With the 2026 fantasy football season on the horizon, initial expert consensus rankings are providing an early glimpse into player valuations. This article delves into the New Orleans Saints' roster to uncover potential fantasy bargains, identifying players whose current market perception may not fully reflect their forthcoming contributions.
Travis Etienne is currently positioned as RB18 in the expert consensus rankings, largely due to the continued presence of Alvin Kamara, who sits at RB43. However, Kamara's history of incomplete seasons and his age (turning 31 in July) suggest a potential reduction in workload, possibly limited to around 150 touches, or even a mid-season departure. Should this occur, Etienne would likely assume the role of the Saints' primary running back, a position he has capably filled in three of his four NFL seasons. Considering this potential shift, Etienne's actual value could easily place him among the top 16 running backs, offering significant upside in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.
Another area of overlooked value lies with the wide receiver who will line up opposite Chris Olave. While Mason Tipton is the current presumptive starter, his unranked status in ECR, alongside Devaughn Vele (WR93 ECR), indicates low market expectations. Given the Saints' five draft picks in the first four rounds, including the eighth overall selection, it is highly probable they will acquire a new number two receiver. An early-round draft pick at this position would likely enter fantasy drafts as a top 40-45 receiver, while a mid-round selection could still be a top 50-55 option. Given the current depth, or lack thereof, in the Saints' wide receiver corps, any rookie stepping into this role could prove to be a significant steal.
Lastly, Noah Fant, the tight end, is completely unranked by experts, with even Elijah Higgins, the lowest-ranked tight end, appearing at TE52. Established free agents like Jonnu Smith and Darren Waller are also ranked within the top 50. The reason for Fant's omission seems to be the high ranking of Juwan Johnson as TE12. However, this assessment might overlook the potential for a less rigid hierarchy within the tight end group. While Johnson is expected to start, Fant's fundamental reliability, evidenced by only one dropped pass in each of the last four years, and his impressive passer rating when targeted (over 120 in two of the last four seasons), suggest he is undervalued. Fant possesses the potential to be a top-34 tight end with strong top-18 upside, especially if Johnson were to face an injury.
In summary, the New Orleans Saints' roster presents several intriguing fantasy prospects for the 2026 season. Savvy fantasy managers should look beyond the initial expert consensus rankings and identify players like Travis Etienne, the emerging number two wide receiver, and Noah Fant, who all have the potential to significantly outperform their current valuations and become crucial assets for their fantasy teams.
