The last time Etienne was on the field for a meaningful game
Trey Sermon and the Buckeyes were smashing Clemson 49-28 in the
NCAA playoff. Due to the Urban Meyer debacle, it was a blessing
in disguise that Etienne missed the entire 2021 with a foot injury.
He returns this year to be the focal point of a young, but potentially
talented offense. The presence of a healthy James
Robinson could eat into his ceiling, but a dual-threat skillset,
creative offensive mind, and a mind-lock connection with college
teammate Trevor Lawrence give Etienne the green light.
As I mentioned in the Brady blurb, I feel like this is a game
the Bucs go particularly run heavy. Speaking of heavy, there was
a bit of consternation about Fournette’s weight this offseason,
but word out of camp was that he is in shape, and ready to roll.
Tampa didn’t bother much with the run when these two teams
squared off to open last season, but with a shuffled offensive
line, pounding the rock seems like a good strategy. Despite the
presence of shifty rookie Rachaad White, Fournette is the preferred
option in all three phases of the offense at this point in the
year.
I totally understand if you’re done going to the well to
take a fresh drink of Barkley. He and the Giants offense were
horrid last season. But now nearly 20 months removed from his
ACL tear, Barkley is getting rave reviews in camp. Throw in a
new set of coaches who actually know offense, a revamped quintet
of blockers and a set of receivers that have serious questions
marks, and you have the makings of a monster season for the former
No.2 overall pick. The injury to impact defender Harold Landry
has put another shadow over this Titan franchise. Barkley touches
the ball 20+ times, and makes a few big plays along the way.
Elliott has been a shell of his former elite self the last two
seasons despite playing behind some strong offensive lines. His
burst and wiggle have disappeared, and it’s not out of the
realm of possibility this is his last year in Dallas. Volume is
going to have to carry Elliott this week as the stingy Buc defense
was one of the best in the league against fantasy backs last season.
The patchwork offensive line, and lack of diversified threats
in the passing game are going to make Elliott a gamble all season.
Patterson, a gadget player and return specialist for most of
his career, came out of nowhere in 2021 to be one of fantasy’s
best running backs. His 1166 total yards and 11 touchdowns were
better than his previous three or four seasons combined! Patterson’s
usage was both a testament to the creativity of new coach Arthur
Smith, and a simple need for playmakers on a terrible team. Entering
his age 31-season it would be folly for the Falcons to lean on
Patterson once again, but they only invested a 5th round pick
on Tyler Allgeier, and signed cast-off Damien Williams. The Saints
held him to 21 yards on the ground in two games last season, so
short of PPR leagues, Patterson is tough to trust in Week 1.
Many expected Hall to be the darling of the rookie runner class
in fantasy, and while that may well come to be eventually, right
now Hall would be lucky to play 50% of the snaps this week. A
likely negative game script gives the advantage to teammate Michael
Carter who is the more trusted receiving back. Hall is the
more talented player, and that should play out in the long haul,
but for the early going, temper your expectations for the 2nd
round rookie.
