You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Lamar Jackson. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
With Zach Charbonnet out-snapping Walker in each of the first two game, we have seen the highs and lows of "Kenny Three Sticks." He is more big-play reliant than ever before, but he can really shine in this outside-zone run scheme. The Seahawks have run outside at the eighth-highest rate, and Walker is averaging 6 yards per carry on those reps. Seattle's top two backs have the same exact number of touches (27), but Walker is averaging over twice as many yards per touch (5.3 to 2.1). The hope is this earns Walker more volume. If it doesn't, the Saints allow 5.5 yards per carry on outside runs, so Walker could still have a big day.
One of my misses so far this season has been doubting this veteran back. Through two weeks, Williams has logged 77 percent of the snaps, 60 percent of the carries and 77 percent of the RB targets in Dallas. That is elite usage. And it has led to elite fantasy results thus far. The 25-year-old, who struggled to produce over the past two seasons after a major knee injury in 2022, has topped 20 fantasy points and finished as a top-five back in each week. The Bears have allowed the sixth-most rushing yards (148.5 per game) and fifth-most yards per carry (5.3), struggling with explosive runs. Ride the hot hand.
In Week 2, Warren played 58 percent of the snaps and had 14 of the 20 running back carries. He did split passing-game usage with Kenneth Gainwell, but Warren led the team in receiving yards and it wasn't close. That is big this week because the Patriots have allowed the third-most receiving yards to RBs through two weeks. Last Sunday, Dolphins back De'Von Achane torched New England as a receiver. If all else fails, Warren leads the team in goal-line carries.
Swift has largely produced at his floor rate in the young season, but he has faced two of the top run defenses from 2024. The Cowboys are not a slam-dunk matchup, but they allow explosive runs at an above-average rate and also can be had by RBs in the passing game. Saquon Barkley scored 18.4 fantasy points against Dallas in Week 1, then both Giants backs topped nine points in Week 2. The floor is safe, but Swift brings some upside in this matchup.
No running back has played a higher percentage of his team's snaps than Pollard (89 percent). He has logged 39 touches in two weeks. This has not yet led to a big fantasy game, but that sort of volume cannot be ignored. The floor is safe, and better performances are coming -- perhaps as soon as this week. The Colts have allowed 5.4 yards per carry and give up explosive runs at the eighth-highest rate.
SLEEPERS
This is a huge game for Pacheco's fantasy value. I think he brings sleeper appeal after playing 60 percent of snaps in Week 2, with 10 carries, 18 routes run and two targets. That was double the amount of pass-game usage as we saw from Kareem Hunt, and while Hunt is still the short-yardage back, he only received eight carries on Sunday. We also saw rookie Brashard Smith's role shrink. The Chiefs have led for less than three minutes this season. Game script could be on Pacheco's side more in this one. Plus, the Giants have allowed 5.7 yards per carry to backs, the second-highest rate in the NFL. Lastly, this is a return home for the Jersey boy. It has been a rough start, but this has get-right potential.
I know, I know: So many folks have been telling me it's time to bench Henderson. I strongly considered caving and making him a "sit" because Week 2 was as rough as it could be for the rookie. Then I saw that the Steelers have given up the most explosive runs to backs over the first two weeks. They've allowed the second-most rushing yards to the position, as well. Not to mention, they have enjoyed success against power backs but been torched by the speedy options. Call me crazy, but I am giving this electric playmaker a chance to hit a home run or two in this one.
Sit 'Em
The man simply known as "Bill" has provided mixed results to start his NFL career. After getting out to a hot start with 14.2 fantasy points in his debut, the rookie was held to 1.7 in Week 2. What worries me is Croskey-Merritt has played fewer than a third of the snaps in each game. He is very game-script dependent, as the Commanders seem not to trust him in the passing game. It is why I expect Jeremy McNichols to take over the Austin Ekeler role following the veteran's season-ending injury. Without much usage in the passing game, Bill is kind of similar to what Brian Robinson Jr. was last season, with more goal-line competition. Plus, the Raiders have made life tough on RBs, allowing just 97 rushing yards to the position through two games.
In Week 2, Tracy played 42 percent of the snaps. He had just five carries, while Cam Skattebo logged 11. Tracy had five targets, but that is hard to rely on, as he ran one fewer route than Skattebo. Plus, all the goal-line carries this season have gone to Skattebo. The rookie might have already taken over as the lead back. I would certainly get away from Tracy, with the Giants going against a Chiefs team that has been very stingy to backs on the ground and through the air, despite some hefty competition.
I am a believer in the talent that is RJ Harvey. The issue is, talent can only translate to fantasy points when given the opportunity. Harvey has not had much of that, playing just 31 percent of the snaps and receiving 13 total touches. He is the secondary back on the ground (behind J.K. Dobbins) and through the air (behind Tyler Badie). Goal-line work goes to Dobbins. You just cannot trust the second-round draft pick until he sees more work. Oh, and the Chargers are a tough matchup, having allowed the third-fewest rushing yards to backs this season.
Last week, all three Browns backs scored between 10.1 and 10.9 fantasy points. Ford paced the group in snaps (49 percent) and targets (six), while Judkins led the way in carries (10). Sampson caught a late TD from Dillon Gabriel to salvage his day. I expect Judkins to take over more and more each week and eventually become the clear top dog. Once he does, he will be plenty fantasy relevant. But we are not there yet. Especially not this week, with Cleveland facing a Green Bay defense that has shut down both Detroit and Washington on the ground. I would stay far away from all Browns backs this week.
It was a rough Week 2 for Charbonnet. He still led the Seahawks backfield in snaps, carries and ran more routes than Kenneth Walker III. He's the goal-line back, too. The issue is that he turned 15 carries into 10 yards on Sunday. On the season, he has averaged 2.1 yards per carry and does not have an explosive run or a single target in the passing game. He is extremely touchdown dependent, and even when he scored in Week 1, he finished with just 10.7 fantasy points. Perhaps he scores a TD or two this week. If not, you could be looking at fewer than five fantasy points.
