunity/touch standpoint.
As an RB2, Etienne brings massive upside, but there will always be the concern he is Doug Pederson’s new Miles Sanders, who never reached his ceiling due to the committee approach.
Travis Etienne’s projected fantasy value in 2022
Etienne was one of the most explosive players in the country during his time at Clemson. He led the NCAA with 55 runs of 20+ yards during his four years (2017-2020). On those explosive plays, he scored 21 touchdowns and rushed for 2,053 yards, an average of 37.3 yards per rush.
Etienne also had six receptions of 30 or more yards, giving him 61 explosive plays. Why is this important? Because the Jaguars had a combined 31 explosive plays in their last two years combed (worst in the NFL). That upside is what managers are banking on, as Etienne’s college profile is not bulletproof.
By no means do I feel Etienne is a polished back. He demonstrated inconsistent vision at Clemson and struggled with contact balance between the tackles. But when you score 78 touchdowns and average 125.8 scrimmage yards per game over your final three collegiate seasons, that tends to translate to the NFL.
So far this preseason, the Jaguars look vastly improved compared to last year’s circus under Urban Meyer. Sure, this is not saying much, but the spacing, timing, and cohesion are miles ahead. Trevor Lawrence looks far closer to what we have expected, and the receivers are shockingly deep. This will be an improved offense that looks to increase the pace.
In passing situations, Etienne will be on the field the vast majority of the time. That’s key as only once in Pederson’s five years in Philly did the Eagles finish outside the top 10 in passing attempts. While the committee might be annoying at times, no matter which side of it you are on, Etienne has the safest floor and highest ceiling.
