Considering Trevor Lawrence or Travis Etienne for fantasy football? Here's what to know

Some estimates say more than 40 million people play fantasy football each year.

While many partake in daily or weekly fantasy activities, many enjoy season-long leagues where teams are either drafted before the season or are part of recurring (keeper) leagues.

Last week I took part in a draft for a new keeper league with 10 teams, so I did my homework accordingly.

With a keeper league, you have to draft to win, but with an eye to the future. Sometimes you choose a younger player with promise over a consistent performer who is getting older by NFL standards.

As I did my research, I was curious to see where Jaguars player like Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne or Christian Kirk would appear, and if any other Jags would be listed in the top 170, according to a world-renown sports and fantasy outlet.

More from the Jaguars:

• Top 10 QB?Can Trevor Lawrence top 4,000 passing yards in 2022? Prop bets say there's a 50/50 chance

• Think you know the Jaguars?: Here are some franchise facts that will make you even smarter

• Waiting for his moment: New Jaguar Darious Williams working toward making hometown start

Keeping in mind, where a player is listed by expert analysis, and where a co-worker, friend or relative selects them are two completely different stories.

Etienne was the first Jaguar to appear on the mock draft, at No. 60 overall, and the 22nd best running back. Lawrence was listed at No. 65 (QB17). Kirk, as I figured, clocked in third at No. 94 (WR35).

Despite his injury, James Robinson showed up at No. 109 (RB35). After that, that was it. No more Jags.

A sleeper to consider is Zay Jones, whom Lawrence connected on a 32-yard pass to get the offense started in last Saturday’s preseason game against Cleveland.

Are Jaguars players good value in fantasy football?

Let’s take a closer look.

Will Travis Etienne light up the scoreboard?

Etienne didn’t play his rookie season because of a Lisfranc injury, but has been impressive by all accounts in the preseason.

Jacksonville’s top rusher last year was Robinson, who got hurt with three games to play in the season. He had 767 yards and wasn’t utilized as well as he could have been by former coach Urban Meyer. Lawrence was next on the team with 334 rushing yards.

You’d expect the overall team total to be higher this season, especially if Robinson returns and splits time with Etienne.

That could be bad for fantasy owners of Etienne. Yet, Etienne also should be a good option as a pass-catching back.

In his final year at Clemson, Etienne accounted for 588 receiving yards from … you guessed it … his current teammate, Lawrence.

It’s also important to note that while Jaguars running backs amassed just over 400 receiving yards last season, new head coach Doug Pederson’s 2017 Super Bowl champion Eagles had nearly 1,100. I imagine we’d see this trend with him as Jags head coach.

While Etienne was listed at No. 60 overall and the 22nd best RB, in our draft, he went 39th overall and as RB17.

Robinson (109-RB35) was taken No. 94 (RB34) in our draft.

Can Trevor Lawrence be a Top 10 quarterback?

For his rookie season, Lawrence totaled 3,641 yards, which amounts to just over 214 yards per game. He had just 12 touchdowns to 17 interceptions.

He also only threw for more than 300 yards twice, 332 yards in his debut on Sept. 12, 2021, and 319 yards on Oct. 17, 2021.

However, with a new coach and a year under his belt, a lot more is expected of the can’t-miss No. 1 pick from 2021.

Vegas odds have set his over/under at 4,000.5 yards.

Ten quarterbacks had more than 4,000 yards last year.

You’d expect to see the touchdown total greater than the interception total in 2022.

And I’d expect him to gain some rushing yardage, too, as he has wheels, and he’s not afraid to use them.

For our draft, Lawrence went 106th overall despite being No. 65 on the mock draft, but he was the 13th QB taken despite being listed as QB17.

What impact will new receivers have?

Kirk led the Arizona Cardinals with 982 receiving yards last year. The Jags were led by Marvin Jones in 2021 (832 yards), and he returns this season looking to do even better.

Laviska Shenault was second at 619. He, too, returns for the Jags, but with Jones, Kirk, Zay Jones and Evan Engram, it might be hard for him to get the number of touches that he’s hoping for.

Jones had 546 yards in 2021 for Las Vegas.

And Engram had 408 yards in abbreviated time last year, but in the year prior he had 654 when he was healthy for the full season.

Kirk, listed at No. 94 (WR35) in the mock draft, ended up being taken 101st (WR41) in our draft.

Engram, who wasn’t listed among the top 170, was taken by yours truly with the 180th and final pick in our draft. He was TE19.

Obviously, if you’re playing daily fantasy, you’ll want to look at the matchups when the Jaguars play lower-rated defenses. This will be a good time to take a chance on Lawrence, Etienne or one of their dynamic teammates.

Good luck in your drafts, have fun picking and I hope the 2022 Fantasy Football season is everything you hope it will be.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Which Jacksonville Jaguars should be on your fantasy football team?