The fantasy football Week 2 running back rankings are here after, by and large, the position got off to a rough start in Week 1. While some players dominated, most big-name backs struggled to do much of anything in the season opener. Is it time to panic, or can these players work things out as the season progresses?
Note: The fantasy football Week 2 running back rankings are for PPR scoring
Fantasy Football Week 2 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1: Elite RB1
1. Derrick Henry
2. Christian McCaffrey
3. Bijan Robinson
4. Saquon Barkley
Derrick Henry continues to prove that age is just a number, as the game’s best downhill runner now faces a bad Cleveland Browns team in what should be a one-sided affair. Expect another 100-yard game with at least one touchdown. Christian McCaffrey is elite whenever he’s healthy, and he’ll receive even more targets with George Kittle sidelined.
Bijan Robinson wasn’t the most efficient runner in Week 1, but he had an 83% snap share, turned a screen pass into a massive touchdown, and has the talent to do that every single week. Saquon Barkley wraps up the top tier of the fantasy football Week 2 running back rankings, as he should play a featured role as the Eagles attempt to take down the reigning AFC champions.
Tier 2: Plug And Play
5. Josh Jacobs
6. Chase Brown
7. Jahmyr Gibbs
8. Bucky Irving
9. Jonathan Taylor
10. Ashton Jeanty
11. Kyren Williams
12. James Cook
RB18 isn’t what you wanted from Josh Jacobs in Week 1, but 20 total touches is a good thing. If he keeps receiving that volume, the results will follow. Ditto for Chase Brown, as his 2.05 yards per carry was horrible, but his 21 attempts make him a projected RB1 in the fantasy football Week 2 running back rankings.
Jahmyr Gibbs is a fantastic talent, but the Lions might need time to learn to live without Ben Johnson. Bucky Irving received an increased snap share and should be a locked-in RB1 for the season. Jonathan Taylor didn’t get a touchdown last week, but he should have plenty of scoring opportunities with Daniel Jones bringing life to the passing attack.
Ashton Jeanty had elite usage in Week 1, so hopefully he can find more success in Week 2. Kyren Williams and James Cook, meanwhile, justified their respective extensions and remain low-end RB1s.
Tier 3: Dependable Starter
13. Breece Hall
14. Travis Etienne
15. Omarion Hampton
16. De’Von Achane
17. James Conner
18. Chuba Hubbard
19. Javonte Williams
20. TreVeyon Henderson
21. Tony Pollard
22. Alvin Kamara
23. D’Andre Swift
24. Zach Charbonnet
Breece Hall was fantastic last week, but his 58% snap share keeps him out of the RB1 range for the time being. Travis Etienne found similar success and should lock down the lead role with Tank Bigsby in Philadelphia. Omarion Hampton received almost all of the running back touches in Week 1 but didn’t do much with the opportunity. Don’t be surprised if Najee Harris starts to eat into his workload in Week 2.
So much for that rebuilt Panthers offense. Chuba Hubbard is a solid back, but this offense won’t give him enough scoring opportunities for a higher spot in the Week 2 running back rankings. Javonte Williams finished as the RB5 with a 77% snap share in Week 1. If he does it again in Week 2, he’ll skyrocket up these rankings.
Tony Pollard has complete control of Tennessee’s backfield; the only problem is that the offense is abysmal. Ditto for Alvin Kamara. Placing Zach Charbonnet ahead of Kenneth Walker is admittedly risky, but Charbonnet looked better in Week 1 and saw more snaps.
Tier 4: Gotta Play Someone
25. J.K. Dobbins
26. Jacory Croskey-Merritt
27. Jaylen Warren
28. Jordan Mason
29. Aaron Jones
30. Nick Chubb
31. Kenneth Walker
32. Tyrone Tracy
33. RJ Harvey
34. David Montgomery
35. Austin Ekeler
36. Trey Benson
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the hardest player to place in these fantasy football Week 2 running back rankings. On the one hand, he finished as the RB17 on just 33% of the snaps. That volume can’t sustain a high finish, but will Washington give him a larger workload following his promising debut?
Jaylen Warren is the clear frontrunner in the Steelers backfield, and while he lacks the upside to be a high-end starter, he’s a fine flex play. Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones are splitting work fairly evenly, and you can put either one in your lineup in a pinch. Nick Chubb seems to be the running back to play in Houston, but you’re probably better off avoiding the backfield.
Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre – Imagn Images
