Welcome to Week 3 Running Back Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em! After the Week 2 bloodbath, some rosters may be in shambles.
A historically thin position to begin with, nailing those key start/sit questions for running backs is essential, especially if you’re staring down the barrel of a 0-3 start.
How you start isn’t as important as how you finish, but winless managers may be walking the tightrope to playing for next year.
Week 3 features a slew of RB starts that might require a little extra fortitude to submit. It’s paramount to appropriately gauge floors, upside, and exploitable matchups.
As always, remember this is just a game. There’s no need to target NFL players on social media for lackluster fantasy performances (ok, maybe sometimes).
Fire up The Wolf’s Week 3 Rankings and LET’S GO!
WEEK 3 RUNNING BACK START ‘EM
JAYLEN WARREN, RB, PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Rico Dowdle was spotted in a walking boot Wednesday and is likely out for the Week 3 tilt with the rival Bengals.
Surprisingly, this isn’t an easy matchup, as the Bengals have held Bucky Irving and David Montgomery to a combined 55 yards and a score.
However, Woody Marks and Bucky still managed to produce as pass catchers, exposing a probable leak in the otherwise promising Bengals defense.
Through two weeks, Warren has caught seven passes for 61 yards and has firmly entrenched himself as the alpha of the backfield.
Among RBs with at least 15 totes, Warren ranks third in yards after contact per rush while also notching a top-7 finish in avoided tackles per rush.
With a solid receiving floor and a washed-up Rodgers at QB, Warren is in line for a solid finish and should be started without hesitation.
QUINSHON JUDKINS, RB, CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. CAROLINA PANTHERS
I’m coming out swinging this week.
Since last season, the Panthers have allowed the most rush yards and are tied with the Bills for the most touchdowns allowed.
Coming into Week 3, the Panthers have surrendered 347 yards (6.3 YPC), four rushing TDs, and 173.5 rush yards per game.
Judkins is still the lead dog of the backfield, carrying the ball 12 times while catching all five of his targets.
He’s handled 37% of the offensive touches and has commanded 100% of the rushes inside the 5-yard line.
The biggest problem appears to be run-blocking, as Judkins has been getting nailed close to the line of scrimmage a lot, averaging only 0.83 YBC/att.
He’s still fighting through for 1.42 YACO/att despite being stuffed on 58.3% of rushes.
This is potentially his last hurrah before he hides on the bench beside the coach and behind the water cooler where nobody can see him.
RACHAAD WHITE, RB, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS VS. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
White was phenomenal in Week 2, putting up 14.3 points vs. the Cowboys (low bar, I know).
He carried the ball seven times for 43 yards while contributing another six catches for 40 yards.
White nearly doubled Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s production last week while logging 54% of the snaps vs. JCM’s 34%.
In fact, he posted a 55% route participation rate in Week 2, ranking 8th at the position.
White could be threatening to assert himself as the lead back for the Commanders.
The Seahawks are a TOUGH opponent, ranking top-7 against opposing running backs.
Rhamondre Stevenson caught five passes for 44 yards, but Jeremiyah Love only caught three passes for 16 yards.
Still, with the Commanders fighting an uphill battle and likely trailing early, White reflects solid flex appeal as a pass catcher.
Other RB starts: Cam Skattebo vs. TEN, TreVeyon Henderson vs. JAX
WEEK 3 RUNNING BACK SIT ‘EM
JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT, RB, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS VS. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
For the very reasons you should start Wright, you should probably punt JCM.
The Seahawks are likely going to bottle JCM up and control the line of scrimmage, keeping Mariota under duress all game.
Bill has struggled to create for himself and continues to cede opportunities to Wright and rookie Kaytron Allen.
JCM struggled mightily against the Cowboys last week, managing only 43 yards on 12 carries and one reception for 5 yards.
BHAYSHUL TUTEN, RB, JAX VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Last week, Tuten finished with a respectable 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. He also caught two passes for -3 yards.
An overall solid week for Tuten, but not quite the production the hype train was projecting for the Travis Etienne replacement.
Now, Tuten is set to square up against the Patriots, who have yielded just two scores on the ground to running backs in their last 14 games started by Milton Williams.
Recently, quarterback Trevor Lawrence said the Jaguars are “gonna lean on him more and more.
This is not a panic button reaction to Tuten, who has earned at least 15 touches each game to start the season. He’s forcing a missed tackle on 29% of his rushes (2nd among RBs).
He’s only played about half the snaps and has seen just three targets. That’s concerning usage against a tough rush defense.
This is more of a risk management call. Tuten still has Chris Rodriguez Jr. stealing opportunities, capping Tuten as a flex play. With a tough test this week, perhaps pivoting to a wide receiver in his place is the play.
JEREMIYAH LOVE, RB, ARIZONA CARDINALS VS. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Let this man loose!
Love continues to play fewer snaps than Tyler Allgeier, and he’s become a touchdown-dependent play.
This isn’t unexpected; it was highly unlikely Love was just handed the keys to the castle out of the gate.
What’s most concerning is that he’s only seen seven targets.
The 49ers defense has allowed at least 12 points each to Kyren Williams and De’Von Achane and rank 19th against the position as a unit.
Until the Cardinals let him take over the backfield, and they will at some point, he’s a risky play with insane upside each week.
If you have other options, I’d recommend pursuing them.
Other RB sits: Rhamondre Stevenson vs JAX, Travis Etienne vs. LV
