Saints' Audric Estime: Week 17 Waiver Priority List
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It's risky to trust Estime in Week 17 at Tennessee after his disappointing performance in Week 16 against the Jets when Taysom Hill led the Saints in carries. Estime only had five carries for 19 yards and three catches for 17 yards on four targets, but he played ahead of Evan Hull. We'll see if Hill once again is the best rusher for New Orleans, and Alvin Kamara (knee) could also return. But Estime could be a surprise flex against the Titans if the Saints decide to give him more work in this matchup on the road.
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Saints' Audric Estime: Eight touches working behind Hill
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Estime rushed five times for 19 yards and caught three of four targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 29-6 win over the Jets.
The Saints were missing Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) and Devin Neal (hamstring, IR), but Taysom Hill stepped up as the top option at running back. Hill paced the team with 12 carries while Estime and Evan Hull each had five. Even if Kamara remains sidelined in Week 17 against the Titans, Estime will likely remain limited to a complementary role.
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Saints' Audric Estime: Sleeper RBs
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I'm going to take a chance on Estime as at least a flex with Alvin Kamara (knee) and Devin Neal (hamstring) out. We'll see how the Saints use Estime and Evan Hull against the Jets, but I like Estime the best of this duo. And the matchup is fantastic since the Jets are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs in the past five weeks. Over that span, the Jets have allowed 14 total touchdowns to running backs, and six guys have at least 90 total yards (TreVeyon Henderson, Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, De'Von Achane, Jaylen Wright and Travis Etienne). Estime could be a league-winner in all formats in Week 16.
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Saints' Audric Estime: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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The Saints could have running back issues in Week 16 against the Jets if Alvin Kamara (knee) and Devin Neal (hamstring) are both out. Estime and Evan Hull (1 percent rostered) would split the workload if Kamara and Neal can't play, and I would give Estime the slight lean as the better Fantasy running back. Both had little work in Week 15 against Carolina after Neal was injured, with Estime at three carries for 11 yards and three catches for 39 yards on three targets, while Hull had four carries for 12 yards. It's a great matchup since the Jets are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Estime and Hull would be flex options if Kamara and Neal are out.
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Saints' Audric Estime: Splits with Hull after Neal injury
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Estime rushed three times for 11 yards and caught all three of his targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Panthers.
Estime and Evan Hull (four carries for 12 yards, no targets) took on larger roles after Devin Neal (hamstring) exited in the second quarter. If neither Neal nor Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) return in Week 16 against the Jets, Estime and Hull would be in line for expanded roles. Estime had only three carries all season coming into Sunday's win.
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Saints' Audric Estime: Healthy scratch Week 12
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Estime (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Estime joined the Saints' active roster in early November to provide the Saints with more backfield depth after Kendre Miller tore his ACL in mid-October. Estime saw five snaps (three on offense, two on special teams) in Week 10 against the Panthers, but he will be a healthy scratch for Sunday's NFC South clash. That leaves Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal as the Saints' two running backs on the active roster for Week 12. Estime's next chance to play is Week 13 against the Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 30.
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Saints' Audric Estime: Joins active roster
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The Saints signed Estime to their active roster Wednesday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
The second-year running back from Notre Dame signed with the Saints' practice squad in late October and has now earned a spot on the active roster. Estime appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Broncos in 2024, rushing 76 times for 310 yards and two touchdowns. He's likely to have a depth role in the Saints' backfield, playing behind Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal.
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Audric Estime: Lands with New Orleans
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The Saints signed Estime to their practice squad Tuesday.
Estime spent the preseason with Denver -- the team that drafted him in the fifth round in 2024 -- before being waived in late August. Estime then signed to Philadelphia's practice squad but was waived last week. He'll now get a look from the Saints, who just lost RB Kendre Miller to a season-ending knee injury. Velus Jones was promoted to New Orleans' active roster from its practice squad Tuesday, opening up a space for Estime to join the latter group.
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Audric Estime: Cut from practice squad
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The Eagles cut Estime from the practice squad Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Estime spent training camp and the preseason with the Broncos but was squeezed out of a roster spot following Denver's offseason additions of J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. He spent the first six weeks of the season on Philly's practice squad but will look for a new opportunity elsewhere.
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Audric Estime: Joining Philly's practice squad
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Estime is in line to sign with the Eagles' practice squad, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
Estime was embedded in a battle for a roster spot in a crowded Broncos backfield this summer and lost out to J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. After getting cut Tuesday, Estime cleared waivers one day later and quickly found a new home. He'll now be a depth option in the event Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley or AJ Dillon needs to miss time for any reason.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Strong showing to wrap up preseason
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Estime rushed eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown and brought in one of two targets for eight yards in the Broncos' 28-19 preseason win over the Saints on Saturday afternoon.
The second-year back led the Broncos in rush attempts and rushing yards while also recording a five-yard TD run with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Estime's primary competition for the No. 3 running back job, Jaleel McLaughlin, did not log a carry or target, which could very well mean he's locked into his spot on the depth chart. However, Estime did enter the game after both rookie RJ Harvey and Tyler Badie, with the latter's in-game slotting certainly noteworthy. Nevertheless, assuming Estime makes it through final cuts, he could work his way into some reps across all three downs as the season unfolds, and Saturday's performance certainly did nothing to harm his chances of such.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Handles eight carries in win
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Estime rushed eight times for 21 yards and caught his lone target for 20 yards in Saturday's 30-9 preseason win over the 49ers.
Estime recorded the most carries of any Broncos running back, but his first rushing attempt did not come until the start of the third quarter. The second-year back has fallen down the depth chart heading into the 2025 season, and finds himself in a crowded running back room with J.K. Dobbins, rookie RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson. With added competition for playing time, the possibility remains that Estime could be the odd man out at the end of the preseason. According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, Badie's work on special teams and his patience in the run game could be the reason Estime will face an uphill battle to make the team. The Notre Dame product will have his next opportunity to earn a spot on the roster when the Broncos host the Cardinals in Denver's second preseason game next Saturday night.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Workload could increase Year 2
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Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Estime is a "back that requires enough touches" and "just didn't have enough as a rookie," but is "going to get those opportunities" during the 2025 season, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Estime and fellow incumbent Jaleel McLaughlin opened OTAs taking the majority of first-team running back reps, but courtesy of his second-round draft capital, it shouldn't take long for rookie RJ Harvey to climb the depth chart. A 2024 fifth-round pick, Estime racked up 76 carries for 310 yards and two touchdowns across 14 regular-season games as a rookie, while securing all five of his targets for 27 yards and fumbling twice (one lost). He was also a healthy scratch for the team's wild-card round playoff loss to the Bills. Harvey's addition to the backfield figures to more than account for the touches vacated by Javonte Williams' departure for Dallas in free agency, but Payton appears to still envision a clear role for Estime, even acknowledging that his bruising rushing style requires ample opportunities to wear down opposing defenses. At 5-foot-11, 227-pounds, Estime could operate as a 'thunder' complement to the 5-foot-8, 205-pound Harvey's 'lightning,' though the latter tailback demonstrated an ability to withstand a workhorse role during his time at UCF.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Mixed results in rookie season
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Estime finished the 2024 regular season with 76 carries for 310 yards and two touchdowns while catching all five of his targets for 27 yards. He also committed two fumbles (one lost) across 13 games.
Estime was inactive for the Broncos' wild-card loss to the Broncos, as Denver opted to go with a three-man running back rotation of Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. The 21-year-old Estime was stuck in a committee in his rookie campaign, unable to separate himself as the go-to option in the Denver backfield. With that said, the Notre Dame product showed flashes in his limited opportunities throughout the season, so his continued development may help him attain a more secure role in his sophomore campaign. Williams could be in a new locale in 2025, as the veteran is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. His potential departure would leave Estime, McLaughlin and Badie competing to be Denver's lead back. It's also possible the Broncos will address the position in free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Inactive for wild-card round
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Estime (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's AFC wild-card game against the Bills.
Estime's inactive status comes as a bit of a surprise considering he recorded at least nine touches in each of the final three games of the regular season and has contributed on special teams. However, Estime will be the odd man out of the Broncos' backfield due to Tyler Badie (back) returning from injured reserve. Denver will go with a three-man backfield of Jaleel McLaughlin, Javonte Williams and Badie for Sunday's playoff game.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Lots of work in garbage time
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Estime rushed the ball 12 times for 34 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-0 win over the Chiefs.
Estime logged double-digit carries for the second time in his rookie season, though he mostly worked behind both Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams. Of Estime's 12 carries, 10 came in the fourth quarter with the Broncos up by at least four scores. Barring a similar game script -- which would come as a shock -- in Denver's wild-card round matchup against the Bills, Estime isn't likely to play a significant role in the offense.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Totals 37 yards
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Estime rushed the ball nine times for 24 yards in Saturday's 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals. He added one reception on one target for 13 yards.
Estime earned nine carries for the second consecutive week, finishing second narrowly behind Jaleel McLaughlin for touches out of the backfield. He had difficulty finding running room, as his longest rush went for just six yards, and he was held for two yards or fewer on four of his nine carries. While Estime seems to have established a role in the Denver offense, his fantasy appeal remains limited in the split backfield.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Efficient as backfield leader
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Estime rushed nine times for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos' 34-27 loss to the Chargers on Thursday night.
In a game in which fellow RB Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) was sidelined, Estime outpaced Javonte Williams and Blake Watson by five carries apiece -- although Williams did log a team-high 11 targets -- making the rookie back the leader of Denver's ground attack on the night. Estime also recorded his first NFL touchdown on a three-yard run just before the midway point of the first quarter to cap off a 10-play, 72-yard drive and open the scoring on the night. Estime had recorded 16 rushing yards or less on six or fewer carries in four consecutive games heading into Thursday, and it remains to be seen if his efficient performance will keep him in the lead role for a favorable Week 17 road matchup against the Bengals on Saturday, Dec. 28.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Six touches in win
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Estime rushed five times for 13 yards while catching his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 31-13 win over the Colts.
Estime had another unimpressive performance Sunday, though his six total touches were his most since Week 11. As the Denver backfield continues to be a full-blown committee, the rookie running back has seen limited opportunities to make much noise on offense. Estime played just 13 of the Broncos' 63 offensive snaps against the Colts, behind both Javonte Williams (34) and Jaleel McLaughlin (15). For fantasy purposes, Estime, a Notre Dame product, is nothing more than a middling insurance policy in the event of injuries to either Williams or McLaughlin going forward. The Broncos visit the Chargers in Week 16.
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Broncos' Audric Estime: Three carries in Week 12
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Estime rushed three times for 15 yards in Sunday's 29-19 win over the Raiders.
Just two weeks after seemingly taking over as the Broncos' No. 1 running back, Estime has seen his usage diminish drastically since Week 10, now operating as Denver's third option out of the backfield. The rookie played just five of the Broncos' 68 offensive snaps, behind both Javonte Williams (38) and Jaleel McLaughlin (20). His eight-percent snap share Sunday was a precipitous drop from the last two contests in which Estime handled snap shares of 45 percent and 22 percent in Weeks 10 and 11, respectively. Fantasy managers hoping to have found a late-season may need to come to terms with the fact that head coach Sean Payton will use the hot-hand approach with Denver's running back committee, limiting the 21-year-old Estime's weekly upside. Though he'll be difficult to trust in fantasy lineups, the Notre Dame product will have his next chance to get more involved in the offense when the Broncos host the Browns in Week 13.
