Who Should I Start? Alvin Kamara or Zach Charbonnet

Sunday, February 1, 6:46 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is trending downward ahead of the 2026 NFL season. While Kamara is under contract for one more year with the Saints, he's losing his grasp on the New Orleans backfield due to his age, injury issues, and the emergence of younger teammates. Kamara was the overall RB46 in full-PPR leagues during the 2025 season, which was the first time he ever finished lower than RB16. While part of his slip can be attributed to Kamara missing six games, he also showcased reduced volume and effectiveness. He averaged fewer than 15 touches per game, he finished with a career-low 3.6 yards per carry, and he only scored one touchdown all year. He is now 30 years old and suffered a knee sprain in Week 12, so age and injuries may be catching up to him. He also faces more competition than ever, as Devin Neal (hamstring) and Kendre Miller (knee) both flashed the ability to occupy lead-back roles before landing on season-ending injured reserve. Trade rumors have circled around Kamara for several years, but he has indicated that he wants to remain a Saint for life. Now, it's a question of whether New Orleans wants to keep him on the books for 2026. This team is looking to get younger, and cutting Kamara post-June 1 would create $8.5 million in cap space.

Wednesday, February 25, 1:47 PM

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) doesn't have a timetable for a return after undergoing surgery last weekend to fix the torn ACL in his knee that he suffered in the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. The typical recovery time for reconstructive knee surgery for ACL tears is eight to 12 months. Seattle doesn't know exactly when Charb might be back in 2026, but Macdonald said the team is "more optimistic than it was initially." The 25-year-old took on a bigger role next to Kenneth Walker III during the 2025 regular season and led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns, the fifth-most in the NFL. He was the first Seahawk with double-digit TDs since Marshawn Lynch in 2014. Walker will be a free agent next month, but even if he departs, Charbonnet's 2026 fantasy value will most likely be down since he probably won't be ready for Week 1.