Dynasty Trending Observations: NFL Scouting Combine Week
In one of the first stops on the calendar of the new season, NFL Scouting Combine week took place in Indianapolis. It may not see the same pool of elite talent that it used to but it’s still the place where a lot of team business happens that could find its way to your dynasty team.
Here, we talk about some current NFL players in the social media spotlight this week.
Travis Aggressive
Travis Etienne Jr. is just one of five RBs to rush for 1,000+ yards in 2022 and 2023 💥 pic.twitter.com/IHUAWjVoAY
— PFF JAX Jaguars (@PFF_Jaguars) February 26, 2024
Since his first (healthy) season in the league, Travis Etienne has been a model of consistency. He’s played in all 34 possible games in 2022 and 2023. He’s eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing and at least 300 yards receiving in each of those years as well. He was a mid-RB2 when it came to fantasy scoring in 2022 and jumped up to third in 2023 thanks to his 12 total touchdowns.
So it was a little disheartening to hear Jaguars coach Doug Pederson mention his plan to decrease Etienne’s workload. To be fair, there are cases to be made for both sides of this argument. On one hand, Etienne is just 25 and played just two full seasons in the league. Now would not be the time to tap the brake when it comes to his involvement in the offense. On the other hand, Etienne did see more than 40 additional carries in 2023 and saw his yards per carry drop by over a yard from 5.1 down to 3.8. This off-season could tell you a lot about the Jaguars plans for Etienne.
Dynasty Impact: After a peak ADP of fourth when it comes to running backs, Etienne’s dynasty value settled into eighth.
So not quite elite but still a starting running back on your dynasty team. The statement by Pederson is not what you want to hear but pay attention to the Jaguars’ moves. The Tank Bigsby experiment failed, and he can’t be considered a viable option to siphon off touches. They also have potentially big losses in free agency between pass rusher Josh Allen and receiver Calvin Ridley which could mean draft capital is spent replacing those positions rather than on a running back.
At the same time, the free agent class at the position is loaded and the Jaguars have some money to spend and could have more if they let the likes of Allen go.
The bottom line is don’t panic about Pederson’s comments yet. Until someone comes along that is an actual threat to his workload, Etienne is still an RB1 and should be valued as such.
Tush Push the Envelope
Troy Vincent said on PFT Live that there's no support within the Competition Committee for banning the tush push, and that a rule change would be punishing a team for doing something well. https://t.co/gV1ECYR83S
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 29, 2024
You must be doing something right as a team and player if the NFL must have discussions on how you play the game and if it’s legal. Ever since the Eagles dreamt up the Tush Push, there has been a debate if it’s a fair way to go. Jalen Hurts, a massive quarterback, lines up behind his massive offensive line while other massive players line up behind him and push him over the goal line. It’s a true Rorschach test when it comes to football viewing – it’s either a play designed to utilize the players or it’s a shortcut to scoring. Either way, the league has had this same discussion in each of the last two off-seasons after it was clear that it wasn’t just a gadget play by the Eagles but rather their MO when it comes to their short-yardage offense.
Dynasty Impact: No player stood to lose more from a potential rule change than Jalen Hurts. Utilizing the now-famous Tush Push has helped Hurts score 38 times on the ground since he took over as a starter three seasons ago. Not only is that incredible for a quarterback, but his 38 rushing touchdowns lead the league in that span, scoring more times than studs like Derrick Henry and Austin Ekeler.
It was the one thing that elevated Hurts over nearly every other quarterback, the fact that he could supplement his passing touchdowns with rushing ones and propelled him to top-three status when it came to dynasty value.
And in leagues where passing touchdowns are only four points while rushing touchdowns are six, it was a bigger advantage. Banning it wouldn’t have eliminated Hurt’s rushing stats but it would have severely cut into his touchdowns production on the ground. The fact that it’ll stick around, even if it’s one more year, stabilizes Hurts’ dynasty value. Don’t let him go.
Passion Pit(tman)
Michael Pittman Jr. will be the #Colts WR1 for at least another season.
"One thing you never have to worry about with that guy is he empties the tank," Chris Ballard said. "He absolutely empties the tank."
Meet one of the NFL's most intense competitors:https://t.co/NXIX5yuv9R
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) February 28, 2024
He’s not flashy but Michael Pittman Jr has been about as steady as it gets when it comes to fantasy production. Over the last three seasons, he’s averaged 99 receptions for 1,050 yards and five touchdowns. Not quite WR1 stuff but not unstartable either. And it comes with a different quarterback leading the team in snaps under center in each of those seasons, an illustrious group that includes Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and Gardner Minshew.
So it wasn’t a surprise that the Colts intend to keep Pittman around at least for one more season. 2024 will be (hopefully) the year that former fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson takes over after an injury wiped out his rookie season and Pittman could finally be paired with a quarterback that isn’t washed.
Dynasty Impact: At first glance, it may not seem like Pittman being stuck in an offense that will utilize the ground game with the likes of Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor would be a good fantasy fit. But the Colts were just 18th in pass attempts last season. And in 2021 – Pittman’s best fantasy season to date – the Colts ranked 27th in pass attempts. So he can produce even when the Colts are running.
Pittman is a rare case where his fantasy finishes have yet to match his dynasty ranking. But in this case, I think it’s right. Pittman established himself as the top (only?) receiver in Indianapolis. If he can be fantasy-relevant with the cast of characters he’s had to suffer, his potential is sky-high with Richardson.
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