Week 1 Running Back Preview: Barkley Bounce Back Begins Now
Top 50 Fantasy RBs for Week 1
Let's dig into the reasons you should -- or shouldn't -- play these guys ...
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1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs was already heading toward the season as our top-ranked RB. No matter how the RB2 picture plays out, we'll be looking at something less than David Montgomery. That only helps the touch floor and potential ceiling for this stud.
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Played Thursday night
3. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s QB situation isn’t ideal, and neither is the road matchup with Pittsburgh’s deep front seven. But you know what you’re getting with Robinson: An elite workload and plenty of passing-game volume. He also posted a career-high 22.0 PPR points per game last season, good for second league-wide.
4. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Taylor led the league last season with 20 TDs and looked strong through the first half of the year. Taylor went over 20 points in six of his first eight games. He fell off in the five games Daniel Jones missed, averaging 9 fewer fantasy points per game over that span. Jones’ return makes Taylor a must-start every week.
5. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Remember the rough season Barkley had (by his own high standards) last year? Well he still managed to rack up a 21-132-1 rushing line in his lone meeting with the Commanders.
6. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Vegas did a solid job preventing big plays last season, allowing an 8.2% explosive-play rate that ranked eighth-best. That challenges Achane’s biggest strength after he led the league in explosive run rate in 2025, but it shouldn’t lower expectations for Miami’s offensive centerpiece. Achane remains an RB1 regardless of matchup.
7. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
We have some longer-term concerns about Hampton's role, but Keaton Mitchell is banged up and might not even play in Week 1. That should set Hampton up for plenty of volume with his Chargers favored by 10.5 vs. the Cardinals on Sunday. Expect him to get off to a hot start.
8. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
The Texans limited QB Josh Allen in their two meetings over the last two seasons, but Cook ripped off 20-82-1 and 17-116-1 rushing lines. Expect him to be the focal point of Buffalo's attack in Sunday's opener in Houston.
9. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Henry finished seventh among RBs in PPR points per game last season (16.6). He has now produced 10+ TDs in eight straight NFL seasons and there doesn’t appear to be any drop off as he heads into his age-32 season. The Ravens did lose C Tyler Linderbaum, but the environment remains strong for Henry. The Colts ranked just 15th in run-defense DVOA last season.
10. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow recently discussed the importance of getting Brown touches, and this matchup sets up well for it. Tampa Bay allowed the league’s most receiving yards to RBs last season, while Cincinnati carries a healthy 27-point implied total. Brown belongs in RB1 territory.
11. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
Expect the Chiefs to lean on Walker on Monday night in QB Patrick Mahomes' first game since last December's multi-ligament knee injury. The matchup is tough against a Broncos defense that ranked fifth in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs last year. But volume should carry Walker to a nice fantasy outing. The Chiefs are 3-point favorites.
12. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Williams was responsible for 57.6% of the team's rush attempts and 64.9% of their rushing touchdowns in his first season with the Cowboys. Expect him to repeat that workload in an offense that should once again rank among the league’s highest-scoring units.
13. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Jeanty has returned to full practices, putting him on track to face Miami. The ankle sprain and emergence of rookie Mike Washington Jr. create some workload uncertainty, but the matchup helps. Miami’s defensive front is particularly thin after losing DL Kenneth Grant to IR. Jeanty projects on the RB1/2 fringe.
14. Breece Hall, New York Jets
Hall ranked a decent 16th among RBs in carry share last year, but his target share tumbled to 25th thanks primarily to Justin Fields. Geno Smith’s arrival should improve that area and raise Hall’s floor, especially in PPR. If the offensive efficiency improves around him -- with new OC Frank Reich -- Hall will present a vaulted ceiling as well. He starts just outside RB1 territory in our rankings but could easily finish higher against a Titans defense that’s been soft for a while.
15. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Played Thursday night
16. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Played Wednesday night
17. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Swift benefitted from Ben Johnson joining the team as a HC last year. Swift had his best yards per touch (5.4) since 2022 and led the league in runs that gain more yards than expected (48.6%). Rookie Kyle Monangai took some touches from Swift, but Monangai has been dealing with a hyperextended right knee. That should mean plenty of volume for Swift against a Panthers run defense that ranked 23rd in run DVOA last season.
18. Travis Etienne, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara might be ready to return from his MCL sprain after opening the week as a limited practice participant, but he's likely short of full strength. And even full-strength Kamara wasn't very good last year. The knee issue should enhance Etienne's Week 1 workload. Heading to Detroit as a 7-point favorite could hurt the rushing volume, though.
19. Cameron Skattebo, New York Giants
Skattebo managed a 42.0% carry share and a 12.9% target share as a rookie before suffering a tibia fracture that ended his season in October. There is plenty of reason for optimism in his second season, but between the return from injury, added backfield counterparts, and unpredictability of the new-look Giants offense, Skattebo projects as a middling RB2 to open the season.
20. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving is back to full health after shoulder surgery and should remain Tampa Bay’s primary runner. Kenneth Gainwell adds competition for passing-down and change-of-pace snaps, while Cincinnati’s front seven looks improved after adding DL Dexter Lawrence. Still, Irving’s projected workload of nearly 16 touches keeps him in RB2 range.
21. David Montgomery, Houston Texans
We're tentatively projecting Montgomery to handle about two-thirds of the work before Sunday provides his first actual look with the new team. Houston gets a plus matchup against a Bills defense that finished 25th against RBs last year.
22. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Warren sits atop Pittsburgh’s official depth chart, but he’s expected to split work fairly evenly in new HC Mike McCarthy’s offense. Warren gets the edge in fantasy as the better-projected receiving contributor. The matchup helps both Steelers backs, with Atlanta already looking like one of the league’s weaker defenses and missing recent first-round edge players Jalon Walker (ACL tear) and James Pearce Jr. (suspension).
23. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals
We'll keep a close eye on Love's status heading into the opener as he works back from his high-ankle sprain. If he plays, we'd expect his volume to be scaled back at least a little. But his pass-catching ability could be key with his Cardinals 10.5-point underdogs to the Chargers.
24. Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dowdle joined the Steelers on a two-year deal after posting his second-straight 1,000-yard season in 2025. We project him to lead the backfield in carries vs. the Falcons, albeit with a narrow 12.8-10.9 lead over Jaylen Warren. The good news: Atlanta profiles as one of the league’s worst run defenses, so both guys could deliver RB2-level value. Pittsburgh is implied for 22.75 points as 3.5-point home favorites.
25. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
Lloyd will be the starting RB for the Packers with Josh Jacobs remaining on the commissioner’s exempt list. Lloyd has only played one game and 10 total snaps in his two-year career. He has the athletic ability and a 4.46-second 40 time. He had strong camp buzz but may split with Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson somewhat. There’s upside if Lloyd snatches a leading workload, but there’s also risk in facing a Vikings defense that ranked second-toughest on RBs last year by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.
26. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Tuten looks like the best bet to lead Jacksonville in touches. The limiting question to open the year, though, is just what that touch share will look like. Jacksonville's ninth-highest implied team total for the week helps the offensive outlook in a game that finds the Jags favored by 8.5. That makes Tuten a sensible, low-end RB2. Just be careful about trusting him beyond that immediately.
27. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Hubbard started last year hot, scoring 18+ fantasy points in each of the first two games. But he would only hit double-digit PPR points one more time. Rico Dowdle’s gone now, but Jonathon Brooks presents a new challenge. Brooks has been dealing with some leg soreness, so we could see more Hubbard in Week 1. The Bears ranked 24th in run DVOA last season, which at least makes for a positive matchup if Hubbard gets the touches.
28. Jadarian Price, Seattle Seahawks
Played Wednesday night
29. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Judkins gets a tough spot to open the season. Jacksonville heads into Sunday as an 8.5-point favorite, with a run defense that ranked fourth-best in DVOA last season. If Judkins also concedes meaningful receiving work to Dylan Sampson, he'll really struggle to return fantasy value.
30. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Pollard has accounted for at least a 60% carry share each of the past two seasons for the Titans, but he also finished just 22nd and then 30th among RBs in PPR points per game. The Tennessee offense hasn’t generated much positive buzz this summer, and Tyjae Spears might be ready to challenge Pollard’s workload more than he did the past two years. Pollard projects no more than an RB3 this week.
31. Kenneth Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The matchup works in Gainwell’s favor after Cincinnati ranked fourth-worst in receiving yards allowed to RBs last season. His 73-catch campaign with Pittsburgh shows he can capitalize on passing-game work, and a few targets should be there on Sunday. Just note: Bucky Irving still projects as the backfield’s primary runner, and that limits Gainwell’s appeal as a Week 1 flex.
32. Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
Mason looks poised to take over the rushing lead after trailing Aaron Jones 11.0 to 9.9 in carries per game last season. The Vikings are implementing a new outside-zone running scheme that should benefit Mason. He has averaged 5.6 yards per carry on outside-zone runs in his career vs. 4.7 on other rushing concepts. Last year's Packers ranked 31st in EPA per play allowed on zone runs, so this is a good spot for Mason as an RB3.
33. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Dobbins should easily lead Denver in carries in Monday night's opener. But he'll cede pass-catching work to RJ Harvey. And the spot is tough on the road against the Chiefs, who ranked seventh against RBs last year. The Broncos are 3.0-point underdogs with a substandard 20.25-point implied total.
34. Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
Brooks got the offseason hope but will still split time with Chuba Hubbard early in the season. Brooks’ explosive-play potential will always carry upside, but the lower-body “soreness” that limited his practice time this week adds some risk. The Bears ranked 24th in run DVOA last season, so the positive matchup adds appeal if you need an option from low-RB3 range of the rankings.
35. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
We've got JCM projected to lead Washington in rushing work but trail Rachaad White in receiving. If that's how Week 1 plays out, he'll have a difficult path to meaningful fantasy production as a 4.5-point road underdog.
36. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
The hope with Spears the past few seasons was that he could be hyper-efficient with what's been a limited workload. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case up to this point. Spears sits higher in our Week 1 rankings than he did in ADP primarily because he split time evenly with Tony Pollard in their two shared preseason games. We’ll see exactly how things work out in the regular season.
37. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Played Thursday night
38. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
We're expecting Harvey to trail J.K. Dobbins in carries on Monday night, but he should lead the backfield in targets. That could be more important than usual with the Broncos 3.0-point underdogs to the Chiefs. Harvey is in play as a low-end RB3 or flex in PPR leagues.
39. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Jones had a poor season last year with 747 yards and 3 TDs. He had his worst yards after contact per rush (2.67) of his career. Jones figures to be more of the receiving third-down back this year while Jordan Mason takes the rushing lead. Last year's Packers ranked 31st in EPA per play allowed on zone runs, which plays to Minnesota’s scheme shift to more outside-zone runs and boosts the matchup upside.
40. Woody Marks, Houston Texans
The reporting on Marks' role was mixed this summer, ranging from clear No. 2 to 50/50 split with David Montgomery. That uncertainty makes him a risky Week 1 start, although the matchup is good vs. a Bills defense that finished 25th against RBs last year.
41. Rachaad White, Washington Commanders
We're opening the year expecting White to trail Jacory Croskey-Merritt in rushing opportunties and production but lead him on the receiving side. If White doesn't at least pace Washington in that area, he might be tough to keep rostered. Of course, the combo falls well short of making him attractive against a Philly defense likely to remain tough.
42. Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Monangai ranked 47th in PPR points per game last season but showed some promise as a late-round rookie pick. He had six weeks with double-digit fantasy points for the season. Monangai has been recovering from a hyperextended right knee, so he could see decreased usage in Week 1.
43. Chris Rodriguez, Jacksonville Jaguars
Rodriguez arrived in Jacksonville as a run-only RB who played for HC Liam Coen for a year at Kentucky. His mere 6 career receptions and the time share with Bhayshul Tuten makes it tough to project Rodriguez into usable range for Week 1. But he garnered some late-summer praise for his pass protection, and we'll see how the playing time and opportunities get split now that we're finally to the real games. Keep Rodriguez stashed while the situation reveals itself.
44. Keaton Mitchell, Los Angeles Chargers
Mitchell is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is iffy for Sunday's opener vs. the Cardinals. He could emerge as a RB3 or flex option later this season, but Week 1 doesn't feel like the time to take that gamble.
45. Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders
There’s an opening for Washington to push for 10 touches after a preseason in which he rushed for 168 yards on just 23 attempts. Ashton Jeanty’s has returned to full practice this week but is coming off an ankle sprain. That could help Washington’s Week 1 workload as well. Still, you should try not to use this rookie and his unknown touch outlook if you can help it.
46. Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner is on IR, and Jeremiyah Love is iffy for the opener with his high-ankle sprain. That could leave Allgeier in a bigger role than expected, although game script still figures to work against him. The Cardinals are 10.5 points underdogs to the Chargers. Allgeier will only be startable if Love is inactive.
47. George Holani, Seattle Seahawks
Played Wednesday night
48. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
Sampson heads toward the season looking like Cleveland's best backfield receiving bet after leading Quinshon Judkins by 0.3 receptions per game and 1.6 yards per catch last year. If his receiving lead holds under the new coaching staff, Sampson could see increased use in a game that finds his team an 8.5-point underdog. That's not enough to make Sampson worth lineup consideration for most fantasy leagues, though.
49. Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Hill provides a change of pace for the Ravens under new OC Declan Doyle. He could see a few targets and be a high-end RB5 in PPR leagues but won’t make much sense for most fantasy lineups as long as Derrick Henry’s healthy.
50. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
Atlanta let Tyler Allgeier walk in free agency, replaced the coaching staff, and signed Robinson to a modest one-year contract. We’re betting he finds his role at least a little smaller than what Allgeier left behind, which means nothing attractive for fantasy lineups.
