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Week 2 Running Back Preview: Christian McCaffrey Back On Top

Top Fantasy RBs for Week 2

Here are the top Week 2 running backs, with usage and matchup takeaways powering our Week 2 RB rankings.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

Derrick Henry, Ravens

Henry continued to defy age last week, scoring two touchdowns from outside of 30 yards en route to an R1 overall finish. Henry averaged 119 scrimmage yards and scored 3 TDs against the Browns last season. He's set up for another monster outing in a game where the Ravens are favored by a league-high 11.5 points. 

Justice Hill, Ravens

Hill is still clearly Baltimore's No. 2 RB. He played 23 snaps in their opener, compared to 1 for Rasheen Ali. The Ravens are the biggest favorites on the slate, which could lead to Hill seeing more second-half carries in addition to his usual role in the passing game. 

Dylan Sampson, Browns

Sampson only averaged 2.4 yards per carry as a runner, but supplemented his Week 1 production by catching 8 balls. He'll split time with Jerome Ford, but appears to be in the lead for touches. Sampson offers RB3/flex value in a game where the Browns are expected to be trailing. 

Jerome Ford, Browns

Sampson only averaged 2.4 yards per carry as a runner, but supplemented his Week 1 production by catching 8 balls. He'll split time with Jerome Ford, but appears to be in the lead for touches. Sampson offers RB3/flex value in a game where the Browns are expected to be trailing. 

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals

Chase Brown, Bengals

Brown handled 100% of the Bengals’ backfield rush attempts in Week 1, and another full workload is on tap vs. Jacksonville. The Bengals are projected for 26 points, a number surpassed by only three teams.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

Etienne handled 19 of 29 team RB touches in the opener. And that was before the Jags traded Tank Bigsby – who saw 5 carries – to the Eagles. While rookie LeQuint Allen took some passing-down work, Etienne projects for another 12+ touches in a favorable matchup.

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Chase shockingly managed only 2 catches for 26 yards in the opener. Note that Joe Burrow attempted only 23 passes, though. That volume – along with Chase’s production – should jump up this week vs. Jacksonville. 

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Javonte Williams, Cowboys 

Williams' two TDs helped prop him up in Week 1 despite only gaining 64 yards on 17 touches. With rookie Jaydon Blue a healthy scratch, Williams dominated RB touches at 77.3%. Williams should get volume if the Cowboys get up early in this game, and the Giants' defense struggled last week against the Commanders' RBs. Solid RB2. 

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants 

Tracy got 10 rushes for 24 yards in Week 1 and caught two passes as well. He was the clear lead RB, though Cam Skattebo and Devin Singletary both got some work. The Giants are road underdogs and may have to play catch-up up though, which could limit Tracy. He can be a high-end RB3 this week.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Gibbs' efficiency stunk in Week 1, but he nearly doubled David Montgomery in playing time and logged 19 touches -- including 11 receptions. That came in a trailing game script and with the Lions struggling to run the ball. Detroit should fare better in both areas this week, so we'll see exactly what the backfield split looks like.

D’Andre Swift, Bears

The good news: Swift garnered the league's fifth-highest opportunity share in Week 1. The bad new: He turned it into just 3.25 yards per touch. Detroit presents a more favorable matchup than Minnesota did on Monday night. That makes it easier to bet on the touch volume over worrying about the lagging efficiency. We'll see whether Roschon Johnson (if he plays) or another backfield mate can start siphoning work.

David Montgomery, Lions

Montgomery's likely to struggle pretty much any time the Lions play from behind. He played 19 fewer snaps (44-25) than Jahmyr Gibbs in that Week 1 game script that favored the speedy back. We'll see what the work balance looks like this week, but it sets up better for Monty than last week. Detroit arrives as the week's fourth-largest favorite.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

De’Von Achane, Dolphins

Achane scored a garbage-time TD in the opener. Overall, he was held back by a pitiful Miami offense that ran only 46 total plays. The good news? Achane's no longer on the injury report. And he should retain a sizable receiving role against New England.

TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots

Henderson garnered a ton of buzz over the summer. But he fell flat in the opener, finishing behind Rhamondre Stevenson in snap share (34%) and route rate (34%). The rookie’s big-play ability remains a threat to surface in any week, especially one like this against a floundering Dolphins defense. Keep Henderson active as a FLEX option.

Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

The Pats went pass-heavy in Week 1, limiting Stevenson to just 7 carries for 15 yards. He added 2 catches (on 3 targets) for an unspectacular day. The veteran at least played well ahead of TreyVeon Henderson, although that arrangement doesn’t figure to stick all season. Sunday supplies a shot at FLEX value, as Stevenson faces a Miami defense that just allowed 418 total yards to the Colts.

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers

McCaffrey, allegedly coming off a calf injury, racked up 22 carries and 10 targets in the opener. Now the 49ers head to New Orleans without QB Brock Purdy, WR Brandon Aiyuk, and TE George Kittle. McCaffrey could get another 30+ opportunities this week.

Alvin Kamara, Saints

Kamara played 82% of New Orleans' offensive snaps and handled 11 of 18 RB carries in the opener. He saw just two targets but ran a route on 73% of pass plays. Expect more targets going forward in a Saints offense that, as expected, was fast-paced and ran a lot of plays in Week 1 under new HC Kellen Moore. The 49ers present a tough challenge in Week 2, but volume should keep Kamara in fantasy lineups.

Brian Robinson, 49ers

Robinson was San Francisco's clear No. 2 RB in the opener, playing 25% of the snaps and garnering nine carries and two targets. He could be in for similar volume in Week 2 with the Niners likely to go run-heavy with Mac Jones under center. That puts Robinson on the RB3/Flex radar in non-PPR leagues.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

James Cook, Bills

Cook played 59% of Buffalo's snaps last week, turning 18 opportunities into 21.2 PPR points. That was good enough for an RB4 finish for the slate. This week, Cook projects to post another top-12 outing against a New York Jets' defense that has allowed Cook to top double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive matchups. 

Ray Davis, Bils

Davis only played 10% of Buffalo's snaps last week, but this game projects to be much tamer. Buffalo is favored by 6.5, setting up the possibility that the Bills are protecting a second-half lead. Davis has some fleeting flex value, but is rather TD-dependent. 

Breece Hall, Jets

The three-man backfield the Jets were supposed to utilize quickly evolved into a one-man show with Hall accumulating 145 yards of offense and 21 touches in 37 snaps. Buffalo just surrendered 176 yards to Baltimore's backfield, so view Hall as a top-20 option who is more than capable of helping out in the passing game if the Jets fall behind, as they often do against the Bills. 

Brealon Allen, Jets

Allen was outsnapped by Breece Hall 37-20 last week and found no room to run. His 6 rushes only went for 9 yards, though he did somewhat salvage his outing with a 1-yard TD plunge. Allen isn't a factor in the passing game, so he shapes up to be a TD-or-bust flex option versus the Bills. 

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers

Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks

Walker took a backseat to Zach Charbonnet in Week 1 in terms of fantasy scoring, but the duo seemed to alternate drives throughout the game. Walker also had three receptions while Charbonnet had none. Walker missed most of training camp with a foot injury and looked lost, failing to gain yardage on half his carries. The Jets were able to run all over the Steelers for 5.6 yards per carry from their RBs, so Walker still has high-end RB3 appeal. 

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

Charbonnet has 12 rushes for 47 yards and a TD in Week 1, besting teammate Kenneth Walker. The duo split carries drive for drive, with Charbonnet drawing the Seahawks’ lone TD drive. The split makes both fairly unappealing, but the Steelers gave up 5.6 yards per carry from Jets’ RBs in Week 1. Charbonnet could score again, giving him high-end RB3 appeal.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

Warren had only 25 snaps compared to 27 from Kenneth Gainwell, but turned 13 touches into 59 yards and a TD. Warren was the goal-line back for the Steelers as well. Gainwell was fairly inefficient, so it isn’t unreasonable to see an uptick in snaps for Warren this week. He is a solid RB3.

Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers

Gainwell was the surprise of Week 1, leading the Steelers in RB snaps. He did only have 23 yards on 10 touches, however, looking below average as a runner and receiver. If Gainwell does play 50% of snaps again, there is enough volume for him to be relevant. He sits as an RB4 this week.

Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans

Kyren Williams, Rams

The Rams carry the 10th-highest implied team total for Week 2 and arrive as the week's fifth-largest favorite. They'll face a Tennessee defense that ranked just 25th in Week 1 run-defense DVOA. That all sets Williams up with an attractive floor and intriguing upside. He maintained dominant control of the Week 1 backfield despite offseason questions about his work share.

Tony Pollard, Titans

Only Chase Brown drew a larger share of team carries in Week 1 than Pollard, who also ranked 15th among RBs in route rate. That level of backfield control is enough to make him a strong starting candidate, even in another potentially negative matchup against a tough Rams front.

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals

James Conner, Cardinals

Conner lost eight carries to Trey Benson in Week 1 but still looks like Arizona's clear lead back. He finished with 12 carries and four targets while registering a 65% snap rate and 55% route rate. Next up for Conner is a Jaguars defense that ranked 31st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs last year -- and then coughed up 173 yards on 6.9 yards per carry to Jaguars RBs in this year's opener.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Hubbard remained a workhorse in Week 1, playing 66% of Carolina's offensive snaps, handling 16 of 20 RB carries, and drawing five targets. That helped him produce 89 total yards and a score, even in a dud from the Panthers' offense. Hopefully, Bryce Young and Co. can bounce back in Week 2, but volume should keep Hubbard in fantasy lineups regardless.

Trey Benson, Cardinals

Benson remained Arizona's clear No. 2 RB in playing time and volume in Week 1. But he totaled 75 yards on nine touches and could be in for similar volume this weekend with the Cardinals 6.5-point home favorites for a bad Panthers defense. Carolina ranked 31st in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs last year and surrendered 173 yards on 6.9 yards per carry to Jaguars RBs in this year's opener. If you're hurting, Benson could deliver as an RB3 or Flex play this week.

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor, Colts

Taylor dominated Indy's Week 1 backfield touch share before ceding carries in the second half of a blowout win. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to cash in his goal-line attempts while QB Daniel Jones converted a pair for short TDs. This week, Taylor gets a downgrade due to the matchup with Denver. He's a high-end RB2 in the tough matchup. 

J.K. Dobbins, Broncos

Dobbins out-carried RJ Harvey 16-6 in Denver's opener. Dobbins ran for 60 yards, including a 19-yard TD. Expect the Broncos to continue to use both backs, but Dobbins appears to be the clear No. 1. That gives him solid RB3 value against a Colts' defense that allowed over 6 yards per carry last week. 

R.J. Harvey, Broncos

The second-round rookie only saw 6 carries in Denver's opener, but one of them was a 50-yard sprint, which helped open up Denver's rushing attack. Harvey is the clear No. 2 back, but he earned more opportunities moving forward. Expect him to see more involvement in the passing game, which keeps him on the RB3/flex radar. 

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs

Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Barkley finished seventh among PPR backs in Week 1, and it was actually a bad week for him: 3.3 yards per carry, 6.0 per rush. Philly's now favored (slightly) to win at Kansas City. The Chiefs are tough to run against, but Barkley will dominate carries and contribute plenty as a pass-catcher. 

Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs

Pacheco shared work to a frustrating degree with Kareem Hunt in the opener, with a matching five carries and three targets. Although he looks like the better player, nothing about the results for the two RBs screams for a Week 2 alteration to the plan. And getting DT Jalen Carter back will make Philly a more difficult matchup. This isn't a great spot to start Pacheco if you can help it.

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings

Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Last week, Robinson proved ineffective on the ground, rushing for only 24 yards on 12 carries. He saved his day with 100 receiving yards and a TD, but rush efficiency will be worth monitoring here. The Vikings limited D'Andre Swift to only 3.1 YPC in the opener. Last year, this Brian Flores-led group held RBs to a league-best -0.15 EPA per rush.

Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

Allgeier tallied 10 carries for 24 yards in the opener. He didn't garner a target on a 13% route rate. As usual, the veteran backup is best left on fantasy benches.

Jordan Mason, Vikings

Last week, Mason topped Aaron Jones in snap share (57% to 47%) and carries (15 to 8). The former Packer played ahead of Mason as a receiver, but that wasn’t a surprise. Mason’s early-season workload suggests FLEX value ahead of a fine matchup with Atlanta. 

Aaron Jones, Vikings

Jones scored on a nice downfield TD grab in Monday’s win over Chicago. But his overall usage wasn’t great, as Jordan Mason out-carried him 15 to 8. J.J. McCarthy’s uneven performance also adds some risk to Jones as an RB2. Atlanta’s run defense at least looks favorable from a personal standpoint, despite their solid debut against Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

Irving only mustered 2.6 yards per carry in Week 1, but a score and four catches saved his fantasy day. He did have 82% of backfield touches and looks to be in the driver's seat of the RB room this year. He is a top-10 RB this week due to usage, though the Texans only allowed 68 yards rushing to RBs last week.

Nick Chubb, Texans

Chubb was the workhorse for the Texans with 13 carries for 60 yards. He did not catch a pass, which caps Chubb’s ceiling. The Bucs also showed up against the run last week, holding Bijan Robinson to only two yards per carry. It doesn’t line up for a good Chubb game. He is a low-end RB3 at best.

Rachaad White, Buccaneers

White had three touches for 16 yards in Week 1, ceding most of his playing time to Bucky Irving. The gap appears to have widened with Irving playing 44 snaps to White’s 14. He will need more targets or a score to be worthwhile and should sit on the bench.

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders

Ashton Jeanty, Raiders

Jeanty found very little running room in Week 1, averaging just 1.0 yards before contact per attempt. We'll see if OC Chip Kelly can make some adjustments in Week 2. But Jeanty's usage should keep him locked into fantasy lineups. He played 87% of the Raiders' offensive snaps and handled 19 of 22 RB carries in the opener.

Omarion Hampton, Chargers

Hampton disappointed in the box score in his debut, but the usage was awesome. He played 81% of the offensive snaps, ran a route on 61% of pass plays, and handled 83% of the designed rush attempts -- all elite marks. Perhaps RB Najee Harris takes a bit more work in Week 2. But Hampton finds an excellent spot with his Chargers as 3.5-point favorites with a 25-point implied total vs. the Raiders.

Najee Harris, Chargers

Harris played just 18% of the Chargers' offensive snaps in the opener, finishing with one carry and one target. We're expecting a bit more work going forward, but he's nowhere near a fantasy option for Week 2.

Next Up

Week 2 Matchups That Matter: Perfect Bounce-Back Spot For Bengals

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Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.