Who Should I Start? Audric Estimé or CJ Donaldson


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.0 2.9 0.1 0.1 1.4 0.0

Audric Estimé News

Saints Claim Audric Estime Off Waivers

Tuesday, November 3, 11:32 AM

The New Orleans Saints have claimed running back Audric Estime off waivers from the Cleveland Browns, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Estime appeared in one game for Cleveland this season, recording nine carries for 19 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. New Orleans is very familiar with the 23-year-old back, as he recorded 46 carries for 198 yards and a touchdown across seven games with the Saints in 2025. New Orleans RB1 Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is eligible to return from Injured Reserve in Week 9, but the team's addition of Estime could signal that Etienne Jr. is likely to remain sidelined for at least one more week. If Etienne Jr. is not yet healthy, Estime could split backfield work with Saints backs Kendre Miller, Alvin Kamara, and CJ Donaldson (shoulder). New Orleans also plays Cleveland in Week 9, so claiming Estime from the Browns could be a bit of gamesmanship on the part of the Saints.


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.8 7.2 0.0 0.5 3.0 0.0

CJ Donaldson News

CJ Donaldson Unlikely to See Fantasy-Relevant Workload in Week 7

Saturday, October 24, 5:49 AM

Across six games so far in 2026, New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson has recorded 91 yards from scrimmage on 21 touches. The 22-year-old has played a regular role in his team's backfield rotation on third downs. He's also started to earn a few more touches of late, recording a season-high six carries and 39 rushing yards in Week 6 against the New York Giants. However, Donaldson is still competing with Kendre Miller and Alvin Kamara for snaps and touches in the Saints backfield. The Saints will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7, who profile as a much tougher run defense than the Giants. With all three backs likely to get their chance against the Pittsburgh, Donaldson is tough for fantasy managers to trust as a starter.


Audric Estimé vs. CJ Donaldson

Still trying to decide between Estimé and Donaldson? 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 1.0 points this week while CJ Donaldson is projected to score 1.8 points.