Who Should I Start? Trevor Etienne or Demond Claiborne


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.6 6.9 0.0 0.4 2.7 0.0

Trevor Etienne News

Trevor Etienne Still Has Work to Do for Redraft Value

Sunday, July 26, 9:28 AM

Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne remains a long shot for useful redraft work after barely touching the offense as a rookie. He appeared in all 17 games, but 20 carries for 94 yards and three catches for 13 yards were the extent of his production. Special teams kept him active. It did not move him any closer to Chuba Hubbard, who enters camp as Carolina's clear lead back. Jonathon Brooks is also back after missing last season with his second ACL tear, and the early camp reports have been encouraging. The Panthers added AJ Dillon, too, although the veteran is fighting for a roster spot rather than walking into a guaranteed role. Etienne still has speed, youth, and fourth-round draft capital on his side. He also has to prove he can earn more than a handful of offensive snaps. RotoBaller ranks him RB84 for redraft, which is where he belongs until the backfield starts opening up. He is a preseason watch-list player in deeper formats, not someone managers need to force into ordinary drafts.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
1.5 7.1 0.1 0.3 2.1 0.0

Demond Claiborne News

Demond Claiborne Drawing Rave Reviews from Vikings Camp

Saturday, July 25, 7:31 AM

Minnesota Vikings "executives, coaches, and teammates quietly raved" about rookie running back Demond Claiborne's movement skills this spring, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. A sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest, Claiborne recorded 2,350 scrimmage yards and 23 touchdowns across his final 24 games for the Demon Deacons. He enters 2026 firmly behind veterans Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason on the team's running back depth chart and may even be behind Zavier Scott for Minnesota's RB3 job. However, neither Jones Sr. nor Mason is under contract with the Vikings beyond 2026. Claiborne profiles as the highest-upside athlete of the Minnesota running backs. If he can prove himself capable of handling the finer points of the running back position, Claiborne could carve out a role in the Vikings' backfield sooner rather than later.


Trevor Etienne vs. Demond Claiborne

Still trying to decide between Etienne and Claiborne? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Trevor Etienne is projected to score 1.6 points this week while Demond Claiborne is projected to score 1.5 points.