Start Jamaal Williams vs. Miles Sanders vs Najee Harris | Fantasy Football Week 2 RB Start Decision

The NFL’s double Monday night matchup leaves fantasy owners with a few more options in terms of how many available players there are to start. That’s created some questions from owners.

FantasySP’s “Who Should I Start? tool has a few running back decisions trending. Of course, Cleveland Browns’ Nick Cubb is a must-start player, but owners are having a hard time deciding between the top backs from the other three teams. So let’s discuss New Orleans Saints’ Jamaal Williams, Carolina Panthers’ Miles Sanders and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Najee Harris. If you roster two of those guys, or even all three, which one should you be starting tonight?

Tough start decision? We have you covered. Find out in depth stats, red zone opportunities, projections, breaking news, and crowdsourcing real fantasy owners faced with the same start/sit decision. Check out our Who Should I Start tool. 

Why You Should Start Jamaal Williams

I wrote about Williams in another start/sit debate before the Sunday games, but let’s rehash some things.

Williams dominated the running back snaps in week 1. He could again be in line to do so if rookie Kendre Miller misses the game. 

Williams attempted 18 rushes in week 1, gaining just 45 yards. He caught both of his targets for an additional seven yards. Williams was the only Saint to get a red zone rushing attempt, with three in total.

As Kamara continues to miss games because of his suspension, Williams is the clear No. 1 option in New Orleans. I like his fantasy outlook a touch more if Miller is ruled out, but even if Miller is limited, Williams is going to dominate the snaps and touches.

Williams is the highest-ranked back of the three we’re discussing. He’s projected for 21 carries, 66 yards and 0.5 touchdowns, with two targets, 1.7 catches and seven yards as a receiver.

The Saints are battling the Panthers, who allowed 131 yards and two touchdowns on 25 rushing attempts in week 1. Carolina also allowed nine catches on as many targets, 46 yards and a touchdown to running backs in the passing game.

Why You Should Start Miles Sanders

Sanders opened up his tenure with the Panthers with a 72-yard rushing performance in week 1. He attempted 18 runs and also caught four of his six targets for an additional 26 yards as a receiver.

Sanders was on the field for 44 snaps, 16 more than fellow RB Chuba Hubbard. The No. 2 option got 60 rushing yards on nine attempts. Both backs got two carries in the red zone.

Sanders will be going up against a Saints’ defense that allowed 90 rushing yards on 18 attempts in the opener. Opposing backs caught three of seven targets for 57 additional yards.

The Panthers’ offense is fairly healthy going into week 2. One thing to note is wide receiver DJ Chark might return to the lineup, so that’s another mouth to feed offensively.

Sanders was ranked a couple spots behind Williams in the week 2 projections. Sanders is projected at 16 carries 72 yards and 0.3 touchdowns as a rusher and four targets, 2.6 catches and 15 yards as a receiver.

Why You Should Start Najee Harris

Harris was not utilized all that much in the Steelers’ lopsided loss to the San Francisco 49ers in week 1. Harris received just six carries, going for 31 yards. He caught two passes, but those went for only two yards.

Harris played 33 offensive snaps, while Jaylen Warren saw the field for 25 snaps. Warren got three rushing attempts and hauled in five receptions on six targets for 12 yards.

Another RB option in Anthony McFarland is out for week 2, as is receiver Diontae Johnson. Pittsburgh is fairly healthy offensively otherwise.

The Steelers are going to be facing a Browns’ defense that was strong in week 1. Cleveland allowed 75 rushing yards on 17 attempts and saw opposing backs catch four of six targets for an additional 16 yards.

Harris is the lowest-ranked back in this three-player discussion. He’s projected at 15 carries, 59 yards and 0.4 touchdowns, with an additional three targets, two catches, 11 yards and 0.1 touchdowns as a receiver.

Final Numbers and the Recommended Start

Despite what our rankings say, it’s not Williams that fantasy owners are most-often starting. In cases where Williams and Sanders are on the same roster, owners are starting Sanders about 33% of the time and Williams just 10%. Owners with Williams and Harris are starting Harris about 27% of the time to just 12% for Williams. The battle between Harris and Sanders is much closer, with Harris starting 18% of the time and Sanders 13% of the time.

Most fantasy owners are more often actually starting two of the backs. Harris and Sanders are both being started 63% of the time, while Sanders and Williams are being started together 46% of the time and Harris and Williams starting 51% of the time.

Despite what most owners are doing, I would actually prefer Williams over both Harris and Sanders. Williams’ matchup and probable usage are just too tempting to pass on.

When it comes to choosing between Harris and Sanders, it’s a close battle for me. Harris is the only player to have played for his respective team in the past, so there’s some history we can turn to for reference. Last year, Harris rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 38 total carries between the two games against the Browns, and those numbers are strong enough for me to take Harris over Sanders.

However, I also believe Sanders is in for a strong night from a fantasy perspective. So, if you roster Sanders along with Williams or Harris, I would also be in favor of starting Sanders.

I don’t really think you can go wrong here. All three backs should put together respectable fantasy showings.

#najee-harris #jamaal-williams #miles-sanders