Week 1 is in the books. We saw a bit of a throwback week for running backs in terms of snap share. Sixteen running backs played on at least 65% of the snaps, with eight of them playing on at least 80%:
When looking for potential pickups for this week, those are the backfields we want to target. For some (Kansas City, Philadelphia) there would most likely be a committee to replace the starter. For others (Atlanta, San Francisco, New York Jets), we can look at the primary backup with confidence they would step into a fairly sizable role. In the case of San Francisco, Jordan Mason already got his shot last night and was impressive running for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
Week 1 is in the books. We saw a bit of a throwback week for running backs in terms of snap share. Sixteen running backs played on at least 65% of the snaps, with eight of them playing on at least 80%:
When looking for potential pickups for this week, those are the backfields we want to target. For some (Kansas City, Philadelphia) there would most likely be a committee to replace the starter. For others (Atlanta, San Francisco, New York Jets), we can look at the primary backup with confidence they would step into a fairly sizable role. In the case of San Francisco, Jordan Mason already got his shot last night and was impressive running for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
There will be panic this week as owners drop viable backups to pick up this week’s shiny new toy. Look for opportunities with these players if you have the roster space. Also, keep an eye on injury reports in Miami (De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert are both banged up) as they may have to turn to Jeff Wilson or Jaylen Wright.
Jordan Mason ran for 147 yards and a touchdown in Christian McCaffery‘s absence, cementing his status as the top handcuff in fantasy. McCaffery sounds like he is going to miss Week 2 as well, so fire up Mason again. If you want the handcuff to the handcuff in San Francisco, Patrick Taylor is a deep league add. I think Deebo Samuel would operate as the primary running back in that scenario, however.
Bucky Irving picked up 62 yards rushing Sunday, including a nifty 31-yard scamper in the third quarter. Aside from Rachaad White, he was the only running back to garner a touch for the Buccaneers. Irving looked outstanding on Sunday and I think his role will continue to grow. Pick him up from the waiver wire if he is available.
Tank Bigsby severely cut into Travis Etienne‘s snap share, garnering 34% of the snaps and getting 12 carries. Etienne’s costly fumble at the goal line won’t soon be forgotten by Doug Pederson, either. Bigsby looked surprisingly agile and he started the season on a much better foot than in 2023. We will need to monitor this situation but Bigsby flies up the board.
Braelon Allen was the only Jets running back to get a touch behind Breece Hall. It wasn’t much, but that fact alone bodes well for his outlook if Hall were to miss time. There will be a lot of leagues where he is a drop this week, so if you have the roster space, I would think about picking him up off the waiver wire.
Tyler Allgeier had 21 yards on just three carries Sunday but was the only other Falcons running back to get a touch. Bijan Robinson played 90% of the snaps, which saps Allgeier’s early season Flex outlook. For handcuff purposes, though, that is exactly what we want. Allgeier would be in for a big touch share if Robinson gets hurt.
Zach Charbonnet played 33% of the snaps and got eight carries as the only Seattle running back to see a touch aside from Ken Walker. Charbonnet actually managed to score on a pass from Geno Smith in the second half, making him Flex viable. He would double his snap and touch share if Walker were to miss time with the abdominal injury he suffered late in the game.
I didn’t love what I saw out of Jaylen Warren on Sunday, as he was largely ineffective. The hamstring injury he suffered a few weeks ago is obviously lingering but the bigger issue is that the Pittsburgh offense failed to score a touchdown. The upside is that Najee Harris had one of the highest touch counts of the week, meaning Warren would be in for a decent workload if he became the lead back. The downside is the offensive environment will need to improve, so Warren gets bumped down a few spots.
Emmanuel Wilson was a direct beneficiary of MarShawn Lloyd being inactive, operating as the direct backup to Josh Jacobs. He finished with 46 yards rushing on just four carries, showing a nice jump cut on an 18-yard run that could have gone for more had he not slipped on the terrible playing surface. Lloyd could factor into this backfield and eventual fantasy start sit decisions but the Packers like Wilson. With Jordan Love set to miss the next month, they may lean heavily on the run.
Alexander Mattison had a 59% snap share and played on 13 out of 14 third downs. That is more a function of the Raiders playing from behind but Mattison could eventually be in line for a larger workload. Zamir White has his shortcomings and it wasn’t that long ago Mattison was considered a potential workhorse running back in Minnesota. He is worth a stash.
I know Blake Corum didn’t receive a single snap on Sunday night but all is not lost. Kyren Williams played 91% of the snaps and comes with some fragility. Sean McVay has always favored a primary ball-carrier and he has managed to get solid fantasy production out of lesser backs than Corum. If you drafted him as a handcuff, don’t give up on him yet. He may still pop for big-time production late in the season.
