2023 Fantasy Football Week 2: Start Em’ or Sit Em’ Running Backs

Each week we’ll break down one player that should start in your fantasy lineup and one that would be better left on the bench per position. There are players like Christian McCaffrrey and Saquon Barkley who are matchup proof and should be in your starting lineups every week barring a major circumstance.

Running Backs to Start:

Rhamondre Stevenson

To the Chargers, the Dolphins gave up the most rushing yards in the league in week 1 with a whopping 233 rushing yards allowed. This is good news for the Patriots backfield and specifically lead back Rhamondre Stevenson. We like both Ezekiel Elliott and Stevenson as potential starters, but giving the edge to Stevenson as he should also operate as a dual threat for quarterback Mac Jones giving him another option to throw to. 

Miles Sanders

Bryce Young had a tough week 1 and has a lot to learn from his performance. He’s not going to be able to turn that around overnight and it’s going to be a process. We expect the offense to lean heavier on Miles Sanders as a result. 

James Cook

Against a tough Jets defense in week 1, James Cook still managed over 10 fantasy points. Against a Raiders team that isn’t great, James Cook is a great option at flex in week 2. 

Running Backs to Sit:

Cam Akers

The Cam Akers rollercoaster continues as we don’t know if he is going to break out for 100 plus yards or end up being benched. We unfortunately think it’s going to be the latter and Kyren Williams is going to take over as the lead back in Los Angeles. 

Najee Harris

The Steelers offense was abysmal against the San Francisco 49ers and now they play a Browns defense that just shut down Joe Burrow. We think the Steelers offense will fare better against the Browns, but it will be as a result of Kenny Pickett and not the running game. 

Raheem Mostert 

The Miami Dolphins face the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football in what’s set to be a thriller of a game. This is going to be a tough defense and we’re not sure how the fire-power Dolphins offense will perform. We think the passing game can still succeed, but Mostert and the run attack are going to have a tough go around.