Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Start ‘Em, Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Week 1 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Fabs’ Top 10 Running Backs
1. Christian McCaffrey vs. Steelers
2. Austin Ekeler vs. Dolphins
3. Derrick Henry at Saints
4. Nick Chubb vs. Bengals
5. Bijan Robinson vs. Panthers
6. Tony Pollard at Giants
7. Josh Jacobs at Broncos
8. Saquon Barkley vs. Cowboys
9. Joe Mixon at Browns
10. Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Eagles

Week 1 Start ‘Em: Running Backs

Start of the Week

Rachaad White at Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS): This week’s matchup against the Vikings isn’t eye-popping on paper, and there’s a good chance the Bucs could fall into a negative game script. Still, volume is king in fantasy football and White is going to be in a position to see 15-plus touches this week. The Vikings did allow nine backs to score 15-plus points last year, so White should be a nice RB2.

Start ‘Em

Kenneth Walker III vs. Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Walker’s stock has been in some question since the Seahawks drafted Zach Charbonnet, but I’m feeling good about the second-year runner. He should still receive a good percentage of the touches for coach Pete Carroll, and a matchup against the Rams makes him a solid option. In a game Seattle should dominate, Walker should produce a nice line.

J.K. Dobbins vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): There isn’t a starting running back in the league with a better matchup this week than Dobbins, at least based on last year’s data. The Texans surrendered the most fantasy points to runners, and the position scored 34.6% more points against them based on schedule adjusted points. Consider Dobbins a nice RB2 in what is an obvious smash spot.

Cam Akers at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Rams offense will likely not have Cooper Kupp, so it’ll have to lean on Akers and the ground attack. That of course is good news for the young back, who should thrive against a Seahawks defense that allowed the fourth-most points to opposing backs in 2022. What’s more, their defense allowed 11.2% more points based on adjusted points.

Javonte Williams vs. Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Williams could be brought along slowly this week in his return from last year’s knee injury, but he’s still a viable flex option based on the matchup. The Raiders allowed 27.9% more points to runners last season based on schedule adjusted points, not to mention the fifth-most points overall. Both Williams and Samaje Perine are worth a look.

More Starts

Jahmyr Gibbs at Chiefs (Thur. 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Khalil Herbert vs. Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)|
Brian Robinson vs. Cardinals (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Khalil Herbert vs. Packers ($5,300)
Brian Robinson vs. Cardinals ($5,100)
Samaje Perine vs. Raiders ($5,100)

Week 1 Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

Sit of the Week

Najee Harris vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Chances are you’ll have to start Harris this week, but I’d be tempering expectations based on a brutal matchup against the 49ers. No team in the league allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing runners a season ago, and no team allowed fewer points per adjusted schedule based on Fantasy Points Data. At best, Harris will be a risky low RB2 this weekend.

Sit ‘Em

James Cook at Jets (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): This is the first time I have ever had brothers listed as sits at the same position. While I love James as a sleeper for the season, I’m not so big on him when the Bills face a tough Jets run defense in New York. Their defense allowed just seven rushing scores to opposing backs last year, and just two had more than 14.3 PPR points against them at home.

Dalvin Cook vs. Bills (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Cook will be splitting the work with Breece Hall, and both players are coming off separate injuries that kept them out of action in the preseason. If that weren’t enough to be wary of Cook, also keep in mind the Bills allowed -8.2% to runners based on adjusted schedule data. At best, Hall and Cook are risk-reward RB2 or flex starters in this AFC East battle.

Jamaal Williams vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Williams is going to see volume in the absence of Alvin Kamara, which makes him a viable flex starter. I would temper expectations though, as he’ll face a Titans defense that allowed just 8.4 points per game to backs on the ground and 3.4 yards per rush last season. Williams might get into the end zone, but his yardage totals could be lacking this week.

D’Andre Swift at Patriots (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Eagles backfield figures to be an absolute mess, as fantasy managers try to decipher a three-headed committee. Swift might be the best bet for fantasy points, but Kenny Gainwell and Rashaad Penny will also get some burn. With a bad matchup against the Patriots also on the slate, I’d beware Swift and any Eagles running backs in the season opener.

More Sits

Jerick McKinnon vs. Lions (Thur. 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Deon Jackson vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Breece Hall vs. Bills at Jets (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Najee Harris vs. 49ers ($6,000)
D’Andre Swift at Patriots ($5,400)
Jamaal Williams at Saints ($5,100)