You survived Week 1. Barely. If you drafted Christian McCaffrey or Breece Hall, you're probably feeling okay, but let's be real—fantasy football is never that simple. One week of data is a dangerous thing. It’s enough to make you panic and bench a star, but not enough to actually prove a trend. Week 2 is where the real season starts because we find out who was a "one-hit wonder" and who’s actually a workhorse.
Ranking running backs for Week 2 isn't just about looking at who scored the most points last Sunday. It’s about volume, snap counts, and—honestly—just how bad the opposing defense looks. RB rankings week 2 are always a mess because of the overreactions. If a guy like Saquon Barkley goes off for three touchdowns, he's the king. If he gets stuffed at the line ten times, people want to trade him for a kicker. We have to look at the "under the hood" stats to see what actually happened.
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The Heavy Hitters: Tier 1 Locks
There are only a few guys you never, ever bench. Even if the matchup is trash. Even if they have a "questionable" tag until Sunday morning.
Saquon Barkley is currently sitting at the top for most experts, and for good reason. His debut with the Eagles was basically a fever dream for fantasy managers. Going up against the Chiefs in Week 2 sounds scary, but Philadelphia’s offensive line is a cheat code. He’s going to get the goal-line work. Period.
Then you have Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers are dealing with a boatload of injuries, which basically means Kyle Shanahan is going to lean on CMC until the wheels fall off. He wasn’t super efficient in the opener, but he touched the ball enough to make it not matter. Against the Saints, he’s a locked-in RB1. You don't overthink this.
- Derrick Henry: He looked like the vintage "King" against Buffalo, racking up 169 yards. The Ravens play the Browns next, and Henry has historically eaten Cleveland alive.
- Bijan Robinson: The Falcons’ offense is finally centered around him. 2,298 scrimmage yards in 2025 doesn't happen by accident. He's the focal point.
- Jahmyr Gibbs: Even with David Montgomery lurking, Gibbs is the explosive play-maker. The Lions' matchup against Chicago is a "revenge game" vibe for the whole backfield.
Why RB Rankings Week 2 Always Get Messy
The middle of the pack is where the drama lives. This is where you find guys like Jonathan Taylor. He had a neck scare in Week 1, but he’s off the injury report now. The Colts blew out their opponent, so they let rookie DJ Giddens get some reps late. Don't let that fool you. Taylor is still the man in Indy. If someone in your league is worried about his "low usage," go trade for him right now.
Then there's the De'Von Achane situation. The Dolphins' offense looked... well, it looked broken. But Achane was the only bright spot. He had a nearly 30% explosive rush rate. In fantasy, we crave that ceiling. Even if Miami's quarterback situation is a mess, Achane is a "start your studs" candidate against New England.
The Rookie Invasion
Is it time to trust the kids? Ashton Jeanty had a rough start efficiency-wise, but he saved his day with a touchdown. He’s playing for the Raiders, who are desperate for an identity. If he’s on your roster, you're probably starting him as an RB2, but keep your expectations in check against a Chargers defense that looked surprisingly stout.
On the flip side, Dylan Sampson is the name everyone is screaming about on the waiver wire. With Quinshon Judkins banged up, Sampson stepped in for Cleveland and looked like a seasoned vet, especially in the passing game. He had 8 catches! In PPR leagues, that’s gold. Even if Judkins returns in a limited capacity, Sampson has earned a "flex" spot in most RB rankings week 2.
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Matchups That Matter (And Ones to Avoid)
The Seattle backfield is a headache. Kenneth Walker III averaged a measly 1.8 yards per touch in the opener. That’s last in the league for players with at least 10 touches. Meanwhile, Zach Charbonnet out-snapped him. If you have Walker, you're probably starting him because you have to, but man, it feels bad. The Steelers defense is not the "get right" game you want to see on the schedule.
- Start: Chase Brown (Bengals). He had 91% of the rush attempts in Week 1. That is insane volume for a guy many thought would be in a committee.
- Sit (if you can): Alvin Kamara. Under Kellen Moore, his target share plummeted to about 4%. If Kamara isn't catching passes, he’s just a guy.
- Sleeper: Bucky Irving. He’s slowly taking over the "reliable" role in Tampa. If Rachaad White keeps struggling with efficiency, Irving’s rank is going to skyrocket by Week 3.
Actionable Strategy for Your Lineup
Stop chasing last week's touchdowns. It’s the most common mistake in fantasy. Look at the snap share. If a guy played 80% of the snaps but didn't score, he’s a prime "buy low" candidate. D’Andre Swift is the poster child for this. He had over 80% of the Bears' snaps but did nothing with them. The volume is there. The production will follow—or at least, that's what the math says.
Check the Saturday injury reports. A "limited" practice on Friday is usually fine, but a "DNP" (Did Not Practice) is a death sentence for your Week 2 hopes. If you’re stuck between two guys, go with the one on the team favored to win. More wins equals more "clock-killing" carries in the 4th quarter.
Your Next Steps:
First, verify your RB's snap count from Week 1 via a reliable usage chart to see if their performance was a fluke or a trend. Second, check the Vegas point totals for your RB's game; a high over/under (like the 49.5 for Bengals-Jaguars) usually signals more scoring opportunities. Finally, move any late-game RBs to your "Flex" spot to give yourself roster flexibility in case of a surprise inactive.