NFL Fantasy 2026 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Running backs for Week 3
As always, Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is geared toward helping fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. You won’t see “start Jahmyr Gibbs” here. Instead, I'm exploring the players closer to the perceived fringe and aiming to optimize your lineup for a win each week. Importantly, the new “Start of the Week” and “Sit of the Week” are the calls I have deemed the most notable in each category, not necessarily the most essential players to start or sit.
Also, you’ll see quite a few references in this year’s column to NFL Pro, spotlighting insights provided through Next Gen Stats data dashboards, matchup evaluations, All-22 film and the uniquely trained Fantasy AI Assistant. You can get access to all of those tools yourself with an NFL+ Premium subscription!
P.S. Feel free to follow me on X (@MattOkada) or Instagram (@mattokadaNFL) and hit me with your questions, congratulations or complaints throughout the year.
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
Both Montgomery and Woody Marks were beyond inept against Cincinnati last week -- to the tune of 18 rushing yards on 14 carries combined -- but we're returning to the well in Week 3. After facing Derrick Henry and Kenneth Walker III, the Colts' run defense is bottom three in rush yards over expected per carry (1.0), success rate (51.5%), EPA/carry (0.22), yards before contact per carry (a wild 3.5) and explosive runs (10). Phew. They've also surrendered nine red-zone trips, tied for the second-most in the league. Montgomery will find the end zone again this Sunday.
Notable starts
Starting Chargers might seem misguided right now, but Hampton was the lone fantasy bright spot against the Raiders -- SEE: 115 yards and a touchdown on 25 touches (though he did have a costly fumble) -- and the Bills have been soft against running backs dating back to last season.
The Lions were generous to Jacksonville's James Cook III on the ground (135 yards and a TD) and to New Orleans' Travis Etienne Jr. through the air (seven catches for 32 yards). Hall can do both, has a high floor and should be started until further notice.
Either Judkins shows up against the Panthers -- who've allowed the most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns (tied with Buffalo) to running backs since last season -- or he's heading to fantasy benches. (Or, frankly, the waiver wire.) Give him one more chance.
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Sit 'Em
Sit of the Week
While Etienne posted a solid PPR performance on seven catches in Week 1, the return of Alvin Kamara tanked his fantasy prospects in Week 2. He saw just two targets (to Kamara's six) on Sunday, and through two weeks, he has just 71 rushing yards on 17 carries and has lost significant snaps to undrafted rookie CJ Donaldson. Etienne's 7.1 fantasy points as a rusher rank 41st among running backs, behind backups Kaelon Black and Emanuel Wilson, among others. He's unlikely to fare better against the Raiders than De'Von Achane (10.6 points at Las Vegas in Week 1), so another single-digit dud could be on deck.
Notable sits
Sitting Love against Seattle turned out to be the right move -- he scored just 7.5 fantasy points -- and unfortunately, we're doing it again vs. San Francisco. The dynamic rookie is still not seeing RB1 usage, and the 49ers boast an above-average defense.
While Tuten's been efficient and explosive on the ground, he's contributed little as a receiver and has just five snaps and three touches in the red zone. Against an extremely staunch Patriots defense, he has very few avenues to a strong fantasy day.
Croskey-Merritt was heavily outsnapped by superior receiver Rachaad White in a losing Week 2 effort against Dallas, and you can expect more of the same against the Seahawks this Sunday. Plus, Seattle's run defense is terrifying. "Bill" is a must-sit in Week 3.
From "Start of the Week" ... straight to the bench. On Sunday, Stevenson committed his 18th career fumble -- the most by any non-quarterback since Rhamondre was drafted in 2021. Furthermore, he was heavily outsnapped and outproduced in that game by a returning TreVeyon Henderson. Don't start Stevenson until it's clear New England trusts him again.