Opinion: Travis Etienne is the best RB prospect since Barkley

[remedy29]

I'm sure you must realize how absurd that statement is. Saquon's rookie year will be better than all three if their entire careers combined.

People were paying 4 firsts for Barkley. It was absurd.

Michael and Penny can't stay healthy and Guice is a total sleeze. Lot of factors go into these things.

While I'm not a Barkley truther or anything I'd just note that Barkley helped a lot of owners win championships his first year and was a good contributor his second year. None of the other guys you mentioned have contributed at all so I don't think your initial statement is accurate.

Do you think the majority of Barkley rookie year owners went worse (pick 1.01) to championship all because of Barkley's great fantasy rookie season? Perhaps team's spent high to trade for him and won, but even then, have to think that trade crippled their fantasy team for years to come.

[Cameron Giles]

Kevin Durant also happens to be one of the best scorers and shooters...ever. So, it's a tougher comparison. An all-time great would certainly have a better chance of still being really, really good post-surgery, even if they lose a little bit of explosion and movement.

Whereas...James Robinson? Who knows.

Kevin Durant was also out for 552 days after tearing his Achilles. Y'know, just so long as you're sure this is the comparison you want to make.

He also doesn't play a sport where it's legal AND encouraged "best practice" for someone to dive at your knees and legs to completely halt your forward momentum. Repeatedly. Like, 20 times a game.

I personally don't think I'd invoke a 7 foot tall all-time-great shooter as a comparison to an NFL running back, personally. But I think some people here remember my opinions on that.

The point is the ability to recover, not a comparison of what they do or what skills are needed. I just find it incredible that Durant was able to come back and be more explosive at his age, while Kobe was never able to fully recover. Looking into it treatment has changed, which has likely made a significant difference.

Treatments are always evolving. Kobe Bryant at the time was getting the best treatment in the world for his Achilles. But, Kobe was also 35 years old when he tore his.

Just as Durant made a full recovery this year, there was a player in MLB this year who re-tore his achilles during rehab this season. All of these players are getting the same treatment, but it's still up in the air as far as returning to form. Evolving treatment can still lead to players not returning to form.

[thebeast]

Kevin Durant was also out for 552 days after tearing his Achilles. Y'know, just so long as you're sure this is the comparison you want to make.

He also doesn't play a sport where it's legal AND encouraged "best practice" for someone to dive at your knees and legs to completely halt your forward momentum. Repeatedly. Like, 20 times a game.

I personally don't think I'd invoke a 7 foot tall all-time-great shooter as a comparison to an NFL running back, personally. But I think some people here remember my opinions on that.

The point is the ability to recover, not a comparison of what they do or what skills are needed. I just find it incredible that Durant was able to come back and be more explosive at his age, while Kobe was never able to fully recover. Looking into it treatment has changed, which has likely made a significant difference.

Treatments are always evolving. Kobe Bryant at the time was getting the best treatment in the world for his Achilles. But, Kobe was also 35 years old when he tore his.

Just as Durant made a full recovery this year, there was a player in MLB this year who re-tore his achilles during rehab this season. All of these players are getting the same treatment, but it's still up in the air as far as returning to form. Evolving treatment can still lead to players not returning to form.

actually the treatment has significantly changed leading to far better results. You should google it if you’re interested. It was pretty interesting to learn about. There are a lot of assumptions around here that aren’t lining up with the actual scientific information available.

[thebeast]

People were paying 4 firsts for Barkley. It was absurd.

Michael and Penny can't stay healthy and Guice is a total sleeze. Lot of factors go into these things.

While I'm not a Barkley truther or anything I'd just note that Barkley helped a lot of owners win championships his first year and was a good contributor his second year. None of the other guys you mentioned have contributed at all so I don't think your initial statement is accurate.

Do you think the majority of Barkley rookie year owners went worse (pick 1.01) to championship all because of Barkley's great fantasy rookie season? Perhaps team's spent high to trade for him and won, but even then, have to think that trade crippled their fantasy team for years to come.

Maybe, but do you really equate Barkley to the other guys mentioned? Not to mention Barkley still has upside if he can get away from the Giants and go somewhere that has actual linemen.

[Patsfan86]

I dont think Etienne is Barkley but i definitely do think he is a unique talent who is perfectly suited for todays NFL. The upside on Etienne is immense like an Alvin Kamara. Trevor Lawrence also knows Etiennes tendencies and that shouldnt be forgotten about. If Etienne goes out there and makes Lawrence a better player then he works his way into elite volume.

[MEuRaH]

I dont think Etienne is Barkley but i definitely do think he is a unique talent who is perfectly suited for todays NFL. The upside on Etienne is immense like an Alvin Kamara. Trevor Lawrence also knows Etiennes tendencies and that shouldnt be forgotten about. If Etienne goes out there and makes Lawrence a better player then he works his way into elite volume.

For the record, I didn't compare Etienne to Barkley, I compared him to CMC/Kamara just like you did.

Gotta read/scan the OP to get my full opinion as to what I meant.

[Orenthal Shames]

I dont think Etienne is Barkley but i definitely do think he is a unique talent who is perfectly suited for todays NFL. The upside on Etienne is immense like an Alvin Kamara. Trevor Lawrence also knows Etiennes tendencies and that shouldnt be forgotten about. If Etienne goes out there and makes Lawrence a better player then he works his way into elite volume.

For the record, I didn't compare Etienne to Barkley, I compared him to CMC/Kamara just like you did.

Gotta read/scan the OP to get my full opinion as to what I meant.

Any updated insights? Still just as bullish?

[Patsfan86]

I dont think Etienne is Barkley but i definitely do think he is a unique talent who is perfectly suited for todays NFL. The upside on Etienne is immense like an Alvin Kamara. Trevor Lawrence also knows Etiennes tendencies and that shouldnt be forgotten about. If Etienne goes out there and makes Lawrence a better player then he works his way into elite volume.

For the record, I didn't compare Etienne to Barkley, I compared him to CMC/Kamara just like you did.

Gotta read/scan the OP to get my full opinion as to what I meant.

Ya, i got you, this thread has just devolved into being about Barkely. Are you still as high on Etienne?

[Patsfan86]

Finally have some news on him, ive never seen a player be this hush about recovery, total opposite of Cam Akers where we heard something every week. Take this how you want.

\https://www.rotowire.com/football/player.php?id=15385

[StripesOfKC]

Seeing how fast Akers recovered value I want to buy some Etienne

I don't think he is as good of a talent as Akers and the situation is way worse but it seems clear that we are starved enough for young RB talent around the league that it won't take much for Etienne to re-gain value

Could make a tidy profit if you missed the Akers buy window

[Orenthal Shames]

Seeing how fast Akers recovered value I want to buy some Etienne

I don't think he is as good of a talent as Akers and the situation is way worse but it seems clear that we are starved enough for young RB talent around the league that it won't take much for Etienne to re-gain value

Could make a tidy profit if you missed the Akers buy window

ETN had a different injury. Robinson had the Achilles. I'd consider both buy-lows.

[StripesOfKC]

Seeing how fast Akers recovered value I want to buy some Etienne

I don't think he is as good of a talent as Akers and the situation is way worse but it seems clear that we are starved enough for young RB talent around the league that it won't take much for Etienne to re-gain value

Could make a tidy profit if you missed the Akers buy window

ETN had a different injury. Robinson had the Achilles. I'd consider both buy-lows.

Oh I know. I think the end result is the same though

Etienne just needs a solid game or two in his first 4 next year and you'll have someone ready to pay low RB1 prices

[FantasyFreak]

Seeing how fast Akers recovered value I want to buy some Etienne

I don't think he is as good of a talent as Akers and the situation is way worse but it seems clear that we are starved enough for young RB talent around the league that it won't take much for Etienne to re-gain value

Could make a tidy profit if you missed the Akers buy window

Has he? I mean, his value has recovered from just after the injury, not that he's back playing, but he was top 5ish at his position, and first round start up value. Can't imagine he's close to that again. What do we think Akers value is at right now? I am just privy to the talk on these boards, and obviously it's too early to tell his startup value a day later, but where are your thoughts on his value in rookie picks, and what do you predict his startup ADP will be? I'd be interested in Etienne, but the Jags offense is my biggest concern. Unlike Akers, he's not in a good offense at the moment. What would you say is a good price to pay for Etienne? Curious what others think would be the "buy price" for him.

[StripesOfKC]

Seeing how fast Akers recovered value I want to buy some Etienne

I don't think he is as good of a talent as Akers and the situation is way worse but it seems clear that we are starved enough for young RB talent around the league that it won't take much for Etienne to re-gain value

Could make a tidy profit if you missed the Akers buy window

Has he? I mean, his value has recovered from just after the injury, not that he's back playing, but he was top 5ish at his position, and first round start up value. Can't imagine he's close to that again. What do we think Akers value is at right now? I am just privy to the talk on these boards, and obviously it's too early to tell his startup value a day later, but where are your thoughts on his value in rookie picks, and what do you predict his startup ADP will be? I'd be interested in Etienne, but the Jags offense is my biggest concern. Unlike Akers, he's not in a good offense at the moment. What would you say is a good price to pay for Etienne? Curious what others think would be the "buy price" for him.

Akers on Keeptradecut is back to safely within the top 15 RBs. Top 5 was always overweight but and KTC isn't everything but people were dumping him for random 2nds when the news came out and late 1sts even a week or two ago

Etienne might be tricky to put a pick value on for a buy because the owner likely views him as the best RB (or up there) in a stronger class (debatable IMO but that's the consensus view)

I think "trading down" from a more valuable RB would be a better way to get him

Najee for Etienne++(could probably be an early 1st or even more which is insane)

It's risky but even an Ekeler or Kamara for Etienne+1st if you aren't a true contender

I love Ekeler but it's hard to see him top this year (RB2 and RB3 in PPG). It's not normally the type of trades you see dynasty traders make with a young 1st round RB+1st for an older RB but the injury discount like with Akers makes it very possible

I'd be all over a Gibson for Etienne+early to mid 2nd too. Or Chubb for Etienne+

I agree on the offense though. Still don't think they can get any worse than this year

I'd be pretty confident he gains value from now by the early season mark next year. At that point you can sell him for a profit if you still aren't sold or hold if you are (why I love draft picks--rookies almost always gain value if they show even something--after that you can punt them for a value gain if you aren't sold)

[Anteaters]

I like the trade values StripesfromKC mentioned.

As far as a comp, I see Etienne as a Swift like player. Good talent as a runner and a receiver, but tossed to a bad team. I figure if Swift can turn fantasy RB1 out of his situation, Etienne can too. Of course, Etienne hasn't done it yet so his present value should be below Swift. But I think six weeks into the 2022 season, Etienne will be compared favorably to Swift.

Honestly, I don't know what an real trade for Etienne would look like right now. But when I hear people still putting RB1 and/or 1st+ value on Dobbins, I feel Etienne should be right there with him. I'd definitely buy Etienne from anyone willing to sell him for less than RB1 value.

Some of the trade valuations mentioned focus on trading Etienne for "higher value" targets. Looking at it the other way, I could see offers like Terry McL for Etienne. Or AStB+Fournette/or/KHunt for Etienne. Or MCarter+Higgins/Aiyuk/Jeudy for Etienne. I'd rather have Etienne in all those deals, but I could see situations where the other side works for other owners.

I have a hard time figuring out which side needs a + in a Etienne for Barkley deal.