Week 2 Fantasy Football RB Rankings (Top 41)

Following Jordan Mason's move to injured reserve, Aaron Jones is expected to see an increased workload. Jir Gibbs projects him for roughly 65% of the work, noting he is not a full bellcow due to injury history and age, but remains a viable starter who should improve with better quarterback play. He is expected to be a top-20 running back, as he looked fine in Week 1 and is not washed; the Vikings' offensive line is improved, and the team is leaning into a more balanced, run-heavy approach.

Bijan Robinson is ranked as the RB2 and placed in the S tier. Despite the Falcons' offensive struggles, Robinson maintains high value due to a 45% target share and his history of success against the Panthers, having scored at least 22.5 fantasy points in each of his last three meetings against them.

Blake Corum serves as the primary backup to Kyren Williams, effectively preventing Williams from reaching a weekly top-five fantasy ceiling. He is also used as a benchmark for ranking other backup running backs, currently placed in a similar tier to Isaac Guerendo.

Braelon Allen is carving out a specific role in the Jets' backfield, handling short-yardage situations and playing on third and fourth-down scenarios, which limits Breece Hall's total snap share.

Breece Hall is not expected to be a 75% snap-share player due to the presence of Braelon Allen, who handles short-yardage and third-down work. However, Hall remains a strong fantasy asset who will catch passes in negative game scripts and is capable of explosive plays.

Ranked as RB17, Bucky Irving is expected to see 15-20 carries against the Browns. Jir Gibbs compares his playstyle to James Cook when healthy and notes that if he secures goal-line work, he has top-15 running back upside.

Akers is locked into a role receiving approximately 15 touches regardless of game script. His fantasy ceiling is tied to his passing game involvement; he has RB12 upside if he catches passes, but projects as an RB21 if he remains strictly a between-the-tackles runner.

Brown is highly valued for his usage, having handled 71% of snaps and ranking as the RB4 in expected points last week. He maintains an 18% target share and is utilized in manufactured touch schemes, making him a reliable fantasy option even when the Bengals' offense struggles.

Christian McCaffrey remains an S-tier fantasy running back despite potential workload management. While Isaac Guerendo is expected to spell him on early downs between the 20s, McCaffrey maintains a dominant 10-of-12 snap share in passing situations and remains the primary goal-line back. The 49ers are 13.5-point favorites against the Dolphins, and McCaffrey's receiving ability is highlighted as a key asset against Miami's defense.

Hubbard is undervalued at RB21 and should be considered a top-24 running back as long as his current backfield split continues. He maintained RB7-level usage in 2024, handled both goal-line attempts in Week 1, and benefits from a strong offensive line and favorable road matchups.

DeAndre Swift is ranked as the RB14 and is viewed as a boom-bust RB2. Despite a 44% rush share since last year due to rotation, he is considered an all-purpose back by the coaching staff. The matchup against the Vikings is challenging for receiving production, but the Bears' 26.5-point projection and reliance on running behind Darnell Wright provide upside. Following his contract extension, acquiring Swift for a first-round pick is considered a winning move, offering better value than rookie prospects like Nicholas Singleton.

David Montgomery remains a significant part of the Lions' rushing attack, having recently scored a touchdown against the Bills while operating alongside Jahmyr Gibbs. Ranked as RB18, he faces a tough Bengals run defense. While he maintains a 50% snap share and high-value touches (five inside the 10-yard line), he struggled with efficiency last week, being hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on 14 of 20 carries.

De'Von Achane is ranked as the RB13 for the week, though he faces a difficult matchup against the 49ers with a low team total of 16 points. While the Dolphins' offense struggled in Week 1, Achane's involvement in the passing game—catching three passes during a fourth-quarter passing script—helps maintain his fantasy floor.

Derrick Henry is an S-tier running back and a first-round fantasy asset. He is coming off a 24-carry performance and leads the league in rush yards over expected, EPA per carry, and yards per carry. Playing alongside Lamar Jackson, he has averaged 106 rushing yards and nearly a touchdown per game over his last 33 games. He is a strong start against a Saints defense that struggled against the run in Week 1, and he was the primary reason the Colts' defense had to change their defensive personnel.

Emari Demercado was recently signed to serve as the backup running back behind the primary starter.

Jahmyr Gibbs is ranked as the RB1 and placed in a tier of his own, significantly above other running backs. He recorded 28.4 expected half-PPR points in Week 1 and consistently outperforms his expected totals. The Lions' offense has improved its rushing success rate to 51.5% (up from 38% in 2025), aided by offensive line changes like Blake Miller at right tackle. Gibbs has historically averaged over 25 fantasy points in games without David Montgomery, and he faces a Bills defense that ranks as the fourth-worst against fantasy running backs since 2025.

James Cook is ranked as the RB8 for Week 2; while he may not lead the league in rushing yards, he remains a high-upside play due to the Bills' high team total and his involvement in the passing game.

Ranked as RB10, Javonte Williams saw 22 routes and six targets in week one, showing positive regression as a receiver. He remains a high-usage back, ranking top 10 in usage last year and RB9 in week one, with a favorable matchup against a Commanders defense that struggled against RBs last season.

Jonathan Taylor is ranked in the S-tier, supported by his status as the RB1/RB2 in overall usage over his last 14 games with Daniel Jones. Despite being a touchdown underdog against the Chiefs, he is expected to remain a focal point of the offense.

Jordan Mason is confirmed to be heading to injured reserve to undergo finger surgery, significantly impacting the backfield depth chart.

Josh Allen has a strong historical track record in Thursday games (8-1) and leads an offense projected for nearly 30 points against the Lions.

Miller's involvement in Week 1, including early-down snaps and goal-line touches inside the 10-yard line, negatively impacts Travis Etienne's fantasy outlook. Miller converted an eight-yard touchdown in his limited but impactful role.

Kenneth Walker III is an S-tier fantasy running back following a dominant Week 1 performance where he finished as the RB3 with over 21 expected half-PPR points. He is expected to maintain a snap share above 60%, a threshold where he historically averages 17.5 fantasy points per game. He benefits from a favorable matchup against a Colts defense that is currently struggling with communication and defensive play-calling.

Ranked as RB12, Williams is a high-floor play projected for around 28 points, which correlates with touchdown potential. He maintains a 75% snap share when the Rams are tied or trailing, and his role in the passing game—specifically on option routes—is a key asset. While Blake Corum limits his weekly top-five ceiling, he remains a reliable starter.

Mike Washington is competing for snaps in the Chargers backfield, but his role is expected to take time to ramp up, if it develops at all, given Genty's strong performance.

Ranked as RB11, Hampton maintains a high carry share (75%) but concerns persist regarding his lack of targets and the poor performance of the interior offensive line. While he possesses physical talent, he needs to improve his involvement in the passing game to maintain his top-12 status.

Ranked as RB23, Stevenson is slightly below consensus because the projection accounts for the expected return of Antonio Gibson, which is anticipated to lead to a backfield split.

Saquon Barkley is ranked as the RB9 for Week 2; despite a poor Week 1 performance due to offensive line issues, he is expected to bounce back against the Titans, with his receiving usage being higher than the box score suggests. Jir Gibbs notes he is a strong candidate for an explosive performance in week two, citing his seven broken tackles in week one and a new running scheme.

Jir Gibbs is monitoring Sean Tucker's health status to determine if he will serve as a goal-line vulture for the Buccaneers, a role that remains uncertain after week one.

Jir Gibbs expresses concern over Etienne's usage, noting he was only RB24 in dropback percentage (39%) in Week 1. His outlook is further negatively impacted by Kendre Miller's involvement in early-down snaps and goal-line touches, alongside a difficult matchup against the Ravens where the team is projected to lose by 8.5 points.