Honestly, Week 1 is a liar. It’s that friend who tells you they’re "five minutes away" when they haven’t even left the shower. If you’re looking at your roster right now and feeling like you need to trade your first-round pick for a kicker and a bag of chips, just breathe. Everyone saw Saquon Barkley explode for the Eagles against the Chiefs, and yeah, he looked like the best player on the planet. But then you look at someone like Bijan Robinson, who basically got swallowed whole by a Minnesota Vikings front that looked like a brick wall.
Does that mean Bijan is a bust? No way. It just means the running back rankings week 2 need a massive reality check. We have to separate the flukes from the real structural shifts in how these teams are moving the rock.
The Elite Tier: Volume is Still King
You can't overthink the guys at the top. Even if the yardage wasn't "viral video" worthy in the opener, the sheer number of times these guys touch the ball is what wins championships. Christian McCaffrey is the obvious example here. With Brock Purdy dealing with a toe injury and Mac Jones potentially stepping in for the 49ers, the offense is going to become "The CMC Show" more than ever. If he’s on the field, he’s the RB1. Period.
🔗 Read more: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Derrick Henry is another one. He absolutely gashed the Bills for 169 yards and two scores. People thought he might slow down in Baltimore, but playing next to Lamar Jackson is like playing Madden on rookie mode for a guy like Henry. The Browns' defense is tough, but Baltimore is a heavy favorite at home. When the Ravens win, Henry usually has a monster day. In 12 wins last year, he averaged over 130 yards. That's a trend you bet on.
Then there's Breece Hall. He had 19 carries for 107 yards against a Steelers defense that makes life miserable for everyone. The Bills are up next, and that game could turn into a track meet. Even if the Jets fall behind, Hall’s target share is so high that he’s basically a wide receiver who happens to line up in the backfield.
💡 You might also like: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
Running Back Rankings Week 2: The Shakeups
This is where things get weird. We saw some backfields in Week 1 that looked nothing like we expected. If you're looking at running back rankings week 2, you have to account for these "Changing of the Guard" moments.
- Jahmyr Gibbs vs. David Montgomery: The Lions' offense looked out of sync without Ben Johnson calling the plays. Gibbs only had 9 carries for 19 yards. Gross, right? But he also had 10 targets. That’s the silver lining. Against Chicago this week, Gibbs has historically been a nightmare for the Bears. I’m ranking him as a top-5 play because the volume in the passing game provides such a safe floor.
- The Chase Brown Takeover: In Cincinnati, Chase Brown had a 91% carry share. That is insane. We expected a committee with Samaje Perine, but Brown was the clear alpha. He’s taking on a Jaguars defense that allowed a ton of points to RBs last year. He's a locked-in RB1 for me this week.
- Jordan Mason's Rise: With Aaron Jones being more of a "big play" threat but losing the snap battle, Jordan Mason has emerged as the volume king for the Vikings. He looked more effective as a pure rusher in the opener. Unless Jones starts catching five passes a game, Mason is the guy you want in your lineup for Week 2.
Rookies and Waiver Wire Heroes
Every year, a rookie pops in Week 1 and everyone spends 100% of their FAAB on them. Sometimes it's a trap. Sometimes it's Bucky Irving. The Buccaneers seem to trust Irving more than Rachaad White in high-leverage spots already. Irving is projected for a significant role against Houston.
📖 Related: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
And we have to talk about Jacory Croskey-Merritt. With Austin Ekeler likely out with a torn Achilles (devastating for Washington), "JCM" is the last man standing in that backfield. He looked explosive in his limited touches, and while the Commanders' offense is a work in progress, a starting RB is a starting RB. He’s a high-end RB2/Flex play this week simply because of the opportunity.
The "Don't Panic" List
- Bijan Robinson: The Vikings' run defense was ranked 1st in EPA per carry last year. They are legit. Don't bench Bijan against Minnesota just because he had a slow start. The talent is too high.
- Jonathan Taylor: He left the game early in a blowout, but before that, he played 100% of the first 43 snaps. That is elite usage. The Broncos' defense is a "get right" game for Taylor.
- Travis Etienne: He finally separated himself from Tank Bigsby. With 143 yards in the opener, he's back to being a top-tier fantasy asset.
How to Adjust Your Strategy
If you're sitting at 0-1, don't blow up your team. The biggest mistake managers make in Week 2 is over-correcting for a one-game sample size. Look at the "Expected Points." If a guy had 20 touches but only 40 yards, he was unlucky, not bad. If a guy had 3 touches and 2 touchdowns, he was lucky, not elite.
Focus on the teams that are projected to score a lot of points. The Ravens, Lions, and Bengals are all in high-total games. That means more trips to the red zone and more chances for your RBs to fall into the end zone.
Next Steps for Week 2:
Check the final injury reports on Friday afternoon. Pay close attention to the offensive line injuries in Carolina and Green Bay; if the guys up front are out, even an elite runner will struggle to find lanes. If you have a bench spot, stash someone like Trey Benson. He’s already eating into James Conner’s snaps, and if an injury happens, he becomes a top-12 back instantly. Grab the volume now before the price goes up.