You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Ja'Marr Chase. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
No one has hyped up Henderson more this summer than I have. I know it became the trendy thing to do in August, but I have been here since March; I was calling him an RB1 when you were able to draft him in Round 8. There is no possible way I am not starting him Week 1 in every league in which I have him (which is a ton!). You drafted Henderson early, you expected big things, so why sit him? I get some will have usage concerns, but Henderson is a home run hitter, so he can put up a ton of yards on limited touches. He is also a fantastic receiver out of the backfield. The 2024 Raiders were middle of the pack in fantasy PPG, rushing and receiving yards allowed to backs. Still, this should be a game with a favorable script. The leader of the Henderson hype train says START HIM!
Last year, I pounded the table for Pacheco as a top-five fantasy RB. Kansas City's top back only played two games before suffering a fractured fibula, but he was on pace for 1,600 scrimmage yards, 60 catches and nine total touchdowns. He never looked the same after returning from the injury. However, in this year's preseason, he looked like himself again. Consequently, I've been pounding the table for Pacheco once again, but he's being drafted much later in 2025. I believe he will see the bulk of ground work and a good bit of action through the air. Being a three-down back in an Andy Reid/Patrick Mahomes offense brings a ton of fantasy upside. The Chargers are not a slam-dunk matchup, but the combination of talent, touches and the offense Pacheco is tied to is enough for me to trust him in Week 1.
Swift has averaged 1,304 scrimmage yards in his last two seasons. Now he's back with Ben Johnson, who's typically been amazing for running backs. In Johnson's three years as Detroit's offensive coordinator, the Lions finished top two every year in RB goal-line carries. Plus, Swift personally had a 70-target season under Johnson in 2022. The Vikings were not the best matchup for RBs last year. Early in the fantasy season, though, volume is what you should be looking for, especially from your backs. Swift will have plenty of that, in a very fantasy-friendly system. If you drafted him, you likely took him as your RB2. Do not shy away just because he does not have the best matchup.
Pollard's underrated for a back who went for 1,300 total yards last season. He did so while splitting time with Tyjae Spears, who is on injured reserve to start this season. Last year, Pollard averaged 20 touches per game when he played at least 60 percent of the snaps. He also can be featured in the passing attack, something I'd expect the Titans to look to exploit in Week 1. The Broncos were very stingy to RBs on the ground last year, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards. However, they did give up the ninth-most receiving yards to backs. Given the volume Pollard should see and the fact he could quickly rack up PPR points, I would ride the versatile back despite the matchup.
I like all the backs in this one! Harvey will be making his NFL debut, but if the preseason is any indication, we should expect to see him play the early-down role for the Broncos. Sean Payton's RB1 has averaged 86 targets per season since 2017. Harvey should be heavily utilized in the passing game. The Titans allowed the seventh-most rushing touchdowns and most receiving scores to running backs last year. Given the system he plays in, the fact that the Broncos could be playing from ahead and the matchup in general, Harvey should be trusted right off the bat. J.K. Dobbins is also in play as a flex option. He is expected to handle third-down duties, which is a very valuable role in this offense.
Sit 'Em
No one has climbed further in drafts in the last couple of weeks than Jacory Croskey-Merritt, also known simply as "Bill." With Brian Robinson Jr. now in San Francisco, the belief is that Bill will be the starting back for the Commanders. The only problem is the presence of Austin Ekeler, who will handle the passing downs and perhaps a larger role than that. Also, Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been mentioned as a potential short-yardage runner. And then there is Jayden Daniels, who had the second-most rushing yards and goal-line carries among QBs in 2024, as well as Deebo Samuel Sr., who could take some carries. I need to see JCM's role before I fully trust him. Plus, the Giants boast one of the best defensive lines in the league. Take a wait-and-see approach on this backfield.
With Joe Mixon sidelined to start the year, Chubb will be the starter. He will get an opportunity, but I am not sure what kind of production that will lead to. Chubb returned last year from a nasty left knee injury -- the same knee that he tore up in college, unfortunately. He did not look like himself at all, averaging just 3.4 yards per touch. (His previous low was 5.3.) He also had the lowest rate of explosive runs among all running backs with 100 carries (five percent). He now is 29 years old and coming off another injury, as he broke his foot last season. I need to see Chubb look like his old self for more than a couple preseason carries before I can begin to trust him again.
The Panthers have been a great matchup for running backs over the last couple of years. That may not change, but it is not enough for me to plug in either Etienne or Bigsby this year. We are not sure how the work will be distributed in Jacksonville's backfield. The expectation is Bigsby will handle early downs, while Etienne gets passing ones and some carries. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten ran with the 1s at times in preseason and could get mixed in, as well. The split roles often led to disappointing fantasy days for at least one of the Jags backs last year. Both come with a low floor and capped upside, even in a more fantasy-friendly system under Liam Coen. There is potential here if one back could take over, but until we see that, it is fine to leave both on the bench.
I am a big Cam Skattebo fan and am on record thinking he takes over as the lead RB for the Giants as the season progresses. The issue is that the rookie missed much of camp due to injury. Consequently, he could not fully compete against Tyrone Tracy Jr., so expect the incumbent starter to see the majority of opportunities early on. There is also a chance that veteran Devin Singletary could steal some touches away. The best course of action is to take a wait-and-see approach with Skattebo.
Williams will be Dallas' starting running back to open the season. That doesn't mean you should start him, especially not against the reigning Super Bowl champions. Last year, the Eagles allowed the second-fewest fantasy PPG to opposing backs. They yielded just five touchdowns to the position. Williams has struggled as a runner since his knee injury in 2022, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry over the past two seasons. In 2024, he had the eighth-lowest explosive run rate amongst RBs with at least 130 carries. He also averaged the fourth-lowest yards per target amongst backs. Due to past performance and this extremely tough matchup, you should get away from Williams in the season opener.
