Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Travis Etienne

Thursday, March 14, 6:02 PM

New Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the team on Thursday that includes $13 million guaranteed, according to a source. The Cincinnati Bengals were set to cut Mixon for salary cap purposes earlier this week but ended up trading him to the Texans instead. Devin Singletary, Houston's primary back last year, signed with the Giants in free agency. The 27-year-old Mixon, a Pro Bowler in 2021, goes from one potent offense to another and will be the Texans' No. 1 back, giving him clear RB1 upside in fantasy. In 17 starts for Cincy in 2023, Mixon had the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career while scoring nine rushing touchdowns on 257 carries. He added 52 receptions (64 targets) for 376 yards and another three TDs.

Sunday, April 28, 1:02 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said on Saturday that the team is picking up the fifth-year option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr. It's no surprise that the Jags will pick up the options for the former Clemson teammates with the deadline to do so coming next Thursday. The 24-year-old Lawrence has been given even more weapons in Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas after Calvin Ridley left in free agency this offseason. Injuries hurt Lawrence in the second half of 2023, and with better health in 2024, he could easily rebound as a strong midrange QB1 for fantasy. Etienne has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons while also catching 93 total passes for 792 yards. Tank Bigsby could be a thorn in his side as he gets more involved in the backfield, but Etienne is still an attractive fantasy RB in an offense that could be even more explosive this year.