Alvin Kamara

RB, NO

Kamara is the lead back in New Orleans' muddled three-way committee with Kendre Miller and CJ Donaldson, propped up almost entirely by his pass-catching role after out-touching an injured Travis Etienne earlier in the window. He's not an efficient runner right now — multiple shows flag poor yards-per-touch and declining explosiveness — but the volume and target share still make him the first Saints back to roster.

The arc flipped hard: late September brought concern from FantasyPros, Yahoo, and Berry's show that Kamara looked washed and was losing ground to Miller, but Etienne's hamstring injury on 9/29 triggered a near-unanimous scramble (Fantasy Life, The Ringer, Late-Round, The Audible, Berry's show) to add Kamara as the top waiver priority in New Orleans' backfield. By October 1st, Yahoo's Josh & Hayden are notably bullish (RB24), while Late-Round and Fantasy Life stay more guarded, warning Miller could still siphon early-down work and touches may cap near a dozen.

The line: Roster Kamara for the receiving work and touch share, but treat him as a capped flex, not a workhorse, until the committee clarifies. · updated Oct 01

Thursday, October 1

Both shows see him as a volatile but clearly top Saints RB option, with his pass-game role as the stabilizing factor even if Miller chips into early-down work and tough matchups loom; treat him as a flex-y RB2 with receiving upside rather than a locked-in starter.

▶ Fantasy Life Show: Ranked ahead of other risky options at RB26 despite game-script concerns from turnovers; Kendre Miller could siphon early-down work. listen ↗

▶ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Only Saints back worth using vs. a strong Atlanta run defense, but he doubles up teammates in routes run and could produce as a receiver. listen ↗

Wednesday, September 30

▲ Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Big stance well above consensus (RB24 vs RB36); part of a three-way committee but New Orleans is projected for 25 points vs depleted Atlanta front seven. listen ↗

Tuesday, September 29

Unanimous top-add call across the board as the Saints' backfield injury opens the door, with his receiving role seen as the safest bet even if the rushing work stays split with Kendre Miller; the lone caution flag says touches may cap out around a dozen with CJ Donaldson also in the mix, so treat him as a high-priority pickup, not a workhorse lock.

▶ Fantasy Focus Football: Considered the priority Saints RB add with Travis Etienne out, but expectations are low since he's become one of the league's least effective backs; more of a flex option in 12-team leagues. listen ↗

▲ Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast: Expected to get most of the touches with Alvin H(unknown TE/RB) out, but hosts debate how much work Kendre Miller will siphon; Kamara still the priority start. listen ↗

▲ Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry: Took 50% of snaps and a double-digit target share after Etienne's injury; preferred over Kendre Miller in PPR due to pass-catching role. listen ↗

▶ Fantasy Football Today: Still viewed as a pass-catching factor and clearly ahead of Kendre Miller in the pecking order, with historical usage data (83 carries/22 catches) supporting a real role. listen ↗

▲ Fantasy Life Show: Preferred back to add after Travis Etienne's hamstring injury news broke live on air; trusted in pass-catching and goal-line role over Kendre Miller. listen ↗

▼ Harris Fantasy Football Podcast: Hosts worry he could be 'toast' in what looks like a split backfield, even with Travis Etienne banged up, favoring pass volume over his lead role. listen ↗

▲ The Audible: Appears to be first man up in Etienne's absence and is the preferred waiver add; doesn't need a huge workload if he keeps getting receiving work. listen ↗

▼ The Audible: Limited ceiling like Braelon Allen but without breakaway ability, as he's in the twilight of his career and Saints share carries with Henry Miller/CJ Donaldson. listen ↗

▲ The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast: Preferred add from a messy Saints backfield after Travis Achan's hamstring injury, splitting rushes with Kendre Miller. listen ↗

▲ The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Considered a top short-term add if Travis Etienne-type Saints injury (referred to as HN) sidelines the lead back for multiple weeks; Saints have run the most plays in the league. listen ↗

▶ Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Gets a slight bump in opportunity after Travis Etienne's hamstring re-aggravation, but backfield still split three ways with CJ Donaldson and Kendre Miller; opportunities capped around 12 touches. listen ↗

Monday, September 28

Shows agree the workload is eroding fast — Kendre Miller is siphoning goal-line and ground work as Kamara looks slower and less explosive, with FantasyPros and Yahoo both steering managers toward alternatives. The Audible is only slightly kinder, calling him a lukewarm streamer rather than a must-start, so treat him as a committee back with fading upside.

▶ Fantasy Football Today: Still has a higher ceiling than Kendre Miller and is more heavily rostered, so he's the preferred but harder-to-get Saints RB add. listen ↗

▼ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Continues to look like a shell of himself, prompting hosts to favor Kendre Miller for goal-line/ground work in a deepening committee. listen ↗

▶ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Inefficient (18 carries for 51 yards) but still the clear next-man-up if Achane-type volume opens up; volume is king even with poor per-touch output. listen ↗

▶ The Audible: Split work with Kendre Miller while Etienne was out, making him a viable if not desirable waiver option. listen ↗

▼ Yahoo Fantasy Football with Josh & Hayden: Looked like an aging back who was never a true workhorse; hosts advised finding alternatives given the Saints' pass-first approach. listen ↗

Saturday, September 26

▲ RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: Out-touched Travis Etienne 14-10 in his season debut with 5 catches, a signal worth stashing given three straight home games. listen ↗

Friday, September 25

▼ Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast: Only put up 4.7 fantasy points on 15 opportunities (including 6 targets) last week; hosts say to stay hands-off the Saints backfield committee. listen ↗

▼ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Described as 'dust,' implying he's not a reliable factor, further pushing Saints toward a pass-heavy approach. listen ↗

Thursday, September 24

▶ Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry: Confusing backfield usage flagged as unsustainable; hosts warn against picking him up given messy committee. listen ↗

▶ Fantasy Football Today: If Kamara plays, hosts would not start Etienne. listen ↗

Wednesday, September 23

▼ The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Still getting early-down touches but looks far less explosive than Etienne on tape, per the hosts. listen ↗

Tuesday, September 22

Both shows agree Kamara is out-touching Travis Etienne by a wide margin (double-digit workload edge) in New Orleans' up-tempo offense, cementing him as the clear lead back and the one to roster, not Etienne.

▶ The Ringer Fantasy Football Show: Out-touched Travis Etienne 10-2 in the first half; still viewed as a viable, serviceable player given the Saints' fast-paced offense. listen ↗

▼ Yahoo Fantasy Forecast with Matt Harmon: Continues to dominate touches (15 opportunities vs 10 for Travis Etienne), leading hosts to 'total panic' on Etienne given the Saints' winning formula. listen ↗

Monday, September 21

▲ Dynasty Nerds Podcast | Dynasty Fantasy Football: Posted a career-high touch/snap rate in his return, dominating the Saints backfield over Kendre Miller and pushing Etienne down. listen ↗

▼ Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry: Getting more touches than Travis Etienne but is 'dead last in yards per touch' and looks washed; hosts don't see real fantasy value emerging. listen ↗

▶ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Returned and out-touched the other backs (14 touches on just 20 snaps), creating a messy, concerning touch split for the Saints backfield. listen ↗

▶ FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast: Worth stashing in case something happens to Etienne. listen ↗

▲ RotoWire Fantasy Football With Theo Gremminger: 14 touches and 5 catches in a win over Baltimore; still valuable as a receiver even as his rushing dwindles, out-touching Travis Etienne. listen ↗

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