Full Fades

By: Josh Frey-Sam

There are a few players who I simply have no interest in this season.

Doesn’t matter the format or how the board shakes out, when their name is on my screen, I look right past ’em. That can be a dangerous game to play. As fantasy players, it’s our job to project a path to success for every player just as much as it is to project a path to failure.

But I legitimately struggle to see the path to your happiness if you draft these players, especially at their current price.:

RB Travis Etienne Jr., New Orleans Saints

Something about this feels weird. Yes, Etienne filled a hole on the Saints roster when he was signed in free agency this off-season, but a lot of the news since then just hasn’t felt like developments that would intrigue anyone to draft him, especially at his current price.

Etienne has finished as a top 10 RB twice in his career, so we know what he can do with a high volume to make up for his lack of efficiency.

But his volume this season can’t get you excited. Kellen Moore’s offence is pass-heavy as is, and now the Saints have brought back Alvin Kamara, which should cut into ETN’s third-down work.

The picture is way too murky to be drafting him at the end of the third round.

WR Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

This pains me to write, because I’m a fan of Sutton’s game.

But this Broncos passing game is going to run through Jaylen Waddle.

Sutton has been a much better player in real life than he has been for fantasy. He’s finished as the WR15 and 13 in each of the last two seasons, respectively, but now he’s 30year old and will cede plenty of targets to Waddle.

There is also talk that Sean Payton could begin the transition to Pat Bryant taking over as the No. 2 WR on the depth chart this season. Sutton is likely a cut candidate after this season, so an increased role for Bryant would make sense.

Sutton hasn’t been the most explosive receiver in his career. It feels like he’ll be a very touchdown-dependent option this season. Although, he has scored 25 touchdowns over the last three seasons.

RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

Two-down running back. Coming off a major injury. Playing for a crappy team that should be in negative game scripts all season.

If you’ve been following along this off-season, you know that I have been quite bearish on Judkins.

I’m actually more interested in targeted backup RB Dylan Sampson, who should see a lot of targets out of the backfield, in late rounds.

Judkins scored 15 or more PPR points in five games last season. Of those, he did not eclipse 100 yards rushing in any of them and scored at least one touchdown in four of them.

What was nice about Judkins last season was that anytime the BRowns would get near the goal line, they would give him the ball. I’m not sure that’s the case this season, with Deshaun Watson likely starting and more weapons in the passing game.

Judkins the player might be OK, but Judkins the fantasy asset feels like a shaky pick.

WR Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars

There are a lot of people, especially in dynasty circles, who are screaming to trade for Hunter. I just don’t see it.

Yes, he’s an outstanding talent and could be a phenomenal WR at this level who can be acquired for dirt cheap right now, but he’s just not going to get enough opportunity to be relevant.

Even if there’s an injury, there’s no guarantee that he sees the field consistently.

Hunter will get some more offensive snaps this season, but his home will be on defence. The Jags also have no need to force him on the field, because they have a rock-solid core of Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr.

So while Hunter may run into the odd touchdown this season, there’s no way you can feel confident about drafting him.

Leave him on the waiver wire, and acquire accordingly.

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh