Issue #260: Statute of Limitations

By Derrick Ernst

March 19, 2026

A Few More RBs

The news has slowed a bit, but not enough to make things a complete standstill. As promised, today is an extension of Sunday’s outlook on free agent signings.

Rico Dowdle, PIT: Two RB’s were hard enough to strategize for PIT’s fantasy outlook. Now I’d argue we have three: Dowdle, Warren, and Johnson. I was really high on Johnson last year and it’s tough to see him break through with two others standing above him. The question becomes, will Dowdle produce to the same degree as Gainwell? If not, does Warren vastly outperform? Does Johnson see more of the field? Warren is probably the safer bet with Dowdle being more of the aggressive play.

Kenneth Gainwell, TB: One of fantasy’s biggest steals last season. My opinion is that was more of a result of Rodgers than Gainwell’s true ability. Bucky had a bumpy end to last season following injury and my guess is that folks will be reluctant rostering him due to that coupled with Gainwell’s presence following his ascension. This feels like a classic TDF value play by leaning into Bucky all things considered at this point in time.

Tyler Allgeier, ARI: Perhaps we’ll never see Allgeier fully assume a RB1 role. Let’s not forget that ARI has Benson and Bam rostered along with Conner. We don’t really know what we’re going to be getting with Mike LaFleur as HC. Throughout his career as OC, he’s had more success scheming a passing offense than rushing, even when he was with NYJ. I’d suspect that will hold true for ARI which limits Allgeier’s prospects even further.

Chris Rodriguez, JAX: He had a few sneaky games for WSH last season. In games where he had 10+ carries, he averaged 10 half PPR points. With Etienne out, I like this move for JAX. The Jags RB room is filled with “prove it” type players and there’s a good chance Rodriguez rises to the top of the crop. He’s a high upside play for undoubtedly low risk.

Kenneth Walker, KC: Seemingly the biggest signing of the offseason. Who knew? Here’s something rather concerning:

Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

These are Eric Bieniemy’s ranks over his first stint as OC with KC. Note his absolutely horrid rushing ranks. It’s weird how inefficient he was leading their rushing attack when he was KC’s RB coach from ’13-’17. There are potentially serious repercussions here with drafting Walker who I’d assume will have a R1 ADP. Let’s take a look at just how ineffective Bieniemy’s top fantasy RB’s were over his prior tenure:

• 2018: Kareem Hunt (RB11, 20 PPG)

• 2019: Damien Williams (RB35, 12 PPG)

• 2020: CEH (RB22, 12 PPG)

• 2021: Darrel Williams (RB22, 10 PPG)

• 2022: Isiah Pacheco (RB36, 8 PPG)

Truth be told, Walker is the best RB when you include him in as a part of this bunch. I also wasn’t expecting the “best” RB to be different each season. Makes you think how much life Walker might have in this offense even despite his age. This is really where I get hung up. There’s no denying his talent, but when it comes to the team he chose, I’m not convinced KC was the best spot for that talent to shine through.

A Few More WRs

Hollywood Brown, PHI: Does this mean AJ Brown is gone? If it’s going to happen, rip the BAND-AID off already! If I was a Philly fan I hope this Brown isn’t the replacement for the other. The only fantasy-relevant season Hollywood has had in his career came in ’21 with BAL when he finished as WR23. Let someone else buy into the hype. If AJ is gone, I’d rather be all-in on Smith than another guy with the same name.

Christian Kirk, SF: Pretty much the same story with Kirk as was the case with Hollywood. He has one fantasy-relevant season: ’17 with JAX when he finished as WR11. All other seasons have been outside the top-24 (same with Hollywood). Let me just say that despite all the injuries plaguing SF, there’s only enough to go around for one 30+ year old WR to have success and his name isn’t Kirk.

Jaylen Waddle, DEN: We’ve seen all seen the news. A lot of people are saying DEN gave up too much. I don’t think so. Put it this way, would you rather have a 27 year old Waddle (and knowing what you’re getting) or a 23 or so year old rookie at a position unbeknownst to you until you see how the draft shakes out (and not knowing what you’re getting)? If DEN’s window is now, you need to do what it takes to get you over the hump. This is a step in that direction. I commend them.

I’ve spent a good chunk of time these past few days trying to determine a good comp for Waddle and what I realized is that perhaps his match is the one he’ll be standing opposite of on the field (screenshots from Fantasy Footballers). Waddle’s career fantasy production:

Sutton’s career fantasy production is below. I’ll make things easy (season avg since ’21 to be apples to apples; Sutton has been in the league since ‘18):

• Waddle: 11 PPG, 110 tgts, 75 rep, 1,000 yds, 14 YPC, 5 TD

• Sutton: 10 PPG, 110 tgts, 67 rep, 900 yds, 13 YPC, 6 TD

I didn’t vet every WR in the league, but enough to know when the right time was to stop. Feels to me DEN likes what they have in Sutton enough to get his replica.

No

And last but not least, Travis Etienne, NO. Why does he get his own section? Because he needs to learn a few things about the statute of limitations.

Source: ESPN

If you pronounce Etienne like that, then how the heck do you pronounce Devon Achane? Apparently announcers kept on pronouncing his name incorrectly throughout college (aka how we’re all used to saying it) and he ran out of energy trying to correct them. That was something like 6+ years ago. That’s too much time. There’s no turning back. The vast majority of football fans didn’t know who Travis Erienne was 6 years ago and ever since then they’ve been growing accustomed to pronouncing your name the way it looks. Just be happy that you play a sport for a living where people choose to want to know your name.