In so many ways, the opening week is a whirlwind. Nobody — not even viewers, bettors, and fantasy football owners— is ever quite ready for the jump from training camp to the regular season. But in fantasy especially, we better catch up to speed quickly or run the risk of an 0-2 start. Now’s the time to reassess the running back position after a wild first week and tell you exactly where your backs stand in our Week 2 fantasy RB rankings for standard leagues.

Of course, we always expect the unexpected in the first week of meaningful football — and in that sense, this past weekend of running back play was right on schedule. JK Dobbins tore his Achilles, Kenneth Gainwell started for the Eagles, Kyren Williams dominated red-zone touches for the Rams, and Joshua Kelley had an amazing 15-point game despite playing in the shadows of Austin Ekeler.

In some ways, though, predictability prevailed, especially when it came to the elite studs. Ekeler, who we just mentioned, scored 24.4 half-PPR points. Christian McCaffrey, the only other RB even discussed in the top-end of drafts alongside Justin Jefferson, also had 24.4. Nick Chubb casually gobbled up a 100-yard game, and Travis Etienne Jr. picked up right where he left off in his breakout 2022 campaign.

WEEK 2 STANDARD RANKINGS:QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Derrick Henry went back to his throne, David Montgomery hogged the Motown rock, and Bijan Robinson boomed while Tyler Allgeier said “I’m still here.” And we’re still here, left to pick up the pieces, dive into the Week 2 matchups, and provide you with the best standard-league RB rankings in fantasy land.

MORE: Watch NFL RedZone live with Sling (50% off first month)

Who are the best fantasy RBs Week 2?

You know what makes the cream rise to the top — talent plus opportunity. You don’t need us to tell you to start your workhorse studs like Austin Ekeler (@ Titans), Christian McCaffrey (@ Rams), Bijan Robinson (vs. Packers), Nick Chubb (@ Steelers), and Derrick Henry (@ Chargers). The top 10 list is basically auto-start territory.

WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Joe Mixon is always a strong bet at home against the Ravens, even though the Bengals looked atrocious in Week 1 against the Browns. That’s one of those “throw out the game tape and wipe the slate clean” weeks that we highly doubt will be duplicated. We also envision better results this week for Kenneth Walker III (@ Lions) and Isiah Pacheco (@ Jaguars), both of whom missed their Week 1 ceilings due, in large part, to their squads coming up short.

It’s “new season, new you’ for the Panthers” Miles Sanders (vs. Saints), the Bears’ David Montgomery (vs. Seahawks), and the Saints’ Jamaal Williams (@ Panthers), all of whom have vaulted into the top 25 of our rankings. Alexander Mattison (@ Eagles) eked in there, too, but he has a much stiffer challenge ahead of him in Philadelphia’s home opener.

Who are the best fantasy RB sleepers, waiver pickups Week 2?

The unfortunate torn Achilles of JK Dobbins immediately launches Justice Hill and Gus Edwards (@ Bengals) into sleeper territory. Hill gobbled up two TDs against the Texans (yes, we realize that means we must temper our expectations against the Bengals), while Gus Bus logged the most rushing yards (32) outside of Lamar Jackson (38). Prioritize Hill in your waiver claims if you need RB help, but don’t be discouraged if you can only land Gus.

Of course, if the Falcons’ Tyler Allgeier (vs. Panthers) is available, he’s among the best of the best on your waiver wire. The dude enjoyed a fantastic 2022, so it’s insane that he’s only a little over 50 percent rostered. If Bijan goes down, Allgeier’s stock goes way up.

Speaking of stock going up, how about the Eagles’ Kenneth Gainwell (vs. Vikings)? Rashaad Penny was a healthy scratch in Week 1, while D’Andre Swift only had two touches and three total yards. Who’s in the doghouse!? Who, who, who? Philly’s new running backs. Woof. (What, you didn’t think we had Baja Men in us?)

Rounding out our sleeper and handcuff pickups, go try to grab the Chargers’ Joshua Kelley (@ Titans), Panthers’ Chuba Hubbard (vs. Saints), and/or Rams’ Kyren Williams (vs. 49ers). These guys had steady roles in Week 1 and could turn into must-starts if their RB1 goes down in front of them. We also think Zack Moss’s time in Indy will come sooner than later since Deon Jackson and Evan Hull were very underwhelming in Week 1 vs. the Jags. If Moss (arm) is active this week against Houston, he’s a potential flex.

Who are the biggest potential fantasy RB busts Week 2?

You can’t sit Tony Pollard (vs. Jets) despite a tough matchup this week, but it might not be a bad idea to shop him around. He scored two TDs in the Cowboys romp of the Giants, but he didn’t quite look like the home run hitter he was last year. The guy did suffer a fractured fibula and high ankle sprain in the playoffs just a little under nine months ago, after all.

A touchdown salvaged his day, but the Commanders’ Brian Robinson Jr. (@ Broncos) was pretty poor against the Cardinals on Sunday. He managed just 3.1 yards per carry, and now gets to travel to the mile-high altitude of Denver. We’re fading him and Antonio Gibson if we can. We feel similar about the ever-lackluster Cam Akers (vs. 49ers), who amassed just 29 yards on 22 carries in the Rams’ 30-13 throttling of the Seahawks.

Healthy scratches for the Eagles’ Rashaad Penny (vs. Vikings) and Dolphins’ De’Von Achane (@ Patriots) were awful news for fantasy owners of either back, as was the bare-minimum usage of Philly’s D’Andre Swift. We also apparently must deal with the fact that Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (vs. Seahawks) — an explosive hybrid back Detroit picked 12th overall — is on the wrong end of a 75/25 split with veteran David Montgomery.

In Philadelphia, how can we feel confident about any RB? Nick Sirianni is doing his best Bill Belichick impression with Boston Scott, D’Andre Swift, and Rashaad Penny (vs. Vikings) — basically dangling out the fact that the only certainty is uncertainty now that surprise Week 1 lead back Kenneth Gainwell is OUT on Thursday. Tread lightly.

What are the biggest RB injuries Week 2?

As we mentioned in the beginning, JK Dobbins tore his Achilles in the latest chapter of a heartbreaking saga of a career. The end of his season marks the beginning of a new opportunity for the aforementioned Hill and Edwards.

Jonathan Taylor (back, ankle) remains on the PUP list, but we could see Zack Moss (@ Texans) make his 2023 debut this week in a plus matchup. Moss broke his forearm late in camp, but he surprised the masses when he popped up as “questionable” early last week. The Colts ultimately downgraded him to doubtful on Saturday, however, and he was declared out on Sunday. Deon Jackson was awful last week, so Moss will be a clear upgrade.

The Jets could continue to roll back Breece Hall (@ Cowboys) slowly for the first few weeks of the season, so consider utilizing your higher-floor options until we see positive news. He’s coming off a torn ACL just 10-plus months ago, and New York won’t risk overdoing it with one of the young cornerstones of their franchise. Javonte Williams (vs. Commanders) is coming off a knee injury of his own but appears ready to rock. He out-touched Samaje Perine 17-12 in Week 1 against the Raiders and had a couple of encouraging breakaways.

The biggest Week 1 injury (that we know of) to watch is Aaron Jones, who exited early because of a hamstring ailment. He’s a safe starter if active against Atlanta, but if he’s out, AJ Dillon will rise to must-start status.

UPDATE: Austin Ekeler is dealing with an ankle injury that’s likely to leave him questionable for Sunday’s game against Tennessee, making Joshua Kelley a must-have pickup.

We’ll be updating these standard RB rankings throughout the week, so check back for the latest player movement and analysis.

Fantasy RB Rankings Week 2: Who to start, sit at running back

Rankings based on standard, non-PPR scoring

Rank Player1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers @ Rams2 Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Packers3 Nick Chubb, Browns @ Steelers4 Derrick Henry, Titans vs. Chargers5 Saquon Barkley, Giants @ Cardinals6 Josh Jacobs, Raiders @ Bills7 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Dolphins8 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Chiefs9 Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Browns10 Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Ravens11 Tony Pollard, Cowboys vs. Jets 12 Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks @ Lions13 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Jaguars14 Miles Sanders, Panthers vs. Saints15 James Conner, Cardinals vs. Giants16 David Montgomery, Lions vs. Seahawks17 James Cook, Bills vs. Raiders18 Dameon Pierce, Texans vs. Colts19 Rachaad White, Buccaneers vs. Bears20 AJ Dillon, Packers @ Falcons21 Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. Commanders22 Jamaal Williams, Saints @ Panthers23 Joshua Kelley, Chargers @ Titans24 Justice Hill, Ravens @ Bengals25 Alexander Mattison, Vikings @ Eagles26 Tyler Allgeier, Falcons vs. Panthers27 Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions vs. Seahawks28 Breece Hall, Jets @ Cowboys29 Khalil Herbert, Bears @ Buccaneers30 Ezekiel Elliott, Patriots vs. Dolphins31 Samaje Perine, Broncos vs. Commanders32 Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders @ Broncos33 Rashaad Penny, Eagles vs. Vikings34 Cam Akers, Rams vs. 49ers35 Dalvin Cook, Jets @ Cowboys36 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins @ Patriots37 Gus Edwards, Ravens @ Bengals38 D’Andre Swift, Eagles vs. Vikings39 Chuba Hubbard, Panthers vs. Saints40 Zack Moss, Colts @ Texans41 Kyren Williams, Rams vs. 49ers42 Damien Harris, Bills vs. Raiders43 Boston Scott, Eagles vs. Vikings44 D’Onta Foreman, Bears @ Buccaneers45 Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs @ Jaguars46 Tank Bigsby, Jaguars vs. Chiefs47 Roschon Johnson, Bears @ Falcons48 Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks @ Lions49 Tyjae Spears, Titans vs. Chargers50 Elijah Mitchell, 49ers @ Rams51 Kendre Miller, Saints @ Panthers52 Deon Jackson, Colts @ Texans53 Michael Carter, Jets @ Cowboys54 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ Jaguars55 Jaylen Warren, Steelers vs. Browns56 Antonio Gibson, Commanders @ Broncos57 Jerome Ford, Browns @ Steelers58 Elijah Dotson, Chargers @ Titans59 Patrick Taylor, Packers @ Falcons60 Chase Edmonds, Buccaneers vs. Bears