Welcome to Week 3 of the Running Back Roundup, our weekly team-by-team review of the running back position for fantasy purposes. Last week’s games saw an impressive rookie grab the reins in Seattle, a former 2,000-yard rusher stake his claim in Arizona, and uncertainty arise in Washington and Tennessee.

There’s plenty to get to — so let’s get started.

Arizona Cardinals last week @IND, this week vs. DAL

Kerwynn Williams entered Week 2 as the Cardinals’ “starter,” but he didn’t do much with the opportunity, rushing nine times for just 22 yards against a Colts defense that was shredded by the run in 2016. By the end of the game, Chris Johnson had jumped Williams on the depth chart.

Johnson’s 11 carries for 44 yards won’t take your breath away, but he’s now well positioned to take an even larger piece of this backfield next week. His 2,000-yard season is obviously a distant memory, but perhaps Johnson isn’t quite washed up yet, and he has the size that Williams lacks to be an early down and goal line workhorse. This backfield is still volatile and could change again as soon as Week 3, but for now consider Johnson a reasonable RB3/flex option and Williams a drop candidate that is probably worth holding in leagues where RBs are scarce. As expected, Andre Ellington was used exclusively as a third down/passing down back and is only worth considering as a desperate flex option in PPR leagues.

As for David Johnson, coach Bruce Arians hopes to have him back by “Thanksgiving or Christmas.” That’s hardly a reliable timetable, but Turkey Day would be Week 12 and Xmas would be Week 16, in case you’re wondering. For now, I’d hold DJ if at all possible.

Atlanta Falcons last week vs. GB, this week @DET

The Falcons reminded fantasy owners that they possess two clearly startable running backs, as Devonta Freeman (21 touches, 100 yards, 2 TDs) and Tevin Coleman (8 touches, 45 yards, 1 TD) accounted for all three of the team’s offensive touchdowns in a victory over the Packers. Freeman is a no doubt top-5 option at the position, despite his somewhat low yardage totals. Coleman will be more hit-and-miss in any given week, but he’s settling into the same role that gave him a top 20 standard league finish among RBs last season.

Baltimore Ravens last week vs. CLE, this week @JAC

Buck Allen continued to lay claim to the highly-involved role that the Ravens had likely envisioned for Danny Woodhead, turning 19 touches into 101 yards and a score against the Browns. Allen may lose out on some goal-line work, but he looks like far and away the best bet for backfield touches in Baltimore until Woodhead returns, and quite possibly beyond that. He’s squarely on the RB2 radar at the moment.

Meanwhile, Terrance West owners were likely pulling their hair out as they watched Alex Collins, rather than West, carry the ball as the Ravens ran down the clock in the fourth quarter. After the game we learned that West had suffered a minor soft tissue injury, which helps explain his lack of usage, but coach John Harbaugh also suggested that Collins may have earned more playing time with his performance. If West can hold onto the early down/goal line role in the Ravens’ offense, he’ll be on the RB3/flex map, but if that role devolves into a timeshare with Collins it will be very tough to trust him.

Buffalo Bills last week @CAR, this week vs. DEN

LeSean McCoy had a miserable afternoon in Charlotte, gaining just nine yards on 12 carries as the Bills were held out of the end zone. The game is a reminder that the Bills are not a great offense, and the yards may be hard to come by against good defenses. Still, McCoy added six catches for 34 yards to salvage a bit of fantasy value. The fact that the entire offense revolves around him gives Shady a solid floor, and look no further than his Week 1 performance to see that he still has quite a high ceiling as well. Don’t overrate a rough week, McCoy is still a clear RB1.

Mike Tolbert had four touches for six yards and is only a good bet to hit paydirt when the Bills project to score a lot of points. But it’s worth remembering that Buffalo has been the No. 1 rushing offense for two years running, so Tolbert isn’t the worst flex dart throw when the matchup is favorable and you’re in a major pinch.

Carolina Panthers last week vs. BUF, this week vs. NO

It wasn’t just the Bills that struggled to move the ball in Charlotte. The Panthers failed to get in the end zone, too. For the second consecutive week, Jonathan Stewart (15 touches for 40 yards) received more work than rookie Christian McCaffrey (12 touches for 44 yards). Expect Stewart to continue to get about two-thirds of the carries, including goal-line work, while McCaffrey makes most of his impact as a receiver out of the backfield. Stewart still gets a slight edge in non-PPR leagues, but both remain in the RB2 conversation, particularly in favorable matchups like Week 3 against New Orleans.

Chicago Bears last week @TB, this week vs. PIT

Jordan Howard’s tumble down the running back rankings is sure to continue after he managed just nine carries for seven yards against Tampa Bay. He was also spotted after the game with a sling on his ailing shoulder, so his owners will need to watch the injury reports closely this week.

Tarik Cohen (15 touches for 68 yards) further solidified his standing as the Bears’ clear-cut pass-catching back, but the reservations I expressed about him last week still hold true. He did not run the ball anymore effectively than Howard and is simply too small to see consistent work between the tackles and at the goal line. Cohen may see fewer touches in games where the Bears happen to have a lead, and he may not see a major boost in carries even if Howard misses time. Cohen is a nice RB2 option in PPR leagues and a solid flex play in standard leagues, but Howard has greater season-long potential in non-PPR formats and remains an intriguing buy-low candidate.

Cincinnati Bengals last week @TB, this week @GB

The Bengals offense has been atrociously bad through the season’s first two games, and they’ve continued to evenly divvy up touches between Joe Mixon, Jeremy Hill, and Gio Bernard, making them all unappealing fantasy options.

But before you give up all hope for this backfield, notice that change is afoot in Cincy. The team fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese, replacing him with quarterbacks coach and former Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. In an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer, Lazor admitted that he’s not used to using a three-back rotation and spoke of the need to get one of the team’s running backs “in rhythm.”

Lamar Miller was a bell cow back for Lazor in Miami, so perhaps he’ll give one of the Bengals runners a chance to seize the bulk of the workload. If so, the logical choice would be Mixon, who the team invested a second-round pick in this year. Mixon is a risky RB3/flex at the moment, but he’s an intriguing player to buy-low on. Hill is also a low-end RB3/flex for now, and Bernard is only a decent flex option in PPR leagues.

Cleveland Browns last week @BAL, this week @IND

Isaiah Crowell is still the lead dog in the Cleveland backfield, but that isn’t translating to a ton of fantasy value at the moment. Crowell hasn’t topped 40 rushing yards in either game so far and received just 10 touches in Week 2 as the Browns fell behind early. Crowell’s usage keeps him in the RB2 conversation, but he’ll need team-wide offensive improvement to become a difference-maker for fantasy owners.

Duke Johnson actually had the more productive fantasy game against the Ravens, turning seven touches into 80 yards. Johnson will benefit statistically when the Browns are in comeback mode, but he is still just a PPR flex option.

Dallas Cowboys last week @DEN, this week @ARZ

Ezekiel Elliott had a terrible game against a tough Denver defense, capped off by standing idly by while the Broncos’ Chris Harris ran right past him on an interception return. Not that it changes Elliott’s status as a top-10 running back in fantasy football.

The much bigger issue remains Elliott’s looming domestic violence suspension. While recent rulings by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant III have received a lot of attention, it’s the next court ruling that will likely determine Elliott’s fate. As the Dallas Observer helpfully explained on Tuesday, “as early as today and likely no later than next week, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will issue a decision that will either allow Elliott to stay on the field or require him to immediately start serving the six-game suspension Roger Goodell assigned him in August.”

Until we get final word on Elliott’s suspension, Alfred Morris should be owned in all fantasy leagues. Morris and Darren McFadden would both likely have a role if Elliott is suspended, but McFadden has been inactive each of the first two weeks, so Morris is the more likely lead back. Despite a rough Week 2, the Cowboys should be an excellent running team most weeks and their starting running back is an automatic play in fantasy leagues.

Denver Broncos last week vs. DAL, this week @BUF

C.J. Anderson ran for 118 yards and a score against the Cowboys, piling up his most rushing yardage in a game since 2014, and added 36 receiving yards and a touchdown reception for good measure. With 20+ carries in each of the first two games, Anderson has entered the RB1 conversation for as long as his health cooperates.

Meanwhile, Jamaal Charles had exactly 10 touches for the second straight game. Charles has been very efficient with his opportunities (4.5 YPC), but he’s not getting enough work to be anything more than a less-than-ideal flex play for now. Given his talent and Anderson’s injury history, Charles is still worth hanging onto in most leagues. But if the Broncos are really dead set on limiting Charles’ workload, it’s possible De’Angelo Henderson, Devontae Booker, or Jonathan Williams would be the one to benefit most if something happened to Anderson.

Detroit Lions last week @NYG, this week vs. ATL

Not much has changed in this quagmire of a backfield. Ameer Abdullah managed a career-high 86 yards rushing, but as is usually the case he did not score, and the Lions are still looking for their first 100 yard-rusher since Reggie Bush in 2013. Abdullah is the preferred play in this backfield in standard leagues, but fantasy owners should not overrate the carry totals for a player who is uninvolved at the goal line or in the passing game. Theo Riddick (12 touches for 37 yards) remains a solid PPR flex option, and although Dwayne Washington is not an advisable start in any format, he is still around as a potential TD vulture.

Green Bay Packers last week @ATL, this week vs. CIN

Few running backs have done more to improve their stock since the start of the season than Ty Montgomery. Through two games, Montgomery has received 29 carries to just two for backup Jamaal Williams. While Montgomery hasn’t been a very productive runner (3.1 YPC), he has scored two rushing touchdowns and been very active in the passing game (114 receiving yards and a TD catch through two games).

Montgomery’s bell cow usage makes him a must-start in all formats, although he still needs to prove that he can handle that role for an entire season. Williams remains the best Montgomery handcuff and a decent stash, although his severe lack of game action leaves the door open for Aaron Jones or Devante Mays to eventually surpass him on the depth chart.

Houston Texans last week @CIN, this week @NE

Lamar Miller (21 touches for 87 yards) had a near-identical performance in Week 2 to Week 1. The difference was that rookie D’Onta Foreman (12 carries for 40 yards) also got in on the action this time around.

The Texas are not looking like a high-scoring offense, which caps the fantasy upside of this backfield. But it will be worth watching if Foreman continues to command a decent chunk of the carries going forward, and what he can do with those carries if given the opportunity. He’s a recommended stash for Miller owners as well as anyone else looking to invest in a young talent with a clear path to a decent workload. That said, Miller remains the favorite for the majority of rushing work and is also the main pass-catching back, so he’s still worth using as a boring but reliable RB2.

Indianapolis Colts last week vs. ARZ, this week CLE

Frank Gore had another fairly pedestrian yardage total (14 carries for 46 yards), but he found the end zone for his fantasy owners. He also saw more than twice as many carries as Marlon Mack (six) or Robert Turbin (three). Gore is a fairly TD-dependent fantasy option at this point in his career, so he could really use Andrew Luck back to create more scoring opportunities. He’s best deployed as an RB3 right now but could get back into the RB2 conversation upon Luck’s return.

Mack may see more opportunities as the season progresses, but he isn’t a flex option right now and there’s probably better lotto tickets to stash in most leagues given the Colts’ offensive struggles. Turbin may vulture a TD here and there, but he isn’t worth rostering.

Jacksonville Jaguars last week vs. TEN, this week vs. BAL

Leonard Fournette found the sledding much tougher in Week 2, but he still managed 16 touches for 61 yards and a touchdown. Game script will be key to his fantasy fortunes. If the Jags’ D can shut down opponents, Fournette will handle a heavy workload, but if the team falls behind as it often did last season, they’ll likely abandon the running game. Regardless, Fournette is operating at the team’s clear lead back, which makes him at worst an RB2.

T.J. Yeldon was surprisingly inactive for Sunday’s game, which just goes to show that Chris Ivory (nine touches for 48 yards) is the clear handcuff for Fournette. Ivory has been a decent fantasy option in the past, and Fournette’s injury history makes him an interesting stash to consider.

Kansas City Chiefs last week vs. PHI, this week @LAC

For much of Sunday’s game against the Eagles, Kareem Hunt looked to be crashing back down to Earth after his incredible Week 1 performance. But then he broke off a 53-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter, and later scored again from two yards out. By the time the game was over, Hunt was again one of fantasy football’s top performers, finishing with 16 touches for 109 yards and the aforementioned two TDs.

Hunt obviously won’t score multiple touchdowns every week, but he is an every-down back in a productive offense that is built around him. It’s only been two games, but Hunt has clearly established himself as an RB1 and should be considered a top-five RB going forward. Backup Charcandrick West did not even touch the ball once, but still has some stash appeal in deep leagues as Hunt’s handcuff.

Los Angeles Chargers last week vs. MIA, this week vs. KC

Melvin Gordon struggled mightily in the running game against the Dolphins (nine carries for 13 yards), but a rushing TD and 65 receiving yards salvaged his fantasy day. Gordon’s effectiveness as a runner remains underwhelming, but as long as he maintains his bell cow usage he is a clear-cut RB1 anyway.

Branden Oliver was rarely on the field, but he did gain twice as many yards on one carry (26) as Gordon gained all day. It’s a reminder that Oliver could quickly become a must-start option if Gordon were to miss time, and is therefore worth stashing in some leagues.

Los Angeles Rams last week vs. WAS, this week @SF

Todd Gurley silenced the doubters in Week 2, rushing 16 times for 88 yards and a TD (5.5 YPC) while adding 48 yards and another score in the receiving game. The jury is still out on Gurley’s effectiveness as a runner, but his high volume and receiving prowess give him a healthy floor, and his owners have plenty to be encouraged about heading into Week 3. He’s back in the RB1 conversation.

Malcolm Brown barely saw the field. While Brown is only worth stashing in leagues where most backup RBs are owned, he could suddenly find himself with a large workload if Gurley were to go down.

Miami Dolphins last week @SD, this week @NYJ

He had to wait an extra week, but Jay Ajayi opened his 2017 campaign in style, rushing 28 times for 122 yards against the Chargers. As an every-down back, Ajayi is a legit RB1. In the battle of the backups, Damien Williams did not touch the ball, while Kenyan Drake lost three yards on his only carry. Neither is the clear handcuff to Ajayi, and neither is a worthwhile stash right now.

Minnesota Vikings last week @PIT, this week vs. TB

After a big Week 1, Dalvin Cook was relatively quiet in Week 2, rushing 12 times for 64 yards. The good news for Cook owners is that he was still quite effective with his opportunities (5.3 YPC), and received twice as many carries as Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon combined.

Cook has played a limited role in the passing game up to this point, so he will need the Vikings to stay in games in order to receive a heavy workload. Minnesota fell behind quickly in Week 2, but that shouldn’t happen too often to the Vikings’ stout defense. Cook remains in the RB1 conversation, while neither Murray nor McKinnon needs to be owned outside of very deep leagues.

New England Patriots last week @NO, this week vs. HOU

Mike Gillislee followed up his three touchdown Week 1 performance with 18 carries for 69 yards and a score in Week 2. In addition to holding goal-line duties in one of the league’s most potent offenses, Gillislee serves as the team’s closer, battering tired defenses and running out the clock after the Patriots get out to a commanding lead, as they did against the Saints. He’ll need a touchdown to be a useful RB2 most weeks, but there are few if any backs that are a better bet to score.

James White, meanwhile, did little on the ground but racked up eight catches for 85 yards. His pass-catching role in the offense is quite stable, making him a reliable RB2 in PPR leagues and an RB3/flex in standard formats. For the second week in a row, Rex Burkhead got the “start” in the backfield, and he caught Tom Brady’s first touchdown pass of the season before exiting with a rib injury. Burkhead may need to steal some of Gillislee’s goal line work or White’s passing down work to be a viable starting option, but he remains worth holding in many leagues because of his multiple paths to fantasy value. Dion Lewis actually received the second-most carries in Week 2 (four), but he seems further away than Burkhead from a major role in the offense.

New Orleans Saints last week vs. NE, this week @CAR

It’s officially time to give up on Adrian Peterson as a startable fantasy asset. Last week I warned that Peterson’s lack of involvement in the passing game was a major concern for his weekly involvement in the offense, and Sunday’s game demonstrated why.

Peterson and Mark Ingram each had eight carries, but Ingram gained twice as much yardage with his opportunities (52 yards to 26), and remained involved as a receiver when the Saints fell behind and abandoned the run. That makes Ingram a solid RB2, while Peterson is a dicey, touchdown-dependent flex option. Alvin Kamara hauled in a 38-yard catch among his 54 yards rushing/receiving, but his role is not yet significant enough to be a reliable flex option, either.

New York Giants last week vs. DET, this week @PHI

For the second straight week, the Giants’ offense looked like a trainwreck. And once again, the team’s most useful RB was passing-down specialist Shane Vereen, who had nine touches for 55 yards. Vereen is unlikely to be anything more than a low-end flex option in standard leagues, but he has some appeal as an RB3 in PPR.

Presumptive “starter” Paul Perkins failed to top 25 yards for the second consecutive week and is a drop candidate in standard leagues (let alone PPR). Orleans Darkwa again received just three carries, but showed more burst than Perkins and could easily be leading the team in carries as soon as next week. Unfortunately, even if that happens it may not translate into anything more than RB3 value for Darkwa given the Giants’ inability to run the ball.

New York Jets last week @OAK, this week vs. MIA

Matt Forte would like you to know that he isn’t retired yet. Forte outgained fantasy favorite Bilal Powell by 40 yards on the ground, and by 38 yards through the air. Rookie Elijah McGuire got in on the act too, proving more productive than Powell on the same number of carries (six).

McGuire’s involvement means that the Jets’ backfield has gotten even messier for fantasy owners. Forte looks like the most promising option for now, but he can only be considered an RB3/flex at best. Powell is a drop candidate in shallow leagues but might be worth holding onto a bit longer in leagues where RBs are hard to come by, on the chance that he can regain control of this backfield (or Forte is traded). There’s no need to stash McGuire, the third back in what should be one of the league’s worst offenses, although the Jets could give him more chances as the year progresses.

Oakland Raiders last week vs. NYJ, this week @WAS

Marshawn Lynch wasn’t as productive as he was in Week 1, but he did score a touchdown, so his owners can’t complain. Expecting vintage Beast Mode was always probably a pipe dream, but Lynch is set up for success if he gets about 15 touches a week and goal-line work on a highly-potent Raiders offense.

Jalen Richard’s two big players — a 52-yard touchdown scamper and a 39-yard catch — will probably make him a popular name on the waiver wire this week. But Richard actually received one fewer touch (eight) than fellow backup DeAndre Washington (nine). Richard’s big game may give him a slight edge over Washington going forward, but there is too much history of the two splitting backup duties evenly to believe that anything major has changed. Both remain worth stashing in deep leagues because of the Raiders high-octane offense, but standard league owners picking up Richard to immediately plug in as a flex option are likely to be disappointed.

Philadelphia Eagles last week @KC, this week vs. NYG

The Eagles handed the ball off just 13 times in a game that was close throughout. Ten of those carries went to passing-down specialist Darren Sproles, who turned them into 48 yards and now looks like the best back to own in Philadelphia regardless of format. That said, Sproles, who added 30 receiving yards, is a much more appealing RB2/3 option in PPR leagues than he is in standard ones.

After receiving 14 carries in Week 1, LeGarrette Blount did not receive any carries on Sunday. But his loss was not Wendell Smallwood’s gain, as Smallwood had just three carries for four yards. Neither will be of any value in fantasy leagues unless the Eagles make a commitment to running the football.

Pittsburgh Steelers last week vs. MIN, this week @CHI

It wasn’t one of his better performances, but Le’Veon Bell reestablished himself as a true bell cow and RB1 on Sunday, piling up 31 touches for 91 yards while backup James Conner received just one carry. Bell’s 3.2 YPC was disappointing, but perhaps the Vikings defense had something to do with that. As long as Bell continues to receive a massive workload, the big games should come sooner rather than later. Conner remains a reasonable handcuff because he clearly sits second on the depth chart.

San Francisco 49ers last week @SEA, this week vs. LAR

Carlos Hyde owners have to be encouraged. After averaging 5.0 YPC in limited opportunities in Week 1, Hyde piled up 15 carries for 124 yards in Week 2, while once again chipping in a bit in the receiving game as well. Health is always a concern for Hyde, and his owners would surely like to see a few more touches, but he’s looking like a rock-solid RB2 with RB1 upside. Backup Matt Breida was also highly productive (four carries for 35 yards), and is a smart stash given Hyde’s injury history.

Seattle Seahawks last week vs. SF, this week @TEN

Hopefully, if you read this column last week, you already own Chris Carson. Last week, Carson jumped ahead of Eddie Lacy and C.J. Prosise for work in the Seahawks backfield. The one remaining question was whether Carson, a dynamic rookie who impressed throughout training camp, would leap Thomas Rawls, who missed Week 1 with an ankle injury.

Given the opportunity to serve as Seattle’s lead back on Sunday, Carson didn’t disappoint, totaling 21 touches for 100 yards. Rawls, meanwhile, had just five touches for four yards. While it’s possible coach Pete Carroll had planned to ease Rawls back in as he returned from injury, Carson’s electric performance is impossible to ignore.

Rawls may see more than five touches in Week 3, but Carson is well positioned to take the starting job and run with it. If Carson keeps producing, there is a good chance he continues to see 15-20 touches per game, which would immediately make him an upside RB2. Rawls is certainly worth holding as well while the situation plays out. Lacy can be dropped in all leagues, as can Prosise, except perhaps in deep PPR leagues.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week vs. CHI, this week @MIN

Jacquizz Rodgers produced a workmanlike performance in the Bucs’ season-opening victory over the Bears on Sunday, carrying the ball 19 times for 67 yards and a touchdown. With the game all but over by halftime, Peyton Barber was given plenty of opportunities down the stretch, but there’s little reason to think he will challenge Rodgers for early-down work. Charles Sims was not much of a factor in the running or passing game and is only worth consideration in PPR leagues.

With Doug Martin due back from suspension in Week 5, Rodgers will have two more weeks as a rock-solid RB2. Fantasy managers who own both players might want to hope that Rodgers continues to score touchdowns with low yards per carry, so that he helps them win now but then cedes the vast majority of the work to Martin.

Tennessee Titans last week @JAC, this week vs. SEA

DeMarco Murray owners who don’t own Derrick Henry are probably sweating right now. While Murray struggled to the tune of 25 yards on nine carries, Henry exploded for 92 yards and a score on 14 carries. We learned after the game that Murray was dealing with hamstring tightness, and is considered day-to-day, but we could be witnessing a changing of the guard in Nashville.

Assuming Murray is able to suit up, we will find out a lot about the Titans backfield in the next couple games. Henry was too impressive to sit, but it remains to be seen whether he will be given the opportunity to take Murray’s job or whether it will simply become more of a committee. Still, Henry has the talent to do significant fantasy damage even if his touches barely reach double figures. For now, both backs can be approached as highly-volatile RB2s whose value could quickly rise or fall.

Washington Redskins last week @LAR, this week vs. OAK

Rob Kelley was on track for his best performance since last November (12 carries for 78 yards) when he departed the game with a rib injury. In Kelley’s absence, rookie Samaje Perine inherited the early-down role but managed just 67 yards on 21 carries. Third-down back Chris Thompson, meanwhile, went off for 106 yards and two touchdowns on just six touches.

While the Redskins initially feared that Kelley would miss significant time with a fractured a rib, the injury turned out to be less severe and he is considered questionable for Week 3. If Kelley proves to be healthy, his impressive Week 2 performance puts him back in the low-end RB2 conversation in non-PPR leagues. Perine wasn’t particularly impressive, but if Kelley misses time, he would likely inherit Kelley’s role and also be worth considering as an RB2 with some degree of upside.

The wildcard is Thompson, who may see a bit more work if Kelley is out, but is not seen by the coaching staff as capable of taking on the bulk of the carries. For now, Thompson is best thought of as one of the more explosive passing-game specialists in the league, with ample value in PPR leagues but still just a boom-or-bust flex option in non-PPR formats.



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Andrew Seifter is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his archive and follow him @andrew_seifter.