NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 2

You all watched Sunday Night Football and saw what Derrick Henry did to the Bills. Sure, not everyone is going to pile up more than 180 yards and multiple touchdowns against Buffalo, but the Bills have struggled against running backs for a while now. Last year, they allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to RBs, including the most receiving yards and second-most receiving touchdowns. Hall has a history of success against Buffalo, too. He got the Bills for 169 total yards in one game last season and has topped 140 yards in half of his career games against them. He's topped double-digit fantasy points in three of four matchups vs. these division rivals, averaging 15.5 fantasy PPG. Plus, Justin Fields clearly is going to help the run game. Start Hall.

Do not panic over Week 1 results. Usage matters much more than production when trying to predict future results. Hampton had mixed results production-wise against the Chiefs, who allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to RBs last season. He did see elite usage, though, playing 81 percent of offensive snaps with all but one RB carry (15 of 16) and two targets in the passing game. Consequently, Hampton was a big winner in Week 1, despite the limited results. Some may be questioning their pick already, but better days are coming. The Chargers could be playing from ahead in a better matchup. Expect the first-round pick to break out sooner than later.

As the conductor of the TreVeyon Henderson hype train, I am here to soothe your concerns. Seeing him log a meager five carries while playing just 34 percent of the snaps was not ideal. He did receive six targets, though, doubling up Rhamondre Stevenson in that area. And while Stevenson had two more carries, Henderson had nearly twice as many rushing yards, averaging a healthy 5.4 yards per tote. He is the superior talent and should earn more and more work. The Dolphins allowed 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns to the Colts last week. The big plays are coming for this electric rookie.

Volume is the name of the game in fantasy football, and Pollard saw plenty of that last week in Denver, playing 89 percent of the snaps and getting 19 touches. He turned those into 89 yards. It was not the biggest of fantasy days, but the usage was absolutely elite. The Rams were middle of the pack against the run last season, making them far more accommodating to RBs than the Broncos' defense, which is one of the very best units in the NFL. Given that Pollard is one of the safest bets to see around 20 touches each week with Tyjae Spears on injured reserve, he remains in play.

I had Etienne as a sit last week because I wanted to see whether one Jaguars back would get the majority of the touches or if it would be an all-out committee. Well, Etienne was the man of the day. He played 62 percent of snaps, with 16 carries and three targets. He picked up 41 percent of the Jags scrimmage yards (156 of 378). Liam Coen had emphasized his big-play ability in the preseason; Etienne backed that up with a 71-yard run. That is how you earn more touches. This week, he faces a Cincinnati defense that can give up a lot of points. In the season opener, the Bengals allowed more than 25 fantasy points to the Browns' backfield, yielding the third-most receptions and receiving yards to RBs on the week. That bodes well for Etienne.

This one hurts, as I am a big Isiah Pacheco believer. Unfortunately, the usage from Week 1 was extremely concerning. Not only did he play just 48 percent of the snaps with only seven touches and 4.8 fantasy points, but the valuable reps went to other RBs. Kareem Hunt was the short-yardage back and often came in on third down. Rookie Brashard Smith took away some passing-down snaps. There will be better days for Pacheco, but this week is tough. The Eagles allowed the second-fewest fantasy PPG and fewest TDs to RBs last season. If you are in a deep league, you likely have to ride it out, but in 10-team leagues and some 12-teamers, you can get away from Pacheco.

This is another big call. In Week 1, Walker was limited to just 40 percent of the snaps, receiving 13 touches. He turned those into 24 yards. Zach Charbonnet played more snaps, had more carries and saw all the goal line work. This kind of usage is a fantasy nightmare. It would turn Walker into a high-variance RB2 or even a flex option who is likely big-play reliant. He faces a tough Steelers defensive line that struggled against the Jets last week but was very stout versus the run last season, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy PPG to RBs. Just like Isiah Pacheco, Walker is not a must-sit, but more dependent on circumstances. In deeper leagues, you will have to start him, but if you are in a 10-team league -- or went with an RB-heavy build -- you could bench Walker this week.

Last week, you caught a glimpse of why so many people -- myself included -- are so excited about this rookie. Despite receiving just seven touches, Harvey led the Broncos in scrimmage yards, thanks to a 50-yard run. So, why is he a sit? Well, in addition to the limited touches, he played just 31 percent of the snaps. Not to mention, all of the red-zone touches went to J.K. Dobbins. The Colts can be run on, so there is a chance Harvey produces another explosive gain like last week, but it is a tough way to live if you don't have to. When it comes to Denver's top two backs, I would play Dobbins until we see Harvey take over more.

There are rumblings that Judkins could make his Browns debut this week after finally signing his contract over the weekend. If he does, I think you avoid this backfield altogether. Having missed most of the summer, the second-round pick will likely be eased in. It is very possible we see the Browns use three backs, with Jerome Ford also in the mix. I like Sampson more if Judkins does not play. The fourth-round rookie struggled on the ground but was highly effective through the air, as Joe Flacco often looked to dump it off. That may be what you have to bank on again this week, as Cleveland will likely be chasing points. If Judkins sits, Sampson would purely be a flex option. If all three Browns RBs play, stay away.

Chubb is the lead back for the Texans, but that does not mean you need to use him in fantasy. Last week, he played 49 percent of the snaps, turning 14 carries into 60 yards (6.0 fantasy points). Chubb did not see much usage in the passing game, as that has never been a strength of his. He is still an effective runner, but he needs to rely on explosive runs and TDs, which could be hard to come by behind this Houston offensive line. Plus, the Bucs allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy PPG to RBs last year and just shut down Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier on the ground in Week 1. Robinson burned Tampa Bay in the passing game, but you can't bank on that kind of production with Chubb.