Start or Sit: Week 2 Fantasy Football Running Backs

With week 2 quickly approaching, we’ll break down which running backs you should have in your starting lineup and which would be better left on your bench. We intentionally exclude players such as Christian McCaffery and Dalvin Cook as they should be in your starting lineup every week. 

Running Backs to Start in Week 2:

Melvin Gordon – Denver Broncos

The Broncos are in a weird limbo with an uncertain future ahead of them. Gordon is the lead back for the time being until rookie Javonte Williams takes over. As Gordon is still the lead back, he should be taking the bulk of the carries this weekend against Jacksonville. Most teams playing Jacksonville should look to start the running backs on that team, especially after the beatdown they received by the lowly division rival in the Texans. 

Chris Carson – Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are finally grooving with their offense they have built. Wilson is a MVP candidate with Lockett and Metcalf while Carson is one of the most underappreciated players in the NFL. Carson looked solid against a good Colts defense and we can only imagine what this Seahawks offense can do against a Titans team that just lost badly against the Cardinals. Carson is a must start this week. 

David Montgomery – Chicago Bears

David Montgomery is in for a tough season of opponents which hurts his fantasy value for the season, but we love this matchup against the Bengals. The Bengals are still rebuilding their defense which is going to take a few seasons. The Bengals surprisingly did not allow Dalvin Cook to go absolutely crazy, but he did have a fairly strong week 1. Montgomery is a sleeper contender for best value in fantasy. 

Running Backs to Sit in Week 2:

Myles Gaskin – Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have a tough matchup looming against the Buffalo Bills. Gaskin was worth starting at the flex in week 1, but in week 2 against a team that just derailed Najee Harris first career game, we don’t expect much out of the Dolphins running game. The Dolphins will primarily be playing catch up during this game which will hurt their chances of getting carries. 

Elijah Mitchell & Ty’Son Williams- San Francisco 49ers & Baltimore Ravens

We looped both of these young running backs together as both are the hottest waiver wire pickups for stepping up the plate when veterans went down. Both running backs are facing much tougher matchups in week 2 facing Philadelphia and Kansas City respectively. Both teams will be scripted by the passing game as they are set to be high scoring which will diminish the running game, especially with two inexperienced running backs leading the teams. 

D’Andre Swift – Detroit Lions

The Packers did just lose 38-3, but this did not necessarily help the rushing game. Alvin Kamara still was a factor but more so as a receiving threat than on the ground. Swift does not possess the same skills as Kamara to contribute in the passing game as well. We don’t expect the Packers to get blown out by a team like the Lions and expect a bounceback which is not good for fantasy owners expecting much out of Swift or any Lions players for that matter.