Looking for Week 2 RB start/sit picks? Here are the running backs to start and sit for your fantasy football lineup. Running back is a straightforward fantasy position on paper, but there are many variables that can make or break a player’s production. Let’s break down my Week 2 fantasy RB start/sit picks below.
Fantasy Football Week 2 RB Start/Sit: Running Back Picks
- Running backs to start: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rhamondre Stevenson
- Running backs to sit: Rico Dowdle, Quinshon Judkins
Week 2 RB Start: Jacory Croskey-Merritt at Cowboys
I can hear it… coming in the air tonight…
No, not Phil Collins. The Bill Nye the Science Guy theme song! Major credit is due to Croskey-Merritt on my end, as I doubted the young back’s ability to produce against a stout Eagles run defense. That’s just what he did, though, rushing 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Rachaad White is still certainly a factor in this backfield, as evident by his nine Week 1 touches. If Bill can hold onto the ball and keep his numbers up, the job does seem to be securely his. Croskey-Merritt draws a great Week 2 matchup to do so against Dallas, who just allowed Cam Skattebo to run all over them. Fire Bill up as an RB2 with upside.
Week 2 RB Sit: Rico Dowdle at Patriots
We all waited eagerly to see how the Steelers would split touches between their backfield committee last week. Offseason acquisition Rico Dowdle projected to handle a bulk of the carries, while Jaylen Warren operated as a change-of-pace back with receiving upside.
In the end, it was Warren who managed both of those duties. He out-touched Dowdle 15 to 10 and was significantly more efficient on the ground and through the air. That doesn’t bode well for Dowdle’s fantasy prospects heading into Week 2 against a tough Patriots run defense. The dynamic power-rusher should get his chances, but this week will be an uphill battle.
Find all of my Week 2 start/sit picks for each position here!
Week 2 RB Start: Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Steelers
Stevenson’s usage, and specifically lack of rushing production, made headlines and noise on social media in the 2026 NFL season opener. That said, I actually think the veteran back played quite well. Specifically, he made the most of his receiving opportunities, hauling in five balls for 44 yards. Rhamondre also maintained his form as one of the best pass protection backs in the league.
People just seem to forget that New England was facing the reigning Super Bowl champions with a top-three defense in the league. It was always going to be an uphill battle. In Week 2, things get a lot easier for Drake Maye and company. The Steelers are fresh off a relatively unconvincing win over the quarterback-less Falcons. Bijan Robinson sliced up the Pittsburgh defense as a receiver, generating optimism that Stevenson can do the same. Even if TreVeyon Henderson does return from his high ankle sprain, the veteran is still going to see 60-70% of the workload. That should be enough to garner high-end RB2 production.
Week 2 RB Sit: Quinshon Judkins at Buccaneers
The Browns are bad. Really bad. That’s unfortunate for Quinshon Judkins, who is actually quite an effective, talented running back. If the situation around you is that poor, there’s just not much you can do at that position to produce. The Browns fell down early to Jacksonville, resulting in Judkins being taken out of the game script entirely. He finished with 12 carries and two catches for 50 total yards.
That just isn’t going to cut it, and I fear history is doomed to repeat itself for Cleveland most weeks. The Buccaneers boast too high-powered of an offense for the Browns to keep up, setting the stage for another early deficit and overall lack of production. If Judkins can find the end zone, he’ll likely put up respectable RB2 numbers, but you don’t want to play the boom-or-bust game at RB two weeks into the season.
Those are my Week 2 RB start/sit fantasy picks. Stay tuned for more start ’em, sit ’em content over the rest of the week!
