Pressure makes diamonds. There is no pressure quite like trying to plug in the right fantasy football options from a roster full of similar options. I’m happy to help you make those final decisions when it comes to your RB start/sit calls.
Data from TruMedia, unless stated
Which Running Backs Should Fantasy Managers Start in Week 3?
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIA)
Charbonnet posted a 95.5% snap share in Week 2, the highest mark by a running back this season as he assumed Walker’s role in its entirety.
Zach Charbonnet puts Seattle ahead #Seahawks
📺: #SEAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/TRGCyBQ6zC— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
In the spot start, Charbonnet posted his second NFL game with 30+ rushing yards, 30+ receiving yards, and a rushing score. All other Seattle RBs since 2020 have two such games (Walker and Alex Collins), an ode to the skill set that is in his profile.
In a game in which Seattle is expected to win, I have Charbonnet labeled as a starting option in all formats. He’s a nice matchup play, ranking in the same range as D’Andre Swift (at IND) and Jerome Ford (vs. NYG).
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (vs. NYG)
Ford piled up the fantasy points in garbage time during the Week 1 blowout loss to the Cowboys, but when the “gimme” looks in the passing game dried up in a competitive contest with the Jaguars, he was left without much value at all.
Ford is a boom-or-bust running back, a profile I’m more willing to start in an offense with some level of stability – the Browns aren’t that. For the season, I’m very out on 2023’s worst running back in terms of gain rate, but for Week 3, he slides into RB2 status against a Giants defense that allows the most yards per carry after contact to running backs this season (4.83).
Which Running Backs Should Fantasy Managers Sit in Week 3?
Devin Singletary, New York Giants (at CLE)
With five targets in Week 1 and a touchdown in Week 2, Singletary has sustained marginal value up to this point. He finished the 21-18 loss in Washington last week as an RB2, thanks in large part to a game script that never got out of hand.
I’m not banking on that being the case often for the Giants and as a near-touchdown underdog in a game with a low total, there’s not much to like in this profile — he’s my lowest-ranked running back that I project to get 15+ touches this week.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos (at TB)
The explosive nature of his game is encouraging, but the opportunity simply hasn’t been there (sub-35% snap share in both games). He’s very much worthy of holding onto, but my fear is that we are chasing his role changing much the way we’ve done for Jaylen Warren for years.