Week 2 of the NFL season is here! Week 1 already provided valuable insight into each team’s respective backfield situation, allowing fantasy managers to pivot their lineup strategy if needed. With that in mind, let’s break down my Week 2 start/sit RB fantasy picks.
Check out my full Week 2 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Jacory (Bill) Croskey-Merritt (Commanders) at Packers — TNF
*Insert Bill Nye the Science Guy meme*
There were a lot of questions about Washington’s backfield committee heading into the year, with Austin Ekeler being seen as the “starter” and assumed third-down back. While the veteran did earn the receiving work as expected, it was Croskey-Merritt who led the way on the ground.
Bill flashed elite burst and power in his regular-season debut, taking 10 carries for a whopping 82 yards and a touchdown. That production will certainly earn him an uptick in opportunities during Washington’s next matchup.
Speaking of matchups, the Packers were a force to be reckoned with last week against the Lions, which may spark some doubt about Bill’s fantasy outlook in Green Bay. While I do have to give significant props to that defensive line, I believe a lot of Detroit’s problems could be chalked up to the loss of Ben Johnson, Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler. The Commanders are working with a lot more continuity up front that carried over from 2024, which should allow them to move the ball effectively on the ground. Croskey-Merritt is a strong RB2 on Thursday.
Sit ‘Em: Dylan Sampson (Browns) at Ravens
Sampson took advantage of an enlarged workload with Quinshon Judkins still out of the equation, receiving 20 total touches. His efficiency on the ground was horrible (2.42 yards per carry), but the rookie more than made up for it in the passing game, catching eight balls for 64 yards.
Unfortunately for Sampson, Judkins and the Browns finally agreed to a deal, and the rookie is expected to make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Ravens. That will create a tricky backfield committee to navigate, as Judkins, Sampson and Jerome Ford are all capable options. It’s still possible that Sampson will earn the receiving work, but he’s likely looking at 10 touches a game max.
That projected decreased workload doesn’t exactly inspire confidence ahead of a Week 2 duel with Baltimore, who will be looking to bounce back in a massive way after their embarrasing choke against Buffalo. Sampson could work his way back into fantasy relevancy, but let’s play the waiting game with Cleveland’s backfield for now.
Check out my full Week 2 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Jaylen Warren (Steelers) vs. Seahawks
Warren emerged as the clear top man in Pittsburgh’s backfield to open the season. The versatile RB took his 11 carries for 37 yards and caught two balls for 22 yards and a touchdown. While the inefficiency on the ground is slightly concerning, the Jets’ defensive line was impressive against the run in general.
I expect more consistent volume for Warren in the passing game in particular moving forward. The 26-year-old boasts 99 receptions over the last two seasons, and Aaron Rodgers won’t always be able to pick apart an opposing secondary like he did to New York’s. A significant dump-off share should be in Warren’s future, which is quite promising in PPR leagues.
The 5’8 back holds RB2 value heading into this week’s tilt with Seattle.
Sit ‘Em: Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs) vs. Eagles
I recommended sitting Pacheco in last week’s start/sit installment, and that proved to be the right decision. Despite declaring the 2025 season a “revenge tour”, the angry downhill rusher managed a meager 25 yards on only five attempts, also catching two balls for three yards.
Kareem Hunt remained the receiving back, earning just as many touches as Pacheco. Without a clearly defined role in a volatile Chiefs offense, it’s hard to feel confident about the 26-year-old’s fantasy prospects.
Things won’t get any easier against an Eagles defense that allowed starter Javonte Williams to average just 3.6 yards per attempt (even if he did score twice) in the season opener. It’s best to play the waiting game with Kansas City’s backfield until a larger sample size is established.
Start ‘Em: Travis Etienne (Jaguars) at Bengals
There were a LOT of questions about Jacksonville’s backfield heading into the season opener. It appears most of them have been answered. Tank Bigsby, who some expected to be the leading rusher, received five carries and turned them into 12 yards. He was then traded to the Eagles on Monday. I’d say that’s a pretty definitive statement.
Travis Etienne, on the other hand, earned 16 rushing attempts. He converted those carries into a whopping 143 yards, also tallying three receptions. It’s not fair to expect the former first-rounder to 8.9 yards per attempt moving forward, but he appears to have regained a stranglehold of the starting role.
Etienne checks in as an RB2 with obvious upside against a Bengals defense that didn’t exactly light the world on fire in their 17-16 win over Cleveland.
Those are my start ’em, sit ’em RB Week 2 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy advice throughout the week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
