Dalton Kincaid ripped off 69% of routes in Week 1, a mark higher than anything he put up all last season. For a first-round talent who’s been battling run blocking and injuries, like that knee injury last year that saw him drop to 44% after being around 60% early on, this is massive. It’s straight up incredible for Kincaid! He already dropped 130 receiving yards on the Texans’ defense and posted top-three yards per route in the entire NFL. If he holds onto that ~70% route share, Kincaid could be the biggest tight end value of the year. You gotta be on this right now.
Workhorse RBs Emerge and WRs Get Their Shot
It wasn’t just Kincaid making waves. Bucky Irving dominated the RB target split over Kenny Gainwell, snagging seven targets to Gainwell’s one in Week 1, which would’ve been eight without penalties! Gainwell was barely touching the ball on 18% of snaps compared to Irving’s 47%. Plus, Irving got both red-zone carries, punching one in for a touchdown. With Sean Tucker still out, Irving is looking like a bonafide workhorse with elite receiving upside. Don’t sleep on Chuba Hubbard either. He bagged three ‘Gold opportunities,’ two red-zone targets and a goal-line attempt, cashing in two touchdowns. Hubbard’s workload is legit: 71% of the RB touches. He started 2025 with nearly 20 touches per game before his injury, and that volume, especially his red zone role, is stable. And get this: Jameson Williams ran 90% of routes in Week 1, a percentage higher than only six other receivers drafted above him. While 6.5 fantasy points might look ugly, that usage is elite, a top-10 route share. He was just one yard away from a touchdown, which would’ve calmed everyone down. This is your window to snag a potential WR2 or WR3 if your leaguemates are panicking.
Is Travis Etienne Jr. a Major Red Flag?
Now, let’s talk red flags. Travis Etienne Jr.’s Week 1 usage is sending chills down my spine. This guy was supposed to be a bellcow, but he only ran 37% of routes! What are we even doing here? The rushing split was a nightmare, with Etienne and Kendre Miller both getting nine attempts. It gets worse in the red zone. The passing game work, which we all hoped for, might just be fool’s gold. I’m nervous about this. If the team isn’t committing to him as a true lead back, especially in the passing game and the money-making red zone, his fantasy value is in serious jeopardy. You’ve got to be questioning this early usage.
Week 1 is done, but the season is a marathon, not a sprint. We gotta keep our eyes peeled on these usage trends as we roll into Week 2. Will Kincaid hold onto that monster route share? Can Bucky Irving solidify himself as the league’s next big thing at running back? And seriously, what in the world is going to happen with Travis Etienne Jr.? Don’t get caught sleeping on these early signals. The smart players are already making their moves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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