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Travis Etienne, RB out of Clemson. A surprise decision in 19 to return for his senior season.
Still touted as a top tier talent in this draft class as he was last year, did he make the right decision to return?
Let’s dig into the film and find out!
@MyFantasyLeague
Travis Etienne, RB out of Clemson. A surprise decision in 19 to return for his senior season.
Still touted as a top tier talent in this draft class as he was last year, did he make the right decision to return?
Let’s dig into the film and find out!
@MyFantasyLeague
Returning for his senior season he showed in the stat box that he has the receiving chops needed in today’s league. But he was already considered a top tier RB last year. As this year’s class isn’t as loaded as 2020, it’s still fairly deep with some studs at the top.
I watched some games from 19 and 20, let’s dive into what I liked from Etienne’s tape:
- Elite Burst
- Elite Acceleration
- Above Average Vision
- Solid Contact Balance
- Solid Hands
- Pass Pro
- Elite Burst
- Elite Acceleration
- Above Average Vision
- Solid Contact Balance
- Solid Hands
- Pass Pro
BURST
Clip 2 isn’t a huge play, but I love his burst on the outside run to outrun the defender and make something out of what should’ve been stuffed near the LOS. Clips 1 and 3 he shows his burst as soon as he hits the open field to shift into another gear. Also clip 3 solid
Clip 2 isn’t a huge play, but I love his burst on the outside run to outrun the defender and make something out of what should’ve been stuffed near the LOS. Clips 1 and 3 he shows his burst as soon as he hits the open field to shift into another gear. Also clip 3 solid
ACCELERATION
So burst and acceleration are similar, but I want to focus on how Etienne gets back up to full speed so fast after contact. He gets tripped up in the 1st clip a couple times at the 2nd level, but he is able to get back up to full speed so fast he outruns 2 defenders
So burst and acceleration are similar, but I want to focus on how Etienne gets back up to full speed so fast after contact. He gets tripped up in the 1st clip a couple times at the 2nd level, but he is able to get back up to full speed so fast he outruns 2 defenders
VISION
I would classify his vision as above average. In the first clip that he is able to follow his blockers in the open field and adjust to where the blocks will be placed. In the 3rd clip he finds a nice cutback lane seeing there is nothing in front of him & almost gets a 1st
I would classify his vision as above average. In the first clip that he is able to follow his blockers in the open field and adjust to where the blocks will be placed. In the 3rd clip he finds a nice cutback lane seeing there is nothing in front of him & almost gets a 1st
ELUSIVENESS
So I’m looping this 1st clip in with elusiveness. When Etienne shows wiggle and change of direction, it’s lethal when combined with his speed. Here he just slightly changes his direction which causes defenders to take bad angles because they have to honor his speed
So I’m looping this 1st clip in with elusiveness. When Etienne shows wiggle and change of direction, it’s lethal when combined with his speed. Here he just slightly changes his direction which causes defenders to take bad angles because they have to honor his speed
In clip 2 he shows off solid vision but he gets skinny at the LOS, avoiding arm tackles. Then he keeps the legs churning for extra yards. 3rd clip he makes 2 defenders miss and is able to get a couple yards out of nothing. Love the lateral movement when he shows it...
CONTACT BALANCE
Etienne has really good lower body strength and is able to shed those leg tackles easily. The second clip also shows off his burst to the edge of the defense after bouncing it out. 3rd clip shows his acceleration getting back up to top speed so quick again
Etienne has really good lower body strength and is able to shed those leg tackles easily. The second clip also shows off his burst to the edge of the defense after bouncing it out. 3rd clip shows his acceleration getting back up to top speed so quick again
CATCHING
Etienne lined up wide fairly often (mostly simple routes). He also slipped out of the backfield to receive more often than not. He generally catches with his hands. In the 1st clip he shows nice awareness to drift into the soft spot of the zone and quickly turns upfield
Etienne lined up wide fairly often (mostly simple routes). He also slipped out of the backfield to receive more often than not. He generally catches with his hands. In the 1st clip he shows nice awareness to drift into the soft spot of the zone and quickly turns upfield
PASS PRO
So I just mentioned that he slipped out of the backfield more often than not. So he really didn’t have that many opportunities to show off his pass pro. But when he did, he was not afraid to throw his body into a defender and legitimately block a pass rusher
So I just mentioned that he slipped out of the backfield more often than not. So he really didn’t have that many opportunities to show off his pass pro. But when he did, he was not afraid to throw his body into a defender and legitimately block a pass rusher
I wanted to end the film breakdown on this clip here. He puts it all together. Catches with his hands, turns upfield, elusive behind the LOS, runs through arm tackles, shows his vision, and then bursts once he’s in the open field
It’s hard to come up with concerns/red flags for someone that has Etienne’s talent. But here were what I saw that are slight concerns in his tape:
- He has solid contact balance and power for lower body tackles. But when the hit comes high he slows down and shields himself
- He has solid contact balance and power for lower body tackles. But when the hit comes high he slows down and shields himself
- I noticed it looked like he was attempting a spin move every time he faced contact. It generally didn’t work out and that could easily get him hurt in the NFL
- Really fun to watch when he shows even slight lateral movement, but more often than not he runs in a straight line
- Really fun to watch when he shows even slight lateral movement, but more often than not he runs in a straight line
- Not a lot of pass pro attempts, but looks good when he does
- Shows solid hands, but I did see quite a few body catches too
- It might just be me, but it looked like he lost a bit of burst from 19-20 season. Maybe he was banged up or put on some weight? Slight concern
- Shows solid hands, but I did see quite a few body catches too
- It might just be me, but it looked like he lost a bit of burst from 19-20 season. Maybe he was banged up or put on some weight? Slight concern
The talent of Etienne is undeniable. He has a different game than Najee or Williams, and that game really fits today’s NFL. I think Etienne will be successful in the NFL but is a bit more landing spot dependent than Najee or Williams. He is still 1 of the top backs in this class
He has the potential and all the traits to be a 3 down back in the NFL. All his concerns are correctable. Because of that I have him as my RB3 in this class. Out of the 5 backs I’ve broken down, this is how they rank so far:
1. Najee
2. Williams
3. Etienne
4. Gainwell
5. Hubbard
1. Najee
2. Williams
3. Etienne
4. Gainwell
5. Hubbard
If you want to check out any of the other RB breakdowns (Najee, Williams, Gainwell and Hubbard) feel free to DM me and I’ll send you the links!
As always, if you have made it this far, I’d appreciate a like, retweet or any feedback!
As always, if you have made it this far, I’d appreciate a like, retweet or any feedback!
