It is always a great feeling coming out of your fantasy football draft with a number of good RBs on your roster. Unfortunately, it also somewhat creates a headache when you then have to decide which to start and where to sit. Looking ahead to Week 2, here are our recommended RB starts and sits.
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Which RBs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
It was tough sledding on the ground for the New England Patriots in their Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Fortunately, they are going to see a far more favorable matchup in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, who gave up 234 rushing yards to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Although Stevenson struggled to get much going on the ground against the Eagles, he still led the team in carries and receptions. Expect a more efficient day at the office for Stevenson in Week 2.
Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars’ offense looked the part of an improving unit in their season-opening 31-21 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
One thing worth noting is how the backfield split played out between Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby.
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Well, Week 1 strongly favored Etienne, who saw 23 total touches to Bigsby’s seven. Etienne also won Round 1 in the total yardage department, totaling 104 yards to Bigsby’s 13.
Both found the end zone on the ground, but we can expect that this is Etienne’s backfield to lose heading into a Week 2 matchup against the Chiefs, who gave up 118 rushing yards to the Lions.
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
Speaking of the Lions, Montgomery saw 21 total touches to Jahmyr Gibbs’ nine in the team’s upset win against the Chiefs to start the 2023 season.
Montgomery also scored the only rushing TD of the contest, collectively giving D’Andre Swift truthers déjà vu of their experience with Jamaal Williams constantly vulturing TDs from his more efficient and dynamic backfield counterpart.
I’ll admit, Gibbs looked fantastic with his limited work and should see his role expand as the season progresses. However, if last season taught us anything, as long as Montgomery continues to get this type of work in the backfield, he is a must-start until the usage drastically swings in the other direction.
Which RBs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
This is nothing personal against James Conner, but I still have a hard time trusting any Cardinals skill-position player while Joshua Dobbs is starting under center.
Conner was far from awful in his 2023 debut, logging 70 total yards on 19 touches against the Commanders in Week 1. Unfortunately, the offense didn’t generate a rushing or passing score last week and will face a Giants defense that was just humiliated on national television.
I would rather go in other directions at the running back position this week.
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
Mostert made an appearance on many of my DFS and redraft lineups last week but failed to make a huge impact with his 12 total touches in a high-scoring affair against the Chargers to start the season.
The matchup will not get any easier in Week 2 when the pass-heavy Miami offense will take on a Pats defense that held the potent Eagles rushing attack to just 97 yards on the ground.
I’m fine investing in the Dolphins’ passing offense but don’t see quite the same upside with their collection of running backs as this backfield continues to get healthier in the coming weeks.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
This is painful, but Swift’s two total touches for three yards mean you have to get him out of your starting lineup until further notice.
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Should You Start Tyler Allgeier or Khalil Herbert?
The Atlanta Falcons turned a bunch of heads with how much run Allgeier got in their season-opening win against the Carolina Panthers.
Allgeier touched the ball 18 times — which led all Falcons players — for 94 total yards and two scores. However, I’m not sure I see the Falcons’ game script being quite as kind in Week 2 against the Packers.
Herbert may have disappointed a bit in the season opener, but he did finish the game with more touches than any other Bears running back in Week 1.
The Bears’ offense should have a better offensive outing against the Buccaneers in Week 2. I’m willing to give Herbert a mulligan and put him in my starting lineup again this week.
Should You Start Najee Harris or Rhamondre Stevenson?
The Patriots’ passing offense was far more productive than many expected against the stout Eagles defense. While Stevenson’s performance on the ground was disappointing, his involvement in the passing game — six receptions for 64 yards — was encouraging.
The Dolphins gave up a ton of fantasy points to the Chargers RBs in Week 1 — Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley combined for 218 rushing yards and two scores — and should help Stevenson’s efficiency as a runner improve while maintaining a reliable pass-catching floor against the high-powered Dolphins offense which should make the Pats have to throw the ball to keep up on the scoreboard.
Harris is a quality player, but their matchup against a Browns defense that held the potent Bengals offense to just three points to start the year means this is a matchup to avoid.
I’ll roll with Rhamondre in Week 2.