Week 2 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings: Chase Brown and James Cook in the Top 10
Morgan gives his week 2 fantasy football rankings for running backs.
Let's wrap up my week 2 rankings by looking at the running back position.
We'll rank the top-30 running backs from a PPR perspective. We already looked at quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends.
Check out week 2 fantasy football projections for running backs on FantasySP as well.
He was banged up going into week 1, but that didn't stop the Niners from giving McCaffrey a ton of touches. He responded with a monster fantasy showing.
CMC should be involved heavily in week 2 against the Saints, especially with George Kittle out and several other Niners banged up.
Oh, and the matchup against the Saints is also pretty favorable, as if you needed more reason to take him first.
2. Chase Brown
I like the Bengals' offense to bounce back in week 2, and Brown will be one of the guys who stars on offense.
He scored in week 1 to deliver a solid fantasy score. The Jaguars gave up over 100 total yards and a score to backs in week 1, and with Brown as the workhorse, that'd be a big fantasy showing for him.
I don't love Barkley's matchup against the Chiefs this week, but him getting involved as a pass catcher could lead to a big PPR score still.
Barkley is never a bad option, even coming off a so-so game and facing a tough defense.
Williams had an OK showing in week 1, but has a nice matchup against the Titans awaiting in week 2.
Tennessee allowed backs to rush for 133 yards and a score, while catching six passes for 24 yards. As the Rams' workhorse, I see Williams excelling this week.
This seems low for Robinson, but Minnesota was stout against RBs last week, so it's a tougher challenge for Bijan.
Robinson can overcome any matchup though, so a top-five finish against anyone is still possible.
6. Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs was a good PPR fantasy asset in week 1, even though he didn't put up a ton of yards.
He has a test against the Bears in week 2. Chicago allowed over 140 total yards and a score to backs in week 1, so Gibbs should be in store for a big-time outing.
Achane has an OK matchup against the Patriots in week 2. They allowed just 48 yards and a score to backs in week 1.
Achane didn't do a bunch in week 1, but he still found the end zone. He should be involved enough to deliver a good score, even if Miami gets routed again.
I hate betting against Henry, but a test against the Browns looks a bit more challenging for the King.
He was awesome in week 1, and can go off against anyone. I'm just ranking him here in case the Browns' defense is legit and keeps him in check.
9. James Cook
There's some really good backs left to choose from yet, but I like Cook against the Jets more for week 2.
He was involved as a runner and pass catcher in week 1, and had over 100 yards, plus a score. New York allowed 80 total yards and a score in week 1, and I think Cook will deliver more than that this week.
10. Josh Jacobs
I was a bit skeptical of Jacobs in week 1, and although I moved him up for week 2, I'm still not all-in on him.
He scored to salvage an otherwise uninspiring week 1 outing. A test against the Commanders on Thursday night is not the easiest, but I think he'll fare a lot better than he did in week 1, and outproduce what the Giants' backs did by plenty.
11. Bucky Irving
Irving dropped from No. 5 in week 1 to No. 11 this week. He has the Texans in week 2.
Houston allowed 85 total yards and a score to backs last week, and I think Irving could be even better this week.
12. Chuba Hubbard
Some might say I'm overrating Hubbard again, but he delivered plenty last week, and could again this week against Arizona.
The Cardinals gave up 90 total yards and a score to backs in week 1, and that sets Hubbard up pretty well for week 2.
13. Ashton Jeanty
The rookie back has the Chargers in week 2. Jeanty's workload and usage was stellar in week 1, and I think that'll help him to a big week 2 showing.
He'd rank much higher if the matchup wasn't so tough. If Vegas can keep this game close though, I expect Jeanty to have himself a day.
14. Jonathan Taylor
He drops a full 10 spots from his week 1 ranking.
He has a tough test against the Broncos in week 2. Denver still allowed 91 total yards to backs, so the Indy workhorse should deliver plenty of fantasy points.
15. James Conner
Conner might deserve a higher ranking, but after an underwhelming week 1, this is where I'd feel most comfortable taking him.
He takes on the Panthers, who were gashed for 190 total yards, but no scores, in week 1.
16. Alvin Kamara
I don't love his matchup against the Niners, but I trust Kamara more than anyone else left.
San Fran allowed 71 total yards and a score to backs last week, and that's enough to put Kamara here.
17. Breece Hall
Hall was good in week 1, and his matchup is as good as it gets based on week 1 results, but I just don't trust the Jets' offense fully yet.
Buffalo allowed 176 total yards and two scores to backs in week 1, but Hall isn't Henry, and that means Hall falls to No. 17 for me.
18. Omarion Hampton
Hampton gets the No. 18 spot for a second straight week.
He underwhelmed in his debut game, but I have faith in him moving forward. I see him delivering a good fantasy showing against the Raiders this week.
19. Travis Etienne Jr.
Etienne had a big week 1, then had some of his competition traded away.
His fantasy outlook is up, and a matchup against the Bengals should mean more big numbers. Until I see him deliver again, this is where I'm most comfortable taking him.
20. Tony Pollard
Pollard has a tougher clash against the Rams looming.
He got so much of the backfield workload last week, that on volume alone, Pollard should be a good starting option for fantasy owners.
21. Jaylen Warren
Warren got 13 touches in week 1, and I could see him getting more in a clash against Seattle this week.
He might lose snaps and touches to other RBs, but after Seattle allowed over 200 total yards to backs last week, I think most standard league owners who roster Warren should be starting him.
22. Javonte Williams
Williams surprised in week 1, and now has a favorable matchup against the Giants awaiting.
New York allowed backs to go for 164 total yards and a touchdown in week 1.
23. D'Andre Swift
Swift was an absolute workhorse for the Bears in week 1.
If Roschon Johnson is out again, I'd expect a similar thing to transpire against the Lions this coming week. Detroit allowed 77 total yards and a score to backs in week 1.
24. Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco was held in check in week 1, but a test against the Eagles doesn't look too bad for him.
Philly allowed over 100 total yards and two scores to backs in week 1.
25. Nick Chubb
Chubb was solid in week 1, and gets a nice matchup against the Buccaneers next.
Tampa Bay allowed nearly 150 total yards and a score to backs last week.
26. Zach Charbonnet
Kenneth Walker III is completely out of my top 30, and Charbonnet gets a top-30 spot headed into a great matchup against the Steelers.
Pittsburgh gave up over 150 total yards and a score to backs in week 1. I expect the usage to continue from week 1, and Charbonnet to outproduce Walker again.
27. Aaron Jones Sr.
Jones lost carries to his backfield partner in week 1, but added enough as a receiver to post a good PPR score.
A matchup against Atlanta is a chance for Jones to keep things rolling to start the season.
28. David Montgomery
Montgomery was slowed by Green Bay in week 1, but I think he and the Lions' offense gets rolling this week.
The Bears allowed two backs to deliver good fantasy scores last week, and I'm counting on the same thing happening this week.
Henderson was underwhelming in his first game, but he has a chance to get rolling against Miami this week.
Miami allowed over 130 total yards, but no scores, to backs in week 1.
30. Jordan Mason
Mason is the other half of the Minnesota backfield.
He could deliver enough fantasy points just on the ground to be a worthwhile fantasy asset. I'm willing to take that gamble in week 2.
