Ranking Every Week 1 Running Back as a Sit or Start

Aaron Jones is considered a shaky flex start due to a split backfield with Jordan Mason. The source compares his role to Jaylen Warren, noting his pass-catching and elusive skill set.

Alvin Kamara is very likely to miss the upcoming game due to injury.

Blake Corum is a shaky flex option projected for 9.5 rushing attempts and +150 to score a touchdown. He is considered less desirable than Jidarian Price and is used as a benchmark for the 'shaky flex' tier, where J.K. Dobbins is preferred.

Breece Hall is the confirmed starter for the New York Jets and is categorized as a 'must-start' for Week 1. The source projects him as a bellcow for at least the first two months of the season, citing a favorable game plan against the Titans that emphasizes feeding him the ball, with an 82-yard projection for the game despite the low 39.5-point total.

Bucky Irving is a 'feels good' play for Week 1 against Cincinnati, with a projected 72 total yards in a high-scoring game environment.

The source considers Cam Akers a start for Week 1 due to a favorable matchup against Dallas, noting he is in the 'feels good' category. Vegas projections align with this, setting his total yards at 65 and his anytime touchdown odds at -105, indicating he is favored to score.

Christian McCaffrey is a must-start fantasy running back.

D'Andre Swift is a must-start for Week 1, especially if Khalil Herbert is inactive. He is projected for 84 total yards and has a strong reception floor (2.5 line); no other Chicago running backs, including Roshan Johnson, are expected to threaten his bellcow workload.

DeAndre Swift is a must-start running back projected for 84 total yards and a strong reception floor (2.5 line), with significant touchdown upside if Kyle Manungai is inactive.

David Montgomery is expected to serve as the early-down thumper and goal-line back for Houston, though the source warns against expecting a 90% bellcow workload, projecting a split role with Woody Marks.

Devon Achane is a 'must start' for Week 1; despite off-season concerns, he is expected to be the workhorse in an offense that will run through him.

J.K. Dobbins is expected to be the primary back in his backfield, but the source classifies him as a 'shaky flex' for Week 1 due to a tough matchup and uncertainty regarding the roles of Jonah Coleman and R.J. Harvey. His touchdown odds are viewed as 'criminally low' at +180.

Jidarian Price is a 'dub flex' option expected to handle the majority of early-down touches for Seattle. He is projected for 60 total yards and has +120 odds to score a touchdown, making him a viable flex start and a better option than George Fani.

Jahmyr Gibbs is ranked as a must-start running back for Week 1, benefiting from a high-scoring environment in a dome game.

Jaylen McMillan is currently banged up, contributing to broader injury concerns within the Tampa Bay wide receiver group that may force the team to lean on running backs for pass-catching duties.

Despite a scary matchup against Houston, the source advises not to bench James Cook, citing his history of strong fantasy performances against them. Additionally, with Ty Johnson sidelined, Cook could see increased reception volume, potentially catching four to five passes per game; the source likes his reception line at 2.5.

The source projects Javonte Williams to play a high volume of snaps, making him a strong start for Week 1.

The source prefers Jaylen Warren over Rico Dowdle for Week 1, noting that Warren fits the offensive scheme and play-calling style better. Despite Dowdle potentially seeing more total volume, Vegas props favor Warren in the passing game with 2.5 projected receptions compared to Dowdle's 1.5. Warren is recommended as a 'dub flex' play in PPR formats.

Jeremiah Love's Week 1 status is uncertain due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the open portion of practice. If he plays, he is considered a 'dub flex' option, though the source expects the team to ease him back into a split-time role with Tyler Allgeier.

The source questions whether Jonah Coleman will have a significant role in the backfield rotation alongside J.K. Dobbins, leaving his fantasy utility uncertain for Week 1.

Jonathan Brooks is a shaky flex option for Week 1, as the team is expected to utilize a committee backfield for at least the first half of the season; he is unlikely to see a workhorse role until after Week 4 or 6.

The source views Jordan Mason as a shaky flex start due to an expected split backfield with Aaron Jones, though camp reports suggest Mason may be the primary guy. He is compared to Rico Dowdle in terms of role and is used as a benchmark for the 'shaky flex' tier, where J.K. Dobbins is preferred over him.

Kenneth Gainwell is a 'dub flex' option for Week 1; the team is expected to force usage for him early, and injuries to the wide receiver corps (including Jaylen McMillan and Acha Ibuka) may force the team to lean on running backs for pass-catching duties.

The source identifies Kenneth Walker III as the new workhorse in Kansas City, ranking him around RB15. Despite a tough matchup against Denver, he is a must-start player expected to receive heavy volume and as much work as he can handle.

Khalil Herbert has missed significant time due to a knee hyperextension, making his Week 1 status uncertain; if he suits up, he is considered a shaky flex option.

Kimani Vidal is projected to play 20-30% of snaps. The source suggests he could be a 'shaky flex' option if Keaton Mitchell misses time, noting the Chargers' favorable game script as 10-point favorites.

With Josh Jacobs out, the source expects MarShawn Lloyd to handle a near-bellcow role, including goal-line work and the majority of early-down dump-offs and catches. He is a confident start for Week 1, with Vegas projecting him for 63 total yards.

Mike Washington is a 'shaky flex' option if Zamir White plays, but becomes a 'no-brainer' start in the 'feels good' category if White is ruled out.

The Chargers are expected to feature Omarian Hampton, with his snap floor bolstered by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Keaton Mitchell's health.

Rachaad White is viewed as a shaky flex option due to an uncertain split backfield with Bucky Irving (JCM). The source notes he might be more viable in full PPR formats.

Rhamondre Stevenson is the clear starter for New England and is expected to see a healthy volume of touches and pass-catching work, placing him in the 'feels good' tier despite a tough matchup against Seattle's elite run defense. His line of 80 total yards is trending upward, and he is considered on par with Breece Hall for Week 1 projections.

The source views the backfield as a 1A/1B committee between Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren. While Dowdle is projected to have more volume by the end of the year, the source advises against strong Week 1 takes. Vegas props give Dowdle the rushing edge with 12.5 attempts and 50.5 yards compared to Warren's 9.5 attempts and 40.5 yards. He is considered a 'dub flex' or 'shaky flex' option, with value increasing in half-PPR or standard scoring formats.

The source classifies R.J. Harvey as a 'shaky flex' option for Week 1, noting that his specific role in the backfield rotation is currently uncertain.

Travis Etienne is placed in the 'feels good' category for Week 1, as he is drafted specifically for high-flying, high-volume offensive matchups.

Ty Johnson has not practiced since early August due to a serious lower-body injury. His continued absence impacts the Bills' third-down backfield role and may lead to increased reception opportunities for James Cook, who could see four to five catches per game while Johnson is sidelined.

Tyjae Spears is expected to be 'uncomfortably involved' in a 1A/1B committee with Tony Pollard. The source anticipates his role will grow as the season progresses but notes he will be splitting snaps in the immediate term.

Tyler Allgeier is currently a 'shaky flex' play, expected to split time with Jeremiah Love. If Love misses the game, Allgeier could potentially move to the 'feels good' category if he assumes a bellcow role, though the source notes he faces a tough game script.

The source is awaiting updates on Zamir White's ankle injury; if he plays, he is considered a 'feels good' category start due to a favorable matchup against Miami.