2024 Fantasy Football Week 3: Start or Sit Running Backs: The Chiefs Dilemma

Each week we’ll break down running backs that should start in your fantasy lineup and running backs that would be better left on your bench. There are just a few players like Breece Hall who are matchup proof and should be in your starting lineups every week barring a major circumstance.

Running Backs to Start in Week 3:

Brian Robinson Jr

With the Commanders bringing Austin Ekeler into the picture, it looked like Brian Robinson Jr was going to take a step back, but this just gave him more motivation to work harder to keep his job. So far it has paid off as he’s taken 75% of the carries between the running backs and is even playing a role in the passing game which Ekeler has dominated for years. Brian Robinson Jr has a favorable matchup against the Bengals on Monday Night as the Bengals have been sloppy stopping the run defense, even allowing the Patriots to have a massive game on the ground in week 1.

Zach Charbonnet

With Kenneth Walker likely to miss another week of action, Charbonnet steps forward as the lead back in this offense. In last week’s game, Charbonnet was the only running back on the team to get any touches and played the vast majority of the offensive snaps. Charbonnet should expect a large role again and probably even larger than last week against a Dolphins team that got lit up by Bills running back James Cook.

Jordan Mason

With CMC out, Deebo out, and George Kittle trending towards being out, the 49ers offense is going to be slim pickings. Jordan Mason has done well stepping up to the plate in CMC’s absence, but will need to lift some more weight with Kittle likely out as well. Purdy’s going to rely on the back even more and we expect him to be utilized in the passing game against the Rams this weekend. Mason is a must start with a heavy workload expected. 

Running Backs to Sit in Week 3:

D’Andre Swift

The entire Bears offense has been a bit of a joke this season and Caleb Williams is just trying to avoid the bust label. New running back D’Andre Swift looked to be a nice addition but hasn’t done much with the poor offensive line. He’s managed 24 carries which is a normal workload through 2 games but for a mere 48 yards. Take out a 20 yard run, that’s 23 carries for a pathetic 28 yards. Swift is unstartable until this offense can get their act together and we’re not sure if that is going to happen anytime soon. 

Najee Harris

In a surprise battle of the unbeatens, the Steelers face off against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Steelers offense hasn’t been stellar, but they haven’t needed to be. In a game against the Chargers, they need to do better than what they have been and need to turn to the passing game more. In the passing game, Jaylen Warren and not Najee Harris is the main option as a receiving back. Warren also cut into Najee’s snap count in week 2, despite Najee still finishing as the lead back. We expect Warren to continue to cut into that count, especially if it means more passing plays where Warren is more versatile. 

Carson Steele & Samaje Perine

With Isiah Pacheco landing on the IR & Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the non-football injury list, the Chiefs are turning to undrafted rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine to take over running back duties. The Chiefs did add Kareem Hunt back for a reunion, but are unlikely to activate him from the practice squad in time for the game this weekend against Atlanta. With the uncertainty around what role that both Steele & Perine will play without Pacheco, both need to be left on your bench until we get more clarity. The risk is too high when there are too many startable options out there like Jerome Ford, Zack Moss, or Zamir White that you should turn to if you’re in a pinch.