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Week 3 Fantasy Football RB Rankings: Must-Start Running Backs, Flex Plays & Deep Sleepers (Ep. 2212)

STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this podcast and kept the full transcript here for context.

52 min
Duration
Estimated from transcript
Sep 23, 2026
Published
Wed, September 23, 2026
38
Player insights
25
Players mentioned
Topics
Aaron JonesDe'Von AchaneJavonte WilliamsAnthony HankersonJonah ColemanMarShawn LloydRhamondre StevensonAshton JeantyBreece HallBucky IrvingChase BrownChristian McCaffreyChuba HubbardD'Andre Swift
Player analysis

Player insights

38

Aaron Jones

NegativeProjection13:34

Aaron Jones ranks twenty-second in Week 3 RB rankings.

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NegativeMatchup16:24

Aaron Jones faces a much tougher matchup this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a defense that sells out to stop the run under Todd Bowles' defensive play-calling. This is not as easy a layup as the Chicago Bears matchup from Week 2, making the volume advantage less valuable.

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NegativeInjury24:27

Aaron Jones got nicked up in last week's game and is expected to appear on the Minnesota Vikings injury report this week. As an older player, Jones is prone to getting banged up, which can knock him out of games—a concern to monitor heading into Week 3.

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PositiveUsage24:48

If healthy, Aaron Jones is expected to see bell-cow level usage. In Week 2 against Chicago, he recorded 23 carries for 105 yards—the most carries he's ever had for the Minnesota Vikings—demonstrating the team's trust in him over DJ Dallas and Daman Claiborne to carry the workload in a ball-control game.

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PositiveMatchup25:22

Despite a tougher matchup against the Buccaneers (a defense that sells out to stop the run under Todd Bowles), the source identifies a favorable schematic angle: Jones ran man concepts last week at 5.1 yards per carry versus 3.3 yards per carry in 2026, and the Buccaneers have been second-worst against man concepts since last year at 5.7 yards per carry (behind only the Giants). The source fades the Buccaneers overall as a team that is unraveling, making them a target.

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PositiveUsage26:30

With Jordan Mason on IR, Aaron Jones will have a substantial workload and likely increased work in the passing game this week. The source notes that Jones has always been a good pass catcher, and while the passing game was limited last week due to wet conditions in Chicago, he should augment his rushing numbers with catches this week.

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Anthony Hankerson

PositiveRole38:43

Henderson should be ranked higher than Stevenson this week because he is the back capable of hitting explosive plays in a relatively bad matchup against Jacksonville; he is expected to see a 60-40 workload advantage and should benefit if Stevenson fumbles again, though the Patriots' offensive line injuries and road status create overall flex-level upside.

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NegativeUsage40:00

Henderson did not receive any receiving work in Week 2 despite it being part of his skill set, which is a concerning trend given the Patriots' need for pass-catching backs in certain game scripts.

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Ashton Jeanty

NegativeProjection6:05

Ashton Jeanty ranks seventh in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Breece Hall

NegativeProjection6:05

Breece Hall ranks eleventh in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Bucky Irving

NegativeProjection13:34

Bucky Irving ranks eighteenth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Chase Brown

NegativeProjection6:05

Chase Brown ranks ninth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Christian McCaffrey

NegativeProjection6:05

Christian McCaffrey ranks fourth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Chuba Hubbard

PositiveRole0:51

With Jonathan Brooks out, Chuba Hubbard is now the clear lead back for the Panthers with no significant competition for carries. The source ranks him as a top-20 RB rest of season, noting the team trusts him and he has had heavy workloads in 2024-2025 before injuries. He is described as the best pick that could have been made at running back late in drafts due to the Jonathan Brooks hype.

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D'Andre Swift

NegativeProjection13:34

DeAndre Swift ranks sixteenth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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David Montgomery

NegativeProjection13:34

David Montgomery ranks seventeenth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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De'Von Achane

NegativeProjection13:34

Devon Achane ranks fifteenth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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NegativeProjection27:27

The source identifies concerning efficiency metrics for De'Von Achane: among 14 backs with 25+ carries, Achane has the second-worst stuff rate and the worst success rate. He also has the second-worst missed tackles rate in that group. The source notes that defenses are not threatened by the Dolphins receivers and load the box to stop the run, creating negative plays. While Achane is too good a player to never have explosive runs, the data suggests he hasn't yet made defenders miss at the second level when opportunities arise.

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NegativeMatchup28:20

The source suggests that Achane's first home game could be a potential breakout spot, noting that while he hasn't yet had explosive runs and defenses load the box against Miami's weak receiving corps, he is too talented to avoid big runs all season. The source implies that a home-game environment and continued volume could eventually unlock explosive plays.

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James Cook

NegativeMatchup6:05

James Cook ranks eighth in Week 3 RB rankings but faces a less-than-stellar matchup. The source expresses concern about Cook's matchup this week.

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Javonte Williams

NegativeMatchup13:34

Javante Williams moved down from ECR 11 to 13 in Week 3 rankings due to a tougher matchup against the Baltimore Ravens defense. The source notes the Cowboys have faced only the Giants and Commanders so far, and while Williams had a three-touchdown game in Week 1, he averaged only 3.0 yards per carry (71 yards on 24 carries) in Week 2. Since losing starting offensive guard Tyler Smith, the Cowboys have struggled to generate consistent blocking for Williams. The Ravens defense has been solid against running backs, allowing only 2.4 yards per carry to the Saints in Week 2. The game is being played in Rio, which adds uncertainty due to potential field conditions. Williams does have elite 80% snap share and touchdown upside, but efficiency concerns and the tough matchup place him at the end of the RB1 range.

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NegativeUsage19:09

Through two games, Javante Williams has eight catches averaging 6.4 yards per catch, a significant improvement from last year's 2.2 catches per game at 3.9 yards per catch. However, he's averaging only 3 yards per carry with a long run of 9 yards and has not had an explosive run yet; he's receiving 12 carries per game. The source notes the lack of explosive runs is concerning, though he remains a high-end RB2 start.

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NegativeMatchup20:13

The source speculates that the Ravens may be cautious about bringing back Matabuike for the Brazil game due to field conditions (the field was like a skating rink when the Packers and Eagles played there previously). If Matabuike returns, the source would move Javante Williams down another spot or two in rankings, as Matabuike is a disruptive force.

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Jaylen Warren

NegativeProjection13:34

Jalen Warren ranks twenty-first in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Jeremiyah Love

NegativeProjection13:34

Jeremiah Love ranks twenty-fourth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Jonah Coleman

NegativeRole41:48

Coleman's ranking at 26 (Fitzy) and 32 (ECR) assumes J.K. Dobbins does not play after tweaking his hamstring; if Dobbins plays, Coleman drops to mid-range to low-end RB3 territory, though he remains flex-worthy if RJ Harvey stays out with his hamstring injury; the ranking is fluid pending game-time decisions and Dobbins' health status.

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NegativeUsage42:38

Coleman posted 1.3 yards after contact per attempt in Week 2, the worst among all running backs—worse than Quijot Dudkins—despite ripping off some explosive runs; he is a bowling-ball type runner without elite speed, and faces the Rams' defense on Sunday night in a matchup that did not look great offensively for the Giants, creating additional concern.

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Jonathan Taylor

NegativeProjection6:05

Jonathan Taylor ranks sixth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Jonathon Brooks

NegativeInjury0:29

Jonathan Brooks is going on the IR with a groin injury that is expected to be severe; the source notes this is not another torn ACL but raises concerns about whether Brooks can get back on track, potentially cascading from his prior knee injury. This ends the season for Brooks as a fantasy asset.

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Kyren Williams

NegativeProjection13:34

Karen Williams ranks fourteenth in Week 3 RB rankings.

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MarShawn Lloyd

NegativeRole44:30

Lloyd is a trap start despite being listed at RB 36; he is in a three-way backfield behind the worst offensive line in the league, which just lost its only good lineman (right tackle Zach Bacoboel, out for the season with a torn patellar tendon); Caleb Johnson led the Packers in rushing yards and was used in overtime after Lloyd fumbled on a wet field.

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NegativeUsage45:00

Lloyd fumbled in Week 2 against the Jets on a wet field, after which Caleb Johnson took over and led the Packers in rushing yards and was the back used in overtime, signaling a potential shift in the backfield hierarchy.

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Omarion Hampton

NegativeMatchup8:40

Marion Hampton ranks twelfth in Week 3 RB rankings but faces a very difficult matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have significantly changed their defensive approach under new coordinator Jim Leonard, selling out to stop the run more than the pass. They allow a league-low 2.6 yards per carry on zone blocking schemes (down from 4.9 last season) and have recorded a tackle for loss or no gain on 14 of 21 carries behind the line of scrimmage (number one in the NFL). Hampton has not had a role in the passing game, making him game-script dependent. The source expresses significant fear about Hampton's rest-of-season outlook, noting the Chargers' difficult schedule ahead and describing him as a sell-high candidate despite a decent Week 2 performance.

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Rachaad White

NegativeProjection13:34

Rachaad White ranks twenty-third in Week 3 RB rankings.

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Rhamondre Stevenson

NegativeUsage38:36

Stevenson showed higher success rate than Henderson on a down-to-down carry basis in Week 2, demonstrating more consistency, though Henderson has the home-run potential; neither back received significant receiving work despite it being part of both players' skill sets.

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NegativeRole38:43

Stevenson is expected to see a 60-40 workload split against Jacksonville in favor of Henderson despite being more consistent on a down-to-down carry basis; he remains trusted more in pass protection and will be on the field in that role, but the Patriots' banged-up offensive line and road matchup against a strong Jacksonville run defense make both backs flex plays at best.

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Saquon Barkley

NegativeMatchup6:23

Saquon Barkley faces a five-star matchup against the Chicago Bears, one of the worst run defenses in the league. The Bears allow 122 rushing yards per game (7th worst) and 7th in yards for contact allowed per attempt. However, there is concern about his usage following a stinger injury in Week 2 that forced him to leave the game and be used sparingly upon return. The Eagles' offensive line has declined (ranked 29th in adjusted line yards) following the loss of Landon Dickerson to IR and the departure of O-line guru Jeff Stoutland. Despite these concerns, the source notes the matchup is so favorable that even 18 touches could result in a top-five RB performance, and the Monday night game gives Barkley an extra day to recover from the stinger.

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Woody Marks

PositiveSleeper46:21

Marks is ranked RB 35 and has played 49% of the Texans' offensive snaps with 23 touches over two games, only three fewer snaps than David Montgomery; he faces the Colts, who are allowing 202 yards per game to running backs and rank second in rushing yards and second in receiving yards allowed to the position through two weeks, making this a come-one-come-all matchup despite Marks not being as talented as the Colts' recent opponents (Derrick Henry, Kenneth Walker III).

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Full transcript

Episode Transcript

668
0:00This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click Grainger.com, or stop by.
0:04Grainger, for the ones who get it done. I'm going to need some support as we are going to look at accuracy from week two.
0:11It is not Erickson, it is not Fitz, it is not me, it's someone else that we have to give some love to.
0:18But we'll go through, we'll give some shout outs to the top three.
0:22We're going to talk about the top 36 running backs for the week.
0:25We're going to look through all the interlying deep sleepers, the plays.
0:29What we're not going to be doing, guys, is talking about Jonathan Brooks.
0:33Unfortunately, Fitz, Jonathan Brooks is going on the IR, just to pop this at the top of the news.
0:38Not the best thing for everybody's favorite sleeper. I remember the term people were using.
0:42Remember the industry plants? I think I've talked about this.
0:45There were people out there that are like, there's a couple of industry plants that are out there.
0:51Parker Washington was one, Jonathan Brooks was the other, and unfortunately Jonathan Brooks isn't working out.
0:55It's going to affect Chuba Hubbard, but that's our big piece of news before we jumped into this recording, Mr.
1:01Pat Fitzmaurice. At least it's not another torn ACL, but it is a groin injury that's going to be severe.
1:07And you just wonder if Brooks is going to be one of these guys who can never get it back on track.
1:13Maybe this is some sort of cascading injury from like the knee not being what it had been pre tears.
1:19So yeah, it's going to be interesting to see what they do behind Chuba Hubbard because they've got AJ Dillon.
1:25I guess they brought in Austin Eckler for a workout.
1:28So it sounds like they're maybe not expecting Jonathan Brooks back anytime soon.
1:31I love Austin Eckler. That would be a lot of fun.
1:35But Jonathan Brooks Erickson, the only player that people get excited when he's out for six weeks and not for the season
1:41that you're just like, you're like, oh, this is great news, but looks a little bit of a disaster.
1:46So we didn't really have it on the sheet today, but just a quick little summary.
1:51Like what do you think Chuba Hubbard looks like rest of season for you?
1:55Is he just a staunch top like 20 RB?
1:58Do you think he's gotten to have RB one upside now that there is just no like person that's going to be
2:04battling or take away any significant carries? I think top 20 is probably appropriate for Chuba Hubbard.
2:09The team trusts him. He's had heavy workloads in the past, 2024 and 2025 before he was dealing with some injuries.
2:15So yeah, he is slated to be the best pick that you could have made at running back late in drafts because of the Jonathan Brooks hive.
2:23That I was definitely on the bus driving people to draft Jonathan Brooks.
2:27So it's a big L on my part. And I was making the joke that Tom Strachan, who I did the best
2:33ball drafts with, maybe Jonathan Brooks is actually the guy you need because his advance rates can be really low because you drafted him so high.
2:40But if he comes back, makes 14, 15, 16, 17 in the playoffs has a bunch of big weeks.
2:46Well, maybe he is the guy that you actually needed.
2:49So that's the spin positive take on Jonathan Brooks.
2:51But in reality, this is probably a washed season for Brooks.
2:55Another one, unfortunately. Yeah, like maybe you needed that.
2:57You didn't need to draft that. You could have probably picked that above the wire would probably be a little bit more of the take.
3:04Yeah, go ahead. Would you guys rather have Cam Scadaboo or Chuba Hubbard rest of season?
3:09Ooh, I would go Chuba, but so we're split.
3:12All right. We're a house split here. So, Fitzy, you have to bring it home.
3:16Which one? I have Scadaboo one spot higher in rested season rankings.
3:19Really close though. Virtual tie. Okay. Well, we're going to be talking about all those rankings.
3:24By the way, Chuba 19 on the ranks for this coming week.
3:28But we are going to go through a top 36, what ECR is looking like through the expert consensus ranks, where we've
3:34got some of these guys, some of the big plays.
3:37But every single week, we are ranking these and we have an accuracy contest.
3:41And on this episode, the running back episode, we do like to give a shout out to what the top three looks like.
3:48And shout out to Muntradamus, finishing number one in accuracy this week.
3:51I believe, if I saw this correctly, I think he finished one in two of the main categories.
3:56So like monster week. Coming in at two is Kev Wheeler.
3:59And number three, Mike Mayer from betting pros. Like how he changed the betting pros off from fantasy pros to betting pros.
4:06Mike Mayer finishing three. Erickson, would you like to give a speech to our dear Mike Mayer for finishing top three here?
4:12I mean, if he puts up another top three finish, I may not be back on the show next week for week four rankings.
4:19And maybe Mike Mayer filling in for Andrew Erickson.
4:22So shout out to you, Mike. Crushing it as always.
4:25Our Eagles, Homer and Truther. Let's see if you can repeat week three.
4:28He gets a go birds for that. Good job, man.
4:31Mayor's mayor's beast, man. If we want to give, I put shout outs, I guess.
4:36But Fitzy and I did finish inside the top 50.
4:38We were both inside the top 50. So I guess that's like something, nothing to write home about or anything like that.
4:45And Erickson, we'll check in. No, no. Read the sheet.
4:48What does the sheet say? I think you really like the, you're in the 100 range.
4:52Like, no, no. What does it say in the sheet?
4:55Read the sheet. 146. Read the sheet. Exactly what it says.
4:58Oh, oh, I see. I see. Erickson. Buns. Yep.
5:01Buns. Buns. Sorry. Apologies. You are right. That way.
5:04We actually should have like anything under like 125.
5:06It's just like buns. It'll just be levels of buns.
5:09So it happens. I was trash last week. So, you know, we move on.
5:13It was a weird week. There's actually like a lot of kind of chalk at the top levels of all the positions that performed.
5:20And then there were just, you know, a couple outliers that really jumped in.
5:24But shout out to those guys. Those guys kill it.
5:27You can go and check how they've individually got these set up when you're checking out the ranks.
5:32It's fantasypros.com slash rankings. If you guys want to play along on this episode, if you want to follow throughout the week,
5:39and just know that some of the ranks are going to change as more experts are going to be putting in their ranks at whatever period of time.
5:47So speaking of, we've said ranks a whole bunch.
5:49Let's actually go look at them. RB ranks. We're going to look at the RB ones.
5:54This is one through 12. And this is what the big board looks like this week.
5:58Jameer Gibbs has got the top spot with Ken Walker at two.
6:02I'll be honest with you guys. I was really trying to not, I was trying to figure out how do I not put Ken Walker at number one?
6:10And it's just because there's a guy named Jameer Gibbs.
6:13Uh, B. John Robinson at three, Christian McCaffrey at four, Derek Henry at five, Jonathan Taylor.
6:18And then the back half, Ashton Gentty, James Cook, Chase Brown, Saquon Barkley, Brees Hall, and a Marion Hampton.
6:23There are three five-star matchups on this. There are four, four-star matchups on this.
6:27So there's like a lot of chalk. We always kind of go through this when we're talking about the top range.
6:33What is there to talk about? This is the one I want to bring to your guys' attention.
6:38And Fitzy, we'll start with you. I just want to get your take on Saquon Barkley here for a minute.
6:44Because Saquon Barkley comes in at ECR 10. You guys are a slight house split here.
6:49Not that you're advocating to push off or anything like that for him this week.
6:53But I'm also a little bit worried. Just had the stinger.
6:56You saw Tank. You saw Shipley. They started. I wonder if they want to play it a little bit easy in this
7:03next coming matchup and not have him have this big dominant workload because of what happened last week.
7:08And we see a little bit more of those guys, which caps the major upside.
7:12And you've got him at RB 13. That doesn't really represent necessarily what I'm selling here.
7:17But I'm curious if that was your take on not having him be an RV one, if maybe there's a little version of that.
7:24Yeah, it's definitely related to the stinger. Had to leave the game.
7:27Came back in the second half, but was used kind of sparingly after he came back.
7:32And Saquon was reportedly going to get an MRI.
7:34No word on the results of that MRI as of this recording, or at least I haven't seen any.
7:40I know Jeff Mueller, the injury analyst for Fantasy Points, noted that Saquon has kind of a history of stingers and got one last year.
7:47Obviously, we like the matchup here against the Bears.
7:50It's a bad defense. But if Saquon plays, I doubt he's getting 20 carries coming off a stinger.
7:55And, like, by the way, the Eagles offensive line is not what it used to be.
8:00Like, that's the other factor here. The Eagles currently ranked 29th in the run blocking metric adjusted line yards.
8:05They had to put Landon Dickerson on IR. That forced kind of a reshuffling of some positions on the offensive line.
8:11They no longer have their O-line guru, Jeff Stoutland.
8:14He departed after last season. So things are not quite the same with this offensive line.
8:18And maybe that hurts Saquon a little, too. Yeah, what do you think?
8:22You're on a little bit of a higher end.
8:25You've got him at RB9. Your rank kind of maybe represents you're not worried about it.
8:29Or maybe this is simply maybe you are. And it's just about the Bears defense.
8:34I'll bet you it's a little bit more of that ladder there that this Bears defense.
8:38This is one of the three five star matchups for running back this week.
8:42It's really, really good. But are you concerned at all about what usage is going to look like this week with him?
8:49I think I could probably change my tune on the projected usage as we get more news and information.
8:54I think that's a lot of information about Saquon Barkley and the results of his MRI.
8:59The fact that the Bears Eagles game is also on Monday night.
9:02So it is an extra day that Saquon Barkley gets potentially to see his normal workload.
9:07I mean, the fact that he didn't really play that much in the last game in week two.
9:12If he is good to go and he's not feeling any after effects of the stinger, then he could be fresh and
9:19ready to rock and roll against this Bears defense.
9:21That's terrible. Cheeks 26 first under center runs this season in terms of EPA per rush allowed 11 of Saquon Barkley's 18
9:27carries season have been from under center. So I think that's a really good matchup for him bears 122 rushing yards allowed
9:34per game 7th in yards for contact allowed per attempt.
9:37So understandably the Eagles interior offensive line has not been as good.
9:40But man, when the matchup is this juicy, I don't even know if he needs 20 carries to score two touchdowns hit over 100 yards.
9:47He's only really had one big run all season long, and that was like the majority of his yards against the commanders.
9:54But if he rips off one or two big runs, that's maybe all he needs to be a top 10 running back.
10:00I just can't see myself not ranking him as a fantasy RB one if he's active against the Chicago Bears, especially if
10:07they're starting case Keenum and you get the Eagles in positive game script.
10:10Yeah, it's too salivating for me. It's one of those things too.
10:14It's kind of tricky because like the Eagles are also going to be without Goddard and it's like if you can just
10:20bear down on this Bears team and run, why would they not keep doing it?
10:24Even if they do bring in Bigsby and Shipley a little bit more like 18 touches by Barkley might be top five RB against this Bears defense.
10:32So it is a kind of a tricky one.
10:35I want to hear I'm kind of with Fitzy though.
10:38I want to hear a little bit more of the news as the week goes on just to feel a little bit
10:44more positive before I move him up. But I thought he was really the only major question as just one quick aside
10:50before we leave the RB ones because it's like what do we talk about?
10:55Is there anybody you feel squirrely about in this list?
10:57Erickson, we can start with you and it's okay if you don't.
11:01I just want to let you know the list we have again, you know, it's the bottom half Taylor, Jente, Cook, Brown, Barkley, Hall, Hampton.
11:08James Cook has got a theoretical tough matchup here.
11:11Jente, Jonathan, Taylor. There's a couple like less than stellar matchups.
11:14Is there anybody you feel a little bit squirrely about or do you feel very confident what these RB ones are?
11:20I don't feel confident about Hampton or anything. I was going to say Hampton too.
11:24You guys both said Hampton to do that. Yeah, just the Chargers, the middle of their offensive line, their offense in general.
11:31It's just been kind of a train wreck. Erickson, you want to talk on Hampton?
11:35The Bills run defense is not the same as it was last year.
11:39And under the new defensive coordinator Jim Leonard, they're actually selling out to stop the run more than stop the pass.
11:45If you look at the way that they've given up a lot of their yards and points this season.
11:50I know Dave Montgomery scored three touchdowns, but he was not efficient.
11:54Jameer Gibbs got bottled up for a lot of that game, despite the fact that Ed Oliver didn't even play for Buffalo.
12:00So schematically speaking, they are very different than they were operating under Sean McDermott.
12:04They've allowed a league low 2.6 yards per carry on zone blocking schemes under Leonard down from 4.9 yards per carry on
12:11those attempts last season, which was ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals.
12:14They've recorded a tackle for a loss or no gain 14 of 21 carries for ball carries behind Larner scrimmage.
12:19That's number one in the NFL. They have the number one stuff right against opposing running backs.
12:24And the fact that Hampton has not had a role really at all in terms of the passing game.
12:30If you look up and it's 14 nothing is Hampton game scripted out.
12:34And if he doesn't score, man, it's really dicey potentially with Hampton, which is why I talked about him on the trade
12:40show as a sell high as someone that I'm really terrified based on what's like after this matchup for the Chargers schedule.
12:46If you look at the teams that start oh and two than the way that the Chargers have after winning a lot of games last year.
12:54I don't remember the exact teams, but none of them finished with very strong records.
12:58It's it's very scary the way that this Chargers schedule and rest of season is projecting and Hampton coming off a pretty decent game.
13:05Almost at 100 rushing yards touchdown. Man, I'm really scared for him.
13:09OK, a little bit of fear in Marion Hampton.
13:11Maybe that'll come up as we kind of get through and maybe we find a few of the RB2s.
13:17We really like we're going to go to the RB2s.
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15:35And this is Joe McCormick. And we're the hosts of the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast.
15:40This week on the show, it's Star Trek. So we're going to be talking about the Borg all week long.
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15:59Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
16:04All right, let's take a look at the RB2s.
16:07The big board coming in at 13. We've got Javante Williams.
16:10And fun fact, he is the one guy that made major movement.
16:13He was like yesterday, 11. And he moved out of the top RB spots here.
16:18Rougher matchup, Baltimore. Karen Williams is at 14. Devon A.
16:21Chan, DeAndre Swift, David Montgomery, Bucky Irving, Chuba Hubbard comes in at 19.
16:24Then we've got Cam Scadaboo, Jalen Warren, Aaron Jones, Bachel Tootin, and Jeremiah Love.
16:28So let's talk about Javante Williams. This is funny because the, you know, the original side of this is you guys were lower.
16:35You're still lower than Javante Williams, but he adjusted from 11 down to 13.
16:39You both got him at 14. Erickson, you want to start with, again, like concerns of any running back that's in the
16:45side of the top 15 is like a little bit overblown.
16:49But this is a guy that you both are lower on.
16:52So what concerns do you have on Javante Williams and maybe starting him this week?
16:56I think it's just giving credit to the Ravens defense as a significant upgrade versus the two defenses that the Dallas Cowboys have faced so far this season.
17:04They have faced the New York Giants. They faced the Washington Commanders.
17:08And in those two matchups, Williams did have the three touchdown game in week one, but he has 71 yards on 24
17:14carries 3 point or 3.0 yards per carry. The Dallas Cowboys offense could not really establish a run game consistently against the Washington Commanders.
17:21They had to keep dropping back to throw with Dak Prescott because that was only the really effective way that they could move the football.
17:28I know that Javante had a big run that was called back on a penalty, but since losing Tyler Smith, their starting
17:35offensive guard, they really haven't been able to generate a lot of blocking up front for Javante.
17:40So I think that's one of the reasons why he's just kind of at the end of that fantasy RB1 range for
17:46me, a tougher matchup against the Ravens defense who have been, I think, pretty solid against running backs.
17:51Jonathan Taylor obviously got his in week one because he is a stud, but the Saints could not do anything against this Ravens defense.
17:582.4 yards per carry allowed in week two. The chance that Ravens get some of their guys back.
18:03Matibuque was limited all last week. He could come back when they're starting linebackers, Teddy Cannon.
18:08He could come back in this week three matchup.
18:10The game's also being played in Rio, which weird things just kind of happen in some of these international games.
18:16So that's something you always want to account for.
18:19I know Wyrm has talked about how there was actually rumors that this game was not even going to be played in
18:25Brazil because of the conditions of the field being very, very, very bad.
18:29So that always kind of scares me of like, OK, like, could this be a slog if the field is just a total mess?
18:36I believe the last time we saw a team play in Brazil, it was the Eagles and Packers and guys were falling
18:42like falling down all over the place. So, again, that could generate big plays.
18:46And Javante has been involved in the passing game a little bit.
18:50But just, you know, the efficiency leaves a little bit to be desired.
18:54But the workload for Javante is obviously elite 80 percent snap share last week and obviously has touchdown upside.
18:59So I think I think this is appropriate spot for him in the RB right outside the RB one range.
19:05Forgot about the yeah, the Rio game. Not a lot of talk about the travel.
19:09I mean, I guess it's not Australia, but it's still there's some travel there for the Rio game.
19:14Fitzy, what do you think about Javante Williams? Great, great points on Ericsson and, you know, field of play and what it's
19:21going to look like for the travel. You're a little bit hesitant on the rank.
19:25Do you is this more of just a product of the rank or is there any real true hesitation for you?
19:31I mean, you're probably starting Javante Williams if you have him.
19:34And the encouraging thing, I think, with Javante is that he has been better and more involved as a pass catcher this year so far.
19:42Last year, he averaged two point two catches a game and only three point nine yards per catch.
19:47He averaged almost a full yard better on his runs last year than on his catches, which was pretty bizarre.
19:52Through two games this year, though, Javante eight catches averaging a more reasonable six point four yards per catch.
19:58The issue is that he's averaging three yards per carry, like Ericsson said, and has a long run of nine yards.
20:04Just not an explosive runner has not had an explosive run yet.
20:08And also not getting a ton of rushing volume.
20:10He's had 12 carries each of his first two games.
20:13Yeah, the field like it was a skating rink when the Packers and Eagles played in Brazil the last time.
20:19I do wonder if that maybe keeps the Ravens from bringing back Matabuike in this game.
20:23They've been kind of cautious with his return. And when he's back, he's a disruptive force.
20:28Like if I know his he's playing, I might move Javante down another spot or two in my rankings.
20:34But yeah, for now, it's just high. High. High end running back, too.
20:37And I think you're playing him. But, you know, the lack of explosive runs is kind of annoying at this point.
20:43A running back that you guys both agree that is not an RB two based off of the ranks.
20:49You guys both have his RB ones is Devon H and Devon H and going up, though, against the Kansas City Chiefs to start matchup graded.
20:56He is ECR 15 Erickson, you've got him at 12.
20:59But Fitzy, you are the high man. You got him at 11 and the 49ers matchup.
21:04You know, that was another one of those tests in where he was going to go against, you know, I don't know.
21:10The 49ers just give they give up plays on the run.
21:13But, you know, how he was going to perform as the, you know, 49ers kind of dominate that team.
21:19What do you think about Devon H and as far as jumping up to 11 again?
21:24This is the last of the guys. These are kind of like, yeah, these are guys that you're starting.
21:29But if there are questions, you really seem to like Devon H and this week.
21:33Yeah, the Miami offense is bad. The Miami offensive line has been bad.
21:37But H and is averaging 19 touches a game.
21:40And we weren't sure if H and was going to get his normally robust usage in the passing game with Malik Willis at quarterback.
21:47But so far, H and has been targeted 11 times and has seven catches, which puts them on a pace for 60 catches.
21:53The rushing success rate for H and so far this season is only 32.3%, which is about 17 percentage points below his career average.
22:00I can't really make the case that the Dolphins offensive line is going to be good at some point.
22:06But I promise that a chance rushing success rate is going to come up.
22:10And the usage so far has been pretty much everything H and investors could have hoped for.
22:15Erickson, what do you think about Devon H and you've also got him as an RV one this week?
22:20You've got him at 12, three spots higher than ECR.
22:23What is your addition to H and here? You got to love the usage, at least.
22:28It's not like awesome. You know, the team doesn't fly and move or anything like that.
22:32But, you know, he's going to get his touches.
22:3593 yards from scrimmage last week. Right. In a game where Miami's offense really couldn't do nothing.
22:40Those were all hard earned yardage from Devon H and we know that he can rip off a big play, a big
22:46explosive run, a big play in the passing game.
22:49To fit this point about H and his doom and gloom projection as a receiver with Malik Willis and Caleb Douglas may not even play in this game.
22:57So you're just opening up more target opportunities for H and to eat, especially if they're in negative game script.
23:03If you look at all running backs this season, number one in routes run Devon H and so he's going to have
23:09opportunities to catch four or five, six balls out of the backfield.
23:13I would also to talk about and this is something that I want to look at across the landscape this week is
23:19you're getting certain teams playing at home for the first time.
23:22Miami is one of those teams that's played both their first two games on the road, which is a tougher place to
23:28play, especially if you're a really, really young team.
23:31Miami has a home field advantage in September at home in the heat.
23:35I think that that matters because they're used to it.
23:38So I think H and again, I think worst case scenario is a volume play, but I think this is an opportunity
23:44where he could potentially rip off a big run, catch pass out of the backfield.
23:48So I think that he is a good, you know, he's a fine play this week.
23:53Yeah, I mean, he's a he's a top dog.
23:56All right, let's move down to two guys that are in the bottom half of the RB to range again.
24:01You're probably not having to have too many questions about these, but who knows Aaron Jones actually might be one of those
24:08guys that makes it tricky because he jumped up probably not one of your top two backs.
24:13He is ECR 22 this week going up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
24:16We saw the usage last week. You both actually this is another instance.
24:20You guys are both higher. You put us pressed him as a top 20 running back.
24:25So Erickson, why don't you kick it off here?
24:27Aaron Jones, your thoughts on him being a little bit higher.
24:31He is in that like mid ish tier RB to range.
24:34What's your confidence level with him moving forward? A little shaky in terms of is he 100% healthy?
24:39I know he got a little nicked up in last week's game, and I would be very surprised if he's not on
24:45the injury report for the Minnesota Vikings this week.
24:48So that's something that with Aaron Jones as an older player, something that you always need to be aware of that this
24:54guy gets banged up and that can knock him out of the game.
24:58But if he is healthy and ready to go, I expect him to see bell cow level usage like we saw last
25:04week against the Bears 23 carries for 105 yards.
25:07That was the most carries he's ever had for the Minnesota Vikings.
25:10So it was clear that the team put their trust into Aaron Jones and not into DJ Dallas or Daman Claiborne.
25:17He was the guy that they trusted to carry the workload in a game that weather played a role.
25:22It was where they can play ball control. Now, the issue with the matchup is it's much tougher this week against the Buccaneers.
25:29Like this is a defense that sells out to stop the run had it's been that way since Todd Bowles basically took over as a defensive play caller.
25:37So it's not as easy a layup as the Chicago Bears.
25:40But when you have volume on your side, especially with Aaron Jones, who can be using the passing game wasn't the case
25:46last week because the game script didn't call for it.
25:49And I think that it does work in his favor that he ran a lot of man concepts last week, 5.1 yards
25:56per carry on man concepts compared to 3.3 yards per carry in 2026.
25:59And the Buccaneers have actually been really bad against man concepts since last year, 5.7 yards per carry.
26:05That's the second most in the lead behind only the New York Giants.
26:08So maybe the matchup is not as bad on paper.
26:11I kind of just like fading the Buccaneers in all facets just because they're a team that is totally unraveling since the second half of last season.
26:19So I continue wanting to target them as a bad team overall.
26:22So I think the Minnesota Vikings, Aaron Jones, top 20 play.
26:26No Damon Clayborne. I mean, just no, anyway, just Aaron Jones and Aaron Jones rolls Fitzy.
26:30What do you think about Aaron Jones? You got him at RB 20 this week.
26:35Yeah, Erickson framed this pretty perfectly. And maybe it would be a good idea for the Vikings to ease off the throttle
26:41a little bit with their 31 year old running back.
26:44But what choice do they have with Jordan Mason on IR?
26:47So you figure Jones will once again have a pretty substantial workload and maybe a little more work in the passing game.
26:53It was just the passing game was impossible last week because of the raw wet conditions in Chicago.
26:59And Jones has always been a pretty good pass catcher.
27:02So I'd expect him to maybe augment his rushing numbers with a few catches this week.
27:06We're going to do the last one here. I just want to take one little backtrack because I was trying to get
27:12this to pull this up while we were talking, but then you guys moved on.
27:17So I wanted to come back to it. But I just wanted to put this out with Devon H and just an
27:23interesting thing over on fantasy points as I was going through some data.
27:27If you sort by 25 carries or more, there are 14 backs that have a 40% or worse stuff rate.
27:33So getting stuffed 14 backs. Devon H has the second worst stuff rate of all 14 of those backs.
27:38He has the worst success rate as well of all of those backs.
27:42So just an interesting thing. And like we're seeing the volume, but in that offense trying to be efficient, you know, only
27:48actually only four backs, by the way, have a 50% or higher stuff rate.
27:52The other backs are really good, but the success rate that also second worst in missed tackles of that entire group is
27:59that pretty telling to defense is just not threatened.
28:01I mean, this makes sense because why would you be threatened by the Dolphins receivers?
28:06Right. A hundred percent. You stop H and you stop the Miami Dolphins offense.
28:10So I think but it does go back to we see this sometimes when teams load up the box to stop the run.
28:16Yes, they create a lot of negative plays. But if H and just makes one guy miss, there's no more guy at
28:23the second level and then it's off to the races.
28:26Which he hasn't been doing. Hasn't done yet. But you do know it's it's very much.
28:30It's not like he's never going to have an explosive run all year long.
28:34Like, yeah, he's too good of a player. So that's just something to kind of keep in mind.
28:40Eventually, he's going to have a couple big runs here, especially first home game.
28:44So maybe this could be the spot for him.
28:46Yeah. And I only brought it up because when I got to I was like, I wonder what is like, you know, getting stuff.
28:53What's the stuff percentage? And when I noticed it was number two among all those running backs and then also hit the worst success rate.
29:00I thought it was valuable to just talk about here for a second to bring us back.
29:05But let's go to the final running back of this range.
29:08And it's Basial Tootin who comes in at RB 23.
29:11You guys have a little bit of a split here because this is a tough matchup against New England.
29:17This is, I think, one of just a handful of like one star matchups that are out there.
29:22He has been efficient. Obviously, we've seen some Chris Rodriguez.
29:25Fitzy, you are the low man. You've actually pushed Tootin outside of the RB twos.
29:29It's 25. But, you know, he's always right there.
29:32But he's not a RB two for you this week when he comes in at 23.
29:36Talk to us about Basial Tootin against the Patriots.
29:39Yeah, maybe I should like him a little more than I do.
29:4313 carries 65 yards and a touchdown last week.
29:45And the touchdown came on a goal line carry from the one yard line.
29:49So that's good. Had 88 yards from scrimmage in week one.
29:52I guess my only reservations are that I'm still not totally sold on the Jaguars offensive line, even though it does currently
29:59rank seventh in the adjusted line yards run blocking metric.
30:02And the other thing, Tootin only has three targets over his first two games.
30:06Yeah, I thought he'd be way more involved in that at least.
30:09But Erickson, where are you at with Basial Tootin?
30:12I think you do have him. You actually have him.
30:15Now I'm looking one spot higher than ECR. Not that you're pounding the table for him, but you have him as an RB two this week.
30:22So a little bit more optimistic against your Patriots defense.
30:25Yeah, because I think that when you look at the strengths of the Patriots, it's Christian Gonzalez and it's their interior defensive line with Milton Williams, Christian Barrymore.
30:33That's where you want to avoid those types of rushes.
30:36Whereas Tootin, if he gets to the outside, like this is where he's off to the races.
30:41And the pass game usage has been underwhelming, but it's not for a lack of effort.
30:46Like they have been trying to get him going and he's actually had two catches the last two weeks that have come
30:52back on penalties where it looked like, oh, he's being sprung loose for a big run or a big play.
30:58But it just hasn't come to fruition because there's been a holding penalty or something along those lines.
31:03But it's clearly something they are trying to get him going with getting him outside.
31:07And that was the only thing the Steelers could do against Patriots offense was Jalen Warren, like Jalen Warren.
31:13Save us, please rip off a big play because he's good.
31:16And the same thing with week one with Jadarian Price.
31:19Like he looked really efficient shot of a cannon against his Patriots run defense.
31:23So the fact that Tootin is kind of cleared his way as the RB one that he got a wildcat carry at
31:29the one yard line suggests, OK, he's still going to get red zone opportunities.
31:33And look, I mean, I think that he's continuing to trend in the right direction.
31:38No massive explosive games. And we may need like a Miami Dolphins matchup for Tootin to really explode.
31:43I'm not saying this is an explosion spot for him, but I think that he's just going to keep chugging along like
31:49the little tugboat that could Bay shell Tootin. And I think that he's going to keep chugging along here.
31:55So I like him as a back end RB too.
31:58By the way, just keep it. I have my same sorted out filtering by 25 carries.
32:02Bay shell Tootin fifth best success rate of running backs with the second best missed force tackles per attempt.
32:08So the Ken Walker is number one forcing the most missed tackles.
32:11Bay shell Tootin is number two and he's got a top five success rate.
32:15So pretty solid for Tootin there. All right. We're going to go to our final set on the RBs here.
32:21The flex RB threes, 25 through 36. And we start with quinch on.
32:25Jutkins coming in at 25. Travis H in at 26.
32:28We've got Travion Henderson. There's our new addition there.
32:30Tony Pollard at 28. Ramander Stevenson at 29. Blake Corm at 30.
32:34And the bottom half is common on guy. Jonah Coleman at 32.
32:37Corey cross. Kimeric, Kalon Black, Woody Marks, Marshawn Lloyd.
32:40Quinch on Judkins. You guys are split on this guy.
32:43You guys are both higher, but one of you really, really likes Quinch on Judkins this week.
32:48And that's the undertaker. Andrew Erickson, not with an under.
32:50You've got him at 15 versus the ECR of 25.
32:53Fitzy's in the twenties here. So we should probably just start with you Erickson simply because this is your guy this week.
33:00Yes. He was by sit of the week. The last two weeks.
33:03He, I bet the under on his rushing yards two weeks in a row.
33:07Not the case in week three. It is Judkins overs.
33:10It is Judkins start of the week because this is a whole different projection for him for me because first two weeks
33:16of the season, brutal matchups on the road for the Cleveland Browns facing at Jacksonville, who was one of the best run defense in the NFL last year.
33:25Still is. And then Tampa Bay, we just talked about again on the road, bad offensive lines.
33:29Don't travel. The Browns don't have a good offensive line.
33:32They have a young offensive line, but things are starting to gel for them a little bit.
33:37Now they get their first home game. Now with the Sean Watson starting, is it really a home game remains to be seen.
33:44It seems like they're a little bit more open to it after they finally won a game, but I don't expect the
33:50crowd to always be on the side of the Browns offense.
33:53That being said, it is a little bit easier for that offensive line to communicate when they're playing in Cleveland and Judkins
34:00has a bell cow role without Dylan. Samson in a lineup 67% snap share last week.
34:04He had five catches for 27 yards on five targets.
34:07So obviously the rushing efficiency has been brutal, but I think that's really been more to the matchups that he's had.
34:13He's probably faced the two toughest run defenses on the road to start the season.
34:18And that's why I was talking about avoiding him as a draft target all season because you're going to draft him and
34:24he's gonna be a landmine for the first two weeks.
34:27But now he gets the Carolina Panthers, who arguably one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.
34:32They're playing at home. Judkins is a three down skill set without Dylan Samson in a lineup and Deshaun Watson is coming off a good game.
34:40So honestly, when I'm looking at my rankings, I feel better about Judkins this week than Omerion Hampton.
34:45Ooh, maybe make that change. I already did. Maybe I moved.
34:48I moved Hampton down to RB 15 again, like they're both bell cow guys, but Judkins projects to have a better role in the passing game.
34:56He's got a better matchup. He's playing at home and he can't get game scripted out.
35:00So and like from a talent perspective, who was better last year?
35:04I don't I don't think it was. Yeah, I mean, I don't think it was Hampton like Hampton was hurt though.
35:10So yeah, it's tough to say. I know what you're I know what you're getting at.
35:14But Judkins like I mean, dude, he was a Junkins with beast mode.
35:18It's weird. It's weird being where we are with Judkins now versus last year.
35:22We were very pro him. I actually do agree with you that this is his opportunity to break back out.
35:28Like I think it would behoove the Browns after, you know, that efficiency that they were able to get out of Deshaun
35:34Watson to come out and just bang the ball on the ground for a little bit.
35:39Set up some play action. Let Watson be efficient with his, you know, two new weapons and Casey and Denzel Boston.
35:45So I agree with you. I think they want to get Judkins going.
35:49And this seems like a get right spot fits.
35:51You agree not to the level of like top 15, but you are higher than ECR on Judkins.
35:57So what do you want to add on him?
35:59It does seem like a good spot. I just wonder about the offensive line, like because right now Judkins is averaging 2.3
36:06yards per carry behind this totally rebuilt offensive line that ranks dead last in adjusted line yards.
36:10But Cleveland's adjusted line yards number 2.40. Next worst number is 2.88, which, by the way, belongs to Erickson's New England Patriots.
36:17Oh, we just lost our offensive starting guard. Yeah, let's go.
36:20Oh, and by the way, weird statistical oddity like Javante Williams.
36:23Quinch on Judkins has had exactly 12 carries in each of his first two games and has not had a run of 10 or more yards.
36:31Hmm. Well, going to break that this week, hopefully.
36:33Streaks for meant to be broken. Speaking of speaking of Travion Henderson and or the Patriots, and we go to Travion Henderson in here.
36:40He comes in and he jumps over Ramondre Stevenson after last week, the fumble Travion gets the usage.
36:45He's 27. You guys are pretty lockstep. Fitzy, you are an ECR.
36:49Erickson's one spot lower. What is your confidence level in Travion Henderson going into this week?
36:54Do you think I kind of feel like based on your rank, Fitzy, and I'm not seeing Ramondre's where you have him.
37:00But are you thinking this is going to be a split that has the slight favor to Travion?
37:05Do you think there's an opportunity where Travion can can break out?
37:09What's your take on him for week three? I mean, I'm team Travion and it seemed wild to me that the majority
37:15of the fantasy intelligentsia had Ramondre ahead of Travion in their draft rankings when Travion has so much more juice than Ramondre.
37:21I mean, just I can't get that three week stretch out of my head from last year when Stevenson was out and
37:28Henderson had like 330 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns over those three weeks.
37:31You know, and then Henderson also had two other two touchdown games when Ramondre Stevenson was playing.
37:36So I do think just we saw in week one when Henderson wasn't playing against Seattle like the Patriots offense just felt kind of constricted.
37:44They needed that running back with like breakaway potential.
37:46And I do think it's going to be high variance with Henderson week to week.
37:51Some games you're going to get the big runs.
37:53Some games you won't. And some games he's going to really let you down in some games.
37:58He's going to have some pretty good results like he had in week two.
38:02So, you know, I just so I'm right on ECR.
38:05I think he's viable RB to flex play this week, but it could be really boomer bust.
38:10Yeah, I mean, I guess I mean your take there was a little bit like overarching if you were to pick a
38:16defense like this might be one of those where it's a little bit more bust.
38:21But it's a Jaguars defense. So like this might not be the matchup that you love, but he also has the ability
38:27to just in one play make the big thing happen.
38:30Is that kind of what you're with Erickson that like I would imagine you I mean, you know, we've talked to the
38:36beat writers and everyone said it was kind of Ramondre at least early on.
38:40This isn't a great matchup. Travion had his breakout.
38:43Like, how are you piecing this situation together? You're one spot lower than ECR on him.
38:47I think that fits kind of outlined it perfectly where Henderson is going to be kind of boomer bust because you don't
38:54know exactly what his workload is going to be like.
38:57We don't know if Stevenson is going to fumble again.
39:00And obviously last week, that's what really helped Henderson get additional touches because Stevenson fumbled on the first drive.
39:05But then the team went back to him a little bit in the second half of the game, even though there was
39:11a time when it was all Henderson and Henderson paid off because he had that massive run.
39:16But in terms of who had a higher success rate, it was Stevenson on a down to down carry basis.
39:22Stevenson was a little bit more consistent than Henderson was, but Henderson is the guy that can hit the home run.
39:28So neither of these guys, I don't think you're feeling super great about in a relatively bad matchup.
39:33The Jaguars have been good against running backs, but if you're banking on one guy to rip off the big plates, obviously
39:40going to be Henderson that does it. So that's why he should be ranked higher than Stevenson.
39:45But to the point of the Jaguars defensive line, the fact that the Patriots offensive line is banged up.
39:50They're playing on the road. Stevenson's still trusted more in pass protection like he's going to be out there.
39:56So I think it's going to be a 60 40 type of split in favor of Henderson, but game script can dictate how that potentially could change.
40:03Stevenson fumbles again. What happens there? Does Henderson get more work?
40:07And also Henderson didn't get really any work in the receiving game last week either, which was also kind of bizarre, even
40:13though we know that's part of his skill sets, part of Stevenson skill set, too.
40:17So, yeah, these ones are flex plays at best.
40:20And I think that you're definitely feeling way better about Henderson this week.
40:24I think that's going to be reflective in consensus where he's ahead of Stevenson.
40:28I cannot get out of you guys saw it.
40:30Get the interview out of my head of Travion and we could play it.
40:34I would love to play it where like he doesn't understand the concept of efficiency.
40:39And it's just the reporter asked him, like, you want to work on being more consistent with, you know, efficient running?
40:45He's like, what? And he does it again. And he's just like, what?
40:49It's like, dude, where's my car? And then like, then the guy breaks it down.
40:53He like breaks it all the way down. And then he's just like, I guess it's just like, OK, like that.
40:59Trust that moving forward. Henderson was eight carries for 11 yards.
41:02Yeah, that sounds about right. But don't tell him he's not going to.
41:06He's not going to understand. In one ear and out the other.
41:09Yeah, I don't know. All right. We got two more.
41:12Let's do kind of quick hitters on this because then I want to get to your deeper options, though.
41:18I do think this one maybe specifically deserves a tiny bit more of the attention.
41:22Jonah Coleman. Jonah Coleman is tricky. I think for a lot of people, I think he'll be on the fringes.
41:28And I imagine there's going to be a lot of questions about him this week.
41:32He comes in at ECR 32. And yet again, you both have him higher.
41:36Fitzy, you are the high dog, too. You've almost got Jonah Coleman as an RV to at 26.
41:41So talk to us about what you saw to Jonah Coleman and what you think we're going to see this week.
41:48So this ranking did assume that J.K. Dobbins wouldn't play after reportedly tweaking his hamstring last week.
41:52And I did think it was odd that a source told Tom Pellicero that Dobbins was, quote unquote, good despite the tweak.
41:59Now we're getting reporting that it was leg cramping and possibly not a hamstring.
42:03So if Dobbins plays, I'm going to have to drop Coleman into the area where Erickson and ECR have him ranked like
42:09mid range to low end RB three. But I do think he's going to be flex worthy with RJ Harvey, presumably still out with an actual hamstring injury.
42:17If Erickson, do you feel confident that he's still going to be flex worthy?
42:21If one of those backs is back, if it's Dobbins or it's Harvey likely to be Dobbins, you still feel comfortable in the flex range?
42:29What like was your rank reflective of him? I can't imagine this is reflective of him.
42:33Just both of the other backs being out that this was with Dobbins in there.
42:38But what do you think? I think it was kind of like a hedge ranking in terms of trying to gather more
42:44information about what other Broncos running backs are going to be involved.
42:47Because even if, for example, Harvey was out, Dobbins is out.
42:51Coleman's not going to play 80 percent of the snaps for the Denver Broncos, right?
42:55They're going to involve some of the guys like Tyler Bidet.
42:58You saw he was still involved, especially as a pass catcher for the Denver Broncos in week two with RJ Harvey not in the lineup.
43:05I do think it's interesting that Coleman among running backs in week two, 1.3 yards after contact per attempt.
43:11That was actually the worst among all running backs.
43:13It was actually worse than Quijot Dudkins and in week two.
43:17So I just thought that was kind of an interesting note.
43:20Although I thought that he did rip off some explosive runs.
43:23He is like a bowling ball type of guy like that is Jonah Coleman, not the speed guy or anything like that.
43:29Rams isn't the easiest matchup in the world, and especially what their defense did to the Giants.
43:34James Winston, they did not really look that great offensively.
43:37So the fact that's also a Sunday night game is also concerning because when do we get this information?
43:43Right. Are you willing to throw out Jonah Coleman without knowing Dobbins game time decision?
43:47Because if he plays, I don't feel nearly as great about playing Jonah Coleman as an RB to or a flex play
43:53if Dobbins is out there because he's only to get the probably lion's share of the carries.
43:58But then there's also the scenario where it's also J.K.
44:01Dobbins. This guy is made of glass and he's always hurt.
44:04So he could play one snap like, oh, actually, well, the hamstring not cramps.
44:08And then Coleman smashes and you didn't play him because J.K.
44:12Dobbins was active. So a lot to unravel here and peel back the onions on this Broncos backfield.
44:17But Jonah Coleman's obviously someone you got to keep up to date with the ranks.
44:21It's going to be very fluid as we move around with more information.
44:25All right. Last one. This is a quick hitter here is is Marshawn Lloyd the trap of the week.
44:30He is listed as a top 36 RB. You guys both have them in the 40s.
44:35Erickson, you were the lowest. You've got him at like 45.
44:38Is Marshawn Lloyd a trap start if people put him in?
44:41I don't know how you can feel good about starting him when people have him at 36.
44:46So someone does. I mean, 36 is not a vote of confidence for a supposedly starting running back against the Atlanta Falcons.
44:53I mean, because I again and again, like fits as our Packers home resident here.
44:57Do you have confidence? I mean, like they're using all three different guys like Caleb Johnson got more run.
45:02He actually led the Packers in terms of the total rushing yards.
45:06He was the guy that used in overtime after Marshawn Lloyd fumbled.
45:09Now, I don't know how much blame you can put on Lloyd because everybody was fumbling in that game.
45:15It was a wet field for the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers.
45:19But the fact that yeah, Caleb Johnson led Green Bay and carries best were coming in the overtime.
45:24So I'm going to leave it here to fits because I know we're both low on Marshawn Lloyd.
45:30And I just don't I don't think Lloyd's look that good.
45:33They're two games. Yeah, I feel good doing the waiver show with Fitzy.
45:37I knew this was coming with Marshawn Lloyd. I knew this like take in the rank was going to be there because
45:43Fitzy you were talking up Caleb a little bit on that waiver show.
45:47So let's get your take on it. He looked better than Lloyd.
45:50But whether you play Caleb different story, I would not play Lloyd.
45:54It's a three way backfield behind the worst offensive line in the league, which just lost its one good lineman.
45:59It's right tackle Zach Bacoboel, gone for the season with a torn patellar.
46:03So, yeah, and Caleb looked better. And the backfield split is just so messy.
46:07All right. Final backs then. Each of you have got a deep play.
46:11This is a running back that is not inside the top 36 listed here, but you guys have as a top 36.
46:17Fitzy, why don't you give us your deeper running back play for the week?
46:21Woody Marks. I have ranked running back 35. He's played 49% of the Texans offensive snaps, only three fewer snaps than David Montgomery.
46:28And he's had 23 touches over Houston's first two games.
46:31And they play the Colts. The Colts are a come one, come all matchup for running backs.
46:36I don't think it's possible to overstate how bad the Colts defense has been so far.
46:40Their linebackers are completely atrocious. The Colts have a lot of the second most rushing yards and the second most receiving yards to running back so far.
46:48They're giving up 202 yards per game to our bees through the first two weeks.
46:53Granted, that was against Derrick Henry and Kenneth Walker, the third.
46:56And Woody Marks is not as good as those guys.
46:59Doesn't start for his own team. But the Colts defense is a train wreck.
47:03Erickson, your deep play running back. I like this one.
47:06I have this guy higher as well this week.
47:08Rashad White for the Washington Commanders going up against the juggernaut Seattle Seahawks defense.
47:12Seattle basically stops everything you do offensively except for running backs in the passing game.
47:17That is basically the only way you can move the football.
47:20And really, it's more about schematics that they're more than happy to just let offenses check it down to opposing running backs.
47:26And for our purposes for fantasy football, that's exactly what we want if you're trying to look at Rashad White as a
47:32desperation RB2 or flex play, especially in full PPR.
47:35Through two games, Seattle ranks third in receptions allowed to running backs, 10th in targets to running backs.
47:40Last season, they ranked first in catches, first in targets to running backs.
47:44I've hit the over on both of my props for running backs against this defense from Andre week one.
47:50Jeremiah Love, I was handholding with you, Welsh, on the prop show.
47:53We got there. We barely got, we squeaked by 15 and a half.
47:57We got there. We squeaked by. And I think it's just going to continue here with Rashad White.
48:02I looked at his prop. It's actually two and a half.
48:05So that's going to be a spoiler. That's going to be one of my best bets on the betting pro show this week.
48:12Take me over. I would have had that. We were both over 500.
48:16So it was a pretty good week. I can't get a touchdown call for life for me, but check it out over on betting pros.
48:23All right, there you go. Those are the RB rings.
48:26Lots to talk about, as you guys can tell.
48:28Drop in the comments below some of your favorite running back plays.
48:32If you got some deeper plays and if you want to check more, check out the ranks.
48:37Fantasy pros.com slash rankings. You can check out ECR.
48:39You can change the formats as well. Full PPR standard, whatever you got.
48:43We've got it there. And check that out as they adjust for making any of your big decisions and also download the
48:49fantasy pros app, whether it is the trade analyzer, the waiver assistant, the lineup optimize.
48:54I mean, everything is there to help you make the right decisions.
48:57And hopefully we can help you do that with the running backs.
49:01That's going to do it for RBs. More ranked shows coming up here.
49:04So make sure you check that out for Andrew Erickson and Pat Fitzmaurice.
49:08I'm Chris Welsh. Thank you guys for hanging out with us.
49:11Good luck in week three. And we'll talk to you next time right here on fantasy pros.
49:16Thanks for listening to the fantasy pros, fantasy football podcast.
49:19If you love the show, the best free way to support us is by leaving a positive review on Apple podcast at
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