Rookie running backs made the NFL look easy in week 1.
Kareem Hunt started the rookie train on Thursday, with Dalvin Cook adding an exclamation point on Monday Night Football. In-between, Leonard Fournette and Tarik Cohen were top-five fantasy options. Will that production continue? It’s not out of the question to see most of these rookies at the top of the fantasy production chart on a weekly basis.
With week 1 down, here’s the fantasy football week 2 start ’em, sit ’em guide for running backs.
Start
Lamar Miller vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Houston Texans won’t be that bad again. And despite being so bad in week 1, Miller wasn’t horrible.
He still racked up the volume, much like last year, rushing the ball 17 times and catching both targets, totaling 96 yards, But with the stigma against the Texans offense, some may consider sitting Miller. He’s not a goal line option, despite all the volume, but he’s still going to be a solid RB2/low-end RB1 option for fantasy teams.
The matchup also works well for him, too. The Bengals were terrible in week 1 against the run, stifling the Ravens passing game, but consistently allowing Baltimore to move the ball with the run. Look for the Texans to attempt to establish the run, giving Miller the volume necessary to be in the discussion as a top-12 running back. If he can sneak in a touchdown or two, then his value could teeter toward the top-five level.
Ty Montgomery vs. Atlanta Falcons
Montgomery did what I believed he would do before the season began.
He was a three-down option for a Packers team destined to move the ball up and down the field. He caught the ball out of the backfield, but also was able to run between the tackles. He was a steal in most fantasy football drafts based on his usage as a three-down back.
That will prove fruitful against the Falcons, which couldn’t do much against Chicago Bears rookie Tarik Cohen. Cohen was a machine out of the backfield catching the ball. Montgomery, a converted wide receiver, will likely be used in the same role. Unlike Cohen, though, Montgomery will see work on the first two downs of the series, too.
The Falcons were vulnerable against the run and the pass out of the backfield against the Bears. The Packers will keep up that strategy, giving Montgomery enough volume to be considered a RB1 potential player in week 2.
Terrance West vs. Cleveland Browns
I’m not drinking the Cleveland Brown rush defense Kool-Aid. The Browns enter week 2 with the top rush defense in the NFL. That won’t last.
They’ve been consistently one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL during the last few years for a reason. For some reason, Pittsburgh didn’t take advantage of that weakness in week 1, but I anticipate the Ravens to pound the ball continually.
Without Danny Woodhead in the lineup, West should see even more of a role in the offense. West carried the bulk of the load in week 1, carrying the ball 19 times and rushing for 80 yards and one touchdown. He’s not going to contribute in the passing game, but that shouldn’t matter against the Browns. Baltimore’s defense is so good, the offense just needs to milk the clock for the majority of the game. That plays directly in West’s hands.
He’s not a consistent option each week, but this matchup is too enticing to pass up.
Sit
Frank Gore vs. Arizona Cardinals
If you’re evaluating that pick to put Gore on your roster, then you’re likely disappointed. The Colts were horrendous in week 1, forcing Gore to the bench to make sure he didn’t get injured.
That opened the door for Marlon Mack to make a case for more playing time, meaning Gore could be in serious trouble of having to split some time. And even if he’s not completely splitting time, he’s still not a viable option against an Arizona team that, for the most part, shut down Detroit’s running game.
With Andrew Luck on the sideline, the Colts are almost at a standstill in terms of fantasy impact. The receivers don’t get enough balls to catch, while the running backs have to play mostly pass-catcher since the Colts will be behind. Until Luck comes back, I would halt the use of any Indianapolis players.
Joe Mixon vs. Houston Texans
Remember when people believed Mixon would have the most fantasy impact among the rookie running backs? That seems like a faraway fortune at this point.
It’s going to take time for Mixon to make a mark. That’s why his average draft position was a little absurd since there were already two running backs that get volume for the Bengals. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard are still going to command attention in the Bengals offense.
That squeezes Mixon out, which was evident in week 1. He had nine yards rushing on eight carries and 15 yards receiving. That volume isn’t enough to make me want to start him against another quality defense. Mixon’s on an offense that isn’t good anymore, so that should affect his value throughout the year. Eventually, he’ll be the lead back, but even when that happens, I’m not sure if this offensive line can make enough holes for Mixon to run through.
Jonathan Stewart vs. Buffalo Bills
Stewart did a nice job of remaining relevant in week 1, showing that he shouldn’t be completely discounted this season. He registered 20 touches, going for 82 yards and a receiving touchdown. He out-touched Christian McCaffrey in week 1 by two touches.
But splitting time with McCaffrey isn’t going to help him this week. The Bills will set up to stop the run, forcing quarterback Cam Newton to beat them. In week 1, the 49ers couldn’t do that based on having a terrible rush defense. The Bills should be better equipped to stop the run, making Newton break out of his rust and be more accurate with throwing the football.
That will stymie Stewart’s ability to total fantasy points in week 2. The Bills did a nice job against the run in week 1 against the Jets, and also stopped their running backs from being productive in the passing game. And while it may just be the Jets, that is noteworthy, since both Jets’ running backs, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, have shown the ability to catch the football out of the backfield with success in the past.
I trust the Bills defense to take the rushing game out of the equation for the Panthers, meaning Stewart will be limited in volume and production.
