Week 2 Fantasy Football RB Rankings & Tiers: Time for Christian McCaffrey Managers to Panic?

Week 2 is here! Time to overreact to 60 minutes of football!

I'll break down my weekly RB rankings and tiers each and every week *with* some bigger-picture questions sprinkled in along the way. This week's additional topics:

• What running backs had true workhorse roles in Week 1?
• Who has the best and worst on-paper matchups in Week 2?
• What running back could benefit in the passing game from facing zone-heavy defenses?
• What defensive front sevens looked ROUGH in Week 1?
• What running backs did the most cool stuff in Week 1?
• Who are the best under-rostered handcuffs to keep stashed on your bench?

As always: It's a great day to be great.

Tier 1: Elite Real-Life Talents with Very Fantasy-Friendly Workloads

• RB1: Jahmyr Gibbs (at BUF on TNF). Peeled off 33.6 PPR points in Week 1 and didn't even need a token monster big play to do so.
• RB2: Bijan Robinson (vs. CAR). Currently has a 53 percent target share — first in the league, ahead of even Jaxon Smith-Njigba (46%).
• RB3: Christian McCaffrey (vs. MIA). More Kaelon Black than expected wasn't ideal. Still, CMC was dealing with some cramps, and it's tough to complain about 18-plus opportunities per week inside an offense implied to score the most points in Week 2. Reminder: McCaffrey would have been the overall PPR RB14 without a single rush attempt last season! His pass-game floor is too big for him to overly fail in fantasy land.
• RB4: Derrick Henry (vs. NO). Averaging 104.6 rushing yards per game since joining the Ravens — Saquon Barkley (98) and Jonathan Taylor (97) are the only guys within 15 yards.
• RB5: James Cook (vs. DET on TNF). Wheels up in a matchup that produced 90 total points the last time these teams met in 2024. Cook's 50 percent route rate in Week 1 with Ty Johnson sidelined was a decent bump up from what we saw in 2024 (40%) and 2025 (44%).
• RB6: Kenneth Walker (vs. IND on SNF). Ran for 173 yards in the Chiefs' Week 1 beatdown over the Broncos … and for 179 yards *after* contact. His 14 tackles avoided led the league and tied 2025, Week 17 Bijan Robinson for the most since 2025. The most since 2023? Walker himself (Week 12, 2024).
• RB7: Jonathan Taylor (at KC on SNF). Nobody doubts the talent. Concern comes down to the Colts' scoring upside (tied with Falcons for ninth-lowest implied team total in Week 2) and a Steve Spagnuolo-led Chiefs defense that has limited JT to 21-71-0 and 16-58-0 rushing lines in two career matchups.
• RB8: Saquon Barkley (at TEN). Didn't love the Eagles' Week 1 scheme or offensive line (28th in RB rush yards before contact per carry). And yet, Barkley looked good in the time or two we saw him in the open field, and we're talking about a seven-point favorite against the lowly Titans.

Key question: What running backs had true workhorse roles in Week 1?

Here's a full breakdown of every team's Week 1 backfield:

Jonathan Taylor (89% snaps), De'Von Achane (88%), Rhamondre Stevenson (85%) and Bijan Robinson (77%) were the only RBs to play more than 75 percent of their offense's snaps. Of course, guys like Ashton Jeanty (73%), Chase Brown (73%), Javonte Williams (73%), Jahmyr Gibbs (73%) and Saquon Barkley (70%) were also near every-down players.

Throw in Derrick Henry (25 opportunities), David Montgomery (23), Breece Hall (22) and Christian McCaffrey (18), and you have your group of the most well-fed RBs through one week of action.

Tier 2: Top-15 Options with Just a Little Cause for Concern

• RB9: Ashton Jeanty (at LAC). Turned 29 touches into 147 yards and two scores in Week 1, demonstrating that, 1) He's healthy, and 2) Mike Washington isn't a threat. Great news — particularly the pass-down work (6-45-2) that will be needed in future trailing game scripts.
• RB10: Chase Brown (at HOU). The Texans limited James Cook to a not-so-nice 69-scoreless yards on 16 touches in Week 1. Brown easily led the way over Samaje Perine in Week 1 (73% snaps vs. 29%), though Vegas has this group ranked just 19th in implied points due to the tough matchup. 
• RB11: De'Von Achane (at SF). Had about as good of a potential matchup/game-script combo as we could ask for to open the season … and only scored 10.6 PPR points. Good news: Achane isn't leaving the field: Only Rhamondre Stevenson (89% vs. 88%) had a higher snap rate. Bad news: Vegas has this offense tied with the Titans for last in implied points this week.
• RB12: Javonte Williams (vs. WAS). Was mere inches away from having three touchdowns in Week 1. There is zero competition for touches here inside an offense that *should* have little trouble finishing in the NFL's top-10 scoring units by the time the season is all said and done.
• RB13: David Montgomery (vs. CIN). Snaps were surprisingly even between D-Mont and Woody Marks (51% vs. 49%), but the opportunities (23 vs. 10) were not. Montgomery possesses weekly multi-TE upside in an offense that looked capable of being *good* as opposed to *meh* in Week 1.
• RB14: Omarion Hampton (vs. LV). I'm most willing to chalk up the Chargers and Broncos' Week 1 performances as simple bad days at the office. Still, Hampton didn't dominate snaps over Keaton Mitchell (57% vs. 31%) as much as expected, and it was concerning to see zero RB targets from this offense in a trailing game script.
• RB15: D'Andre Swift (vs. MIN). Looked GOOD on his way to scoring a trio of touchdowns in Week 1. The Bears' recently extended No. 1 RB likely will continue to cede plenty of work to Kyle Monangai (56% snaps vs. 44%), but that might not really matter if Ben Johnson's group functions as a top-3 scoring offense. Swift has posted 13-30-0, 19-79-0, 17-53-0 and 21-90-0 rushing performances in four matchups against the Vikings since signing with the Bears in 2024.

Key question: Who has the best and worst on-paper matchups in Week 2?

The below chart denotes every defense's standing in EPA per rush and PPR points per game allowed to RBs since Week 1, 2025:

Wheels up for both Javonte Williams and David Montgomery in particular this week, though the latter back will have to deal with a Bengals defense that now has sexy Dexter Lawrence holding down the fort in the middle of the defense.

Additionally, give Williams a lot of credit for looking very comfortable as a receiver (5-31-1) in Week 1. The Cowboys have lauded their feature back with praise regarding his pass protection ability. It seems unlikely the RB10 in PPR points per game since Week 1 of last season leaves the field much anytime soon.

Tier 3: Clear Lead Backs You Should Absolutely Start

• RB16: Breece Hall (vs. GB). The Jets' offensive line joined the Raiders, Bears, Rams and 49ers as the best overall units in Week 1. Hell yeah! Now we'll find out just how real that performance was against a defense that, you know, isn't the Titans.
• RB17: Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. PIT). Ranked third among all RBs in snaps (85%!) in Week 1. This ranking implies TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) will still be sidelined. Stevenson would slip to the RB2 borderline if Henderson returns ahead of this tough matchup against T.J. Watt and company.
• RB18: Kyren Williams (vs. NYG on MNF). Led the way over Blake Corum in snaps (63% vs. 23%) and targets (3 vs. 0), though the rush attempts (11 vs. 10) were awfully close. Still, Sean McVay usually tips his hat to Kyren at the goal line — something that should produce plenty of consistent scoring opportunities inside a Rams offense that should be much better in future weeks.
• RB19: Bucky Irving (vs. CLE). One of the more promising Week 1 usage reports: Bucky led the way over Kenny Gainwell in snaps (62% vs. 46%), carries (8 vs. 5) and, most surprisingly, targets (7 vs. 1). Sean Tucker was sidelined, but still: Irving looked a lot more like the LEAD back, and not just the 1A option. There was also a lot to like from new-OC Zac Robinson in terms of play-action (2nd) and pre-snap shift/motion (2nd). It might be worth floating out some trade offers for Irving; his utilization profile fits the upside RB2 mold and managers might still consider him more of an RB3.
• RB20: Cam Skattebo (at LAR on MNF). Looked PHYSICAL and essentially fully back to good health during the Giants' upset win over the Cowboys on Sunday night football. The one problem: Pass-game usage. Skattebo was out-targeted 4-to-0 by Devin Singletary despite still being fairly involved in terms of route rate (38% vs. 50%). Ultimately, fantasy managers can do worse than 15-20 carries inside a potentially solid scoring offense; just realize the path to true RB1 fantasy goodness lies in more receiving work.

Key question: What running back could benefit in the pass game from facing zone-heavy defenses?

We've seen running backs REALLY eat into wide receiver target share against zone coverage over the years. This makes sense in real football terms: Linebackers and safeties in man coverage will be in a running back's hip pocket attempting to guard them, but they're coached to gain depth and rally up to the checkdown when in zone coverage.

We can use this to our advantage in the prop markets by looking at the most zone-heavy defenses and the corresponding pass-catching running backs they're up against (2-1 in Week 1). The following situations feature a workhorse RB who is capable in the pass game and going up against one of the 12 defenses to run 80-plus percent zone coverage in Week 1:

• Rhamondre Stevenson vs. PIT (100% zone in Week 1) 
• Bijan Robinson vs. CAR (87%)
• Javonte Williams vs. WSH (85%)
• De'Von Achane vs. SF (83%)
• Breece Hall vs. GB (82%)

We'll see what the betting markets place each player's respective reception over/unders at, but for now I'm particularly keen on Stevenson, Robinson (with Tua or Rush), Hall and Achane. It's also possible Williams finds a way to catch a few passes; just realize the Cowboys could be compelled to keep him in pass pro a bit more than usual against the suddenly blitz-happy Commanders. 

Tier 4: We're Saying there's a chance

• RB21: Jadarian Price (at ARI). Presently in the dreaded "between the 20s" role with George Holani stealing plenty of pass downs, and Emanuel Wilson factoring in for short-yardage situations. That said: Price looked explosive in Week 1 and remains the lead back in an offense that should lean on its ground game more than ever with Sam Darnold (glute) sidelined. Bold call alert: Price rips off a 50-yard touchdown run this week.
• RB22: Jeremiyah Love (vs. SEA). The rookie showed off the elusiveness and explosiveness in Week 1, albeit was soundly out-touched by Tyler Allgeier (19 vs. 14). Still, it was one game, and Love came in questionable with the ankle injury. Expect this committee to shift more and more toward the No. 3 overall pick as the season goes on, though a matchup with the league's reigning third-ranked defense in PPR points per game allowed to RBs might not be the spot to expect fireworks.
• RB23: Chuba Hubbard (at ATL). Worked as the clear lead back over Jonathon Brooks in snaps (69% vs. 19%), carries (10 vs. 4) and targets (3 vs. 2) alike, though that should have been expected in Week 1 with Brooks (soreness) a bit banged up. It will be VERY interesting to see if Chuba holds onto this lead, or if the third-year talent slowly turns this into more of a 50/50 situation. For now, I'm treating Hubbard as a borderline RB2, but this matchup is very winnable against a Falcons front seven that is all kinds of banged up/suspended.
• RB24: Travis Etienne Jr. (at BAL). If Bucky Irving had the most promising Week 1 usage, Travis Etienne might have had the least. The ex-Jaguar had the same number of carries (9) as backup Kendre Miller, and ETN's nine targets don't seem overly sustainable considering, 1) Alvin Kamara (knee) should be back this week, and 2) Tyler Shough threw the ball 56 times during the Saints' overtime thriller against the Lions.
• RB25: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (at DAL). Racked up 17 opportunities compared to just nine for Rachaad White in Week 1. The artist known as Bill turned 11 carries into 105 yards and a pair of scores the last time he met this Cowboys defense in Week 17.
• RB26: Bhayshul Tuten (at DEN). Give Tuten credit for making the most out of his opportunities in Week 1: He had 66 rushing yards … and 67 rushing yards after contact! His seven tackles avoided were tied for the fourth-highest mark among any RB! Still, Chris Rodriguez looks like the preferred short-yardage option, and it was surprising to see both post the same 32 percent route rate. Kenneth Walker ran all over the Broncos in Week 1; just realize this was the league's second-best defense in EPA allowed per rush in 2025.
• RB27: Jaylen Warren (at NE). Got the start and had 16 opportunities compared to 13 for Rico Dowdle, though the latter led the way in snaps (58% vs. 36%). Warren can't be losing more fumbles (ball security, job security!), but for now he does appear to be the preferred option here.
• RB28: Quinshon Judkins (at TB). Clear lead back … in maybe the worst offense in the NFL. Maybe Judkins gets more involved as a receiver with Dylan Sampson (knee, IR) done for the season, though Raheim "Rocket" Sanders tied Quinshon in route rate (42%) in Week 1. I don't like Judkins' chances at making a lot happen on the ground against Vita Vea and company (1st in EPA allowed per rush in 2024). Only the Titans and Dolphins have lower implied team totals than the Browns in Week 2.
• RB29: J.K. Dobbins (vs. JAX). The good news: Dobbins continued to lead this backfield in carries (8 vs. 3), and rookie Jonah Coleman (6% snap rate, 0 touches) was non-existent. Bad news: RJ Harvey is the clear pass-down back, and this heralded offensive line was largely rendered irrelevant by Chris Jones and company. I continue to wonder if the most likely answer to which Broncos RB we should expect fireworks from to be: No.
• RB30: Jordan Mason (at CHI). Mason led the way in snaps (48% vs. 43%) and rush attempts (15 vs. 12) in Week 1, though it was A-aron who secured the only backfield target. The answer to which Vikings RB to start might just be "yes" if this Bears defense winds up being as bad as they looked in Week 1. Both would receive decent bumps in the projected rushing efficiency department if Kyler Murray (concussion) manages to return to action.
• RB31: Aaron Jones Sr. (at CHI).

Key question: What defensive front sevens looked ROUGH in Week 1?

Five front sevens really stood out as soft against the pass and run alike in their season opener.

The Dolphins, Titans, Rams, 49ers and Panthers. C'mon fam! 

The Bears, Saints, Jets and Ravens also don't look like defenses that deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to stopping the run. The presence of the former squad makes both Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones intriguing FLEX plays this week, especially with the Vikings probably embracing a run-first mindset with backup QB Carson Wentz under center.  Only the Jets and Commanders (8) have allowed more opponents to gain 150-plus rushing yards than Da Bears (7) since the beginning of last season.

Meanwhile, the Broncos, Cardinals (!), Packers, Chargers, Seahawks and Commanders did a pretty nicey job of controlling the line of scrimmage in Week 1.

Tier 5: Your Opponent isn't Scared

• RB32: MarShawn Lloyd (at NYJ). Led the way in opportunities (14 vs. 8) over Chris Brooks despite losing out in snaps (45% vs. 55%). Don't be surprised if Lloyd widens the advantage with a full regular-season game now under his belt: He's set up well against a Jets defense that ranked 31st in PPR points per game allowed to RBs all the way back in 2025.
• RB33: Kaelon Black (vs. MIA). Looked explosive in Week 1 on his way to shockingly out-carrying CMC (14 vs. 10)! That probably (?) won't persist every week (McCaffrey was dealing with cramps), but hey, double-digit touches certainly look to be on the table in a dream home matchup against the lowly Dolphins. The 49ers are 13.5-point favorites and figure to run the ball a LOT while soaking this one away.
• RB34: Rico Dowdle (at NE). Aforementioned season-opening usage went Warren's way. Neither Steelers RB is too appetizing of a play at the moment — especially with Aaron Rodgers rediscovering his love for throwing the deep ball in Week 1 — but make sure to keep Dowdle safe and sound on the bench, as he continues to possess sky-high handcuff upside either way.
• RB35: RJ Harvey (vs. JAX). Wound up out-snapping Dobbins (53% vs. 40%) due to game script, but continued to be an afterthought in the run game. The good news: Jonah Coleman was a complete zero … but how long will that persist?
• RB36: Blake Corum (vs. NYG on MNF). Looks poised to see something close to even usage with Kyren Williams in pure rush attempts, but it's the Kyren show on pass downs, and Corum also lost out on the short-down-and-distance snaps in Week 1. There should be enough production for both to eat *if* the Rams look more like the offense everyone assumed they would be ahead of their home matchup against the Giants (7.5-point favorites).
• RB37: Kyle Monangai (vs. MIN). Turned 12 touches into 124 yards and a score in Week 1. That'll work! Monangai deserves credit for running HARD: He was one of nine RBs with three-plus yards after contact on at least 50 percent of their carries in Week 1 (min. 10 carries). Of course, additional volume, or high-end efficiency, might not be quite as easy to come by in Week 2's much stiffer test against the Vikings.
• RB38: Jonathon Brooks (at ATL). Worked well behind Chuba Hubbard in Week 1, but did make this fun off-script reception for a 48-yard chunk. Brooks isn't someone you want to start right now, but don't be surprised if he steadily eats into Chuba's snaps and touches.

Key question: What running backs did the most cool stuff in Week 1?

"Cool shit" is an RB's total touchdowns, explosive plays and tackles avoided divided by their carries and targets. Things that are objectively cool, but maybe don't always show up in the box score. Cool? Cool.

The leaderboard through one week of action (min. 10 touches):

• Chiefs RB Emmett Johnson (90%)
• Chiefs RB Kenneth Walker (77%)
• Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard (77%)
• Texans RB Woody Marks (70%)
• Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten (69%)
• Chargers RB Omarion Hampton (67%)
• Steelers RB Jaylen Warren (53%)
• Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (53%)
• Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (53%)
• Bears RB D'Andre Swift (53%)

And in dead last: Steelers RB Rico Dowdle (10%).

Tier 6: Handcuffs and/or Bad Flex Plays

• RB39: Keaton Mitchell (vs. LV). Didn't get anything going (nine scoreless yards) on his four touches in Week 1, but it was at least good to see Mitchell so cleanly ahead of Kimani Vidal (31% vs. 8% snaps).
• RB40: Tony Pollard (vs. PHI). I wanted to see how insultingly low I could rank Tony Pollard while putting together my initial ranks Monday night. This feels right: He's the 1A back in the league's worst offense now forced to go up against one of the feistiest defensive lines in football. Fantasy football is supposed to be fun — do you really want to start a Titan in your lineup if you can help it?
• RB41: Chris Rodriguez Jr. (at DEN). While the snaps (48% vs. 41%) and even routes (32% vs. 32%) were pretty even between Tuten and C-Rod, the ex-Commander only saw six total rush attempts in a game that featured HEAVY positive game script for the Jaguars throughout.
• RB42: Kenny Gainwell (vs. CLE). Was more of a clear backup than 1B option in terms of opportunities (15 vs. 6) behind Bucky Irving. Gainwell is more of a pure handcuff than flex play for the time being.
• RB43: Woody Marks (vs. CIN). Split snaps with David Montgomery (51% vs. 49%), but not touches (23 vs. 10). Like with Gainwell, Marks is more of a pure handcuff than someone to actively go out of your way to start.
• RB44: Rachaad White (at DAL). Rinse, repeat the sentiment from Gainwell and Marks.
• RB45: Tyler Allgeier (vs. SEA). Seems like a matter of when, not if, Jeremiyah Love relegates Allgeier to a true backup role. Don't expect him to make the most out of whatever opportunities he's afforded against the Seahawks' loaded defense.
• RB46: Tyjae Spears (vs. PHI). Good news: Spears played the same number of snaps as Tony Pollard in Week 1. Bad news: This looks a lot like the worst offense in all of football.
• RB47: Emmett Johnson (vs. IND on SNF). Emerged as the clear No. 2 RB behind Kenneth Walker … though I continue to worry about free-agent Kareem Hunt factoring into that conversation if anything were to happen to KW3. Either way: Credit to the rookie for looking GOOD with his touches — Johnson led all RBs in missed tackles forced per touch (60%!) in Week 1 (min. 10 touches). His teammate Kenneth Walker ranked second, of course. 
• RB48: Tank Bigsby (at TEN). I squeezed Tank into the top 48 under the idea that he flirts with double-digit touches in garbage time against the lowly Titans. Also so we could highlight him in our next bigger-picture question …

Key question: Who are the best under-rostered handcuffs to keep stashed on your bench?

The following RBs are rostered in under 35 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues as of Tuesday afternoon:

• Eagles RB Tank Bigsby (34% Yahoo, 18.7% ESPN)
• 49ers RB Kaelon Black (27% Yahoo, 15.5% ESPN)
• Falcons RB Brian Robinson (25% Yahoo, 25.7% ESPN)
• Chiefs RB Emmett Johnson (20% Yahoo, 6.6% ESPN)
• Bills RB Ray Davis (16% Yahoo, 9.6% ESPN)
• Jets RB Braelon Allen (15% Yahoo, 12.4% ESPN)
• Bengals RB Samaje Perine (4% Yahoo, 11.9% ESPN)
• Colts RB Seth McGowan (1% Yahoo, 0.9% ESPN)