Who Should I Start? Audric Estimé or Brashard Smith


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Audric Estimé News

Audric Estime Remains a Decent Flex Option for Week 18

Saturday, January 3, 12:14 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime delivered the best game of his career in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, handling 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown while adding one catch (one target) for four yards. The Saints leaned more into the second-year back in Week 17 after giving tight end Taysom Hill 16 touches in the final home game of the season in Week 16. Estime broke off a 32-yard touchdown to essentially ice the game for the Saints, and he figures to be a key part of the offense in the season finale against the Falcons, with multiple starters ruled out, including Alvin Kamara (knee). The Falcons rank in the middle of the pack in PPR points per game allowed to running backs this season, but they concede the seventh-most yards per carry (4.6). Estime should be in line for around 15 touches, making him a viable flex option in Week 18.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Brashard Smith News

Brashard Smith's Ascension Put on Pause?

Sunday, March 15, 2:07 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith may not take as big a leap as initially anticipated in 2026. The Chiefs recently signed running back Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43 million deal, locking him in as their primary ball-carrier through 2028. That move seems to put a damper on Smith's upside after it initially seemed like he could be headed for a larger role. Smith patiently waited his turn behind Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, who both struggled in 2025. Meanwhile, Smith showed plenty of upside and the potential for a second-year breakout, finishing off the regular season with 12 carries for 56 yards (plus two catches on four targets) in Week 18. While the Chiefs did shake up their backfield by letting Isiah Pacheco (and likely Kareem Hunt) depart in free agency, they also signed Emari Demercado along with Walker, which means that Smith will likely open next season as the team's No. 3 running back once again. His path to carving out meaningful fantasy value in 2026 just got much more challenging, but managers should remain patient and hold him in dynasty leagues for now.


Audric Estimé vs. Brashard Smith

Still trying to decide between Estimé and Smith? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Audric Estimé is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Brashard Smith is projected to score 0.0 points.