FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Week 2 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1699)
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Chris Welsh
Experts: Pat Fitzmorris, Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Week 2 running back rankings and tiers, breaking down studs, sleepers, must-starts, committee nightmares, and risers/fallers after the first week of NFL action. Chris Welsh leads the discussion with Pat Fitzmorris and Andrew Erickson, highlighting notable debates between their personal rankings and the Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR), exploring ambiguous backfields, and providing actionable advice for fantasy managers navigating early-season uncertainties.

The trio covers the top 36 running backs, with special attention to workload, usage, matchup context, and how to react to Week 1 surprises (good and bad). Quotes, memorable insights, and timestamped highlights are provided below for all key running back situations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Confidence in RB vs. WR Rankings

• Pat Fitzmorris feels "a little bit better about the running backs this week than the wide receivers," citing Week 1 struggles for top wideouts (01:36).
• Andrew Erickson expresses confidence in early RB1s, but sees looming committee chaos and unpredictability beyond the top tiers:

  "It's like a conglomerate of a bunch of committees... just trying to capture that type of ambiguity in linear rankings..." (01:56).

2. RB1s & High-End Starters

Top 12 RBs for Week 2

• Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, Jameer Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, Chase Brown, Josh Jacobs, Kyren Williams, James Conner, Bucky Irving, Ashton Genti, Devon Achane.

Ashton Genti Debate

• Pat Fitzmorris (higher than consensus):

  "Genti played 85.7% of the offensive snaps for the Raiders. He had 19 carries, only netted 38 yards. Not the yardage output we're for, but massive workload... This usage is why people drafted Ashton Genti in the first round." (04:54)

• Andrew Erickson (slightly lower, but bullish):

  "This feels like the Marvin Harrison week 2 game from last year... They [Patriots] were selling out to stop Ashton Genti... The matchup is significantly better this week... Chargers dead last in EPA per rush..." (05:49)

• Both expect a Week 2 bounce-back versus the Chargers, discuss positive trade sentiment, and encourage opportunistic buy-low moves for Genti.

Notable Quote:

"At least he got you the score. And I think the matchup is significantly better this week... the Chargers dead last in EPA per rush..."
— Andrew Erickson (06:27)

3. RB2s: Workhorses, Committees, and Backfield Quandaries (RBs 13-24)

Chuba Hubbard (CAR)

• Erickson (very bullish, nearly a RB1):

  "It's just a play on him being a workhorse bell cow... Chuba Hubbard is the guy they want to feature... he is their bell cow." (13:16)

• Fitzmorris (cautious):

  "I just don't know how much receiving production we can really count on from Chuba. ...part of it is the status of Icky Ekwonu... I just do see Chuba Hubbard as more of a mid range RB2 than a high end RB this week." (15:05)

TreVeyon Henderson (NE)

• Fitzmorris (down on Henderson):

  "I'm not a huge Patriots homer like Erickson is... Ramon Dre Stevenson out-snapped Treveon Henderson 46 to 25 last week... I need to see that first." (16:51)

• Erickson (bullish, upside for explosive plays):

  "He had 11 touches, six of which were catches... against the Miami Dolphins... this is a spot where yeah, Henderson's probably gonna rip off a big play this week." (17:42)

Ken Walker III vs. Zach Charbonnet (SEA)

• Fitzy (Walker at RB21, not panicking):

  "Walker did out touch Charbonnet 13 to 12... Seahawks were run heavy... Let's not forget that Walker was dealing with a foot injury last month..." (20:30)

• Erickson (Walker at RB26, Charbonnet RB29):

  "This is the conglomerate I was talking about... I'm not trying to hold on to what my draft take was... I think if you are starting one this week, Charbonnet probably has that touchdown equity because he did see the majority of work in the red zone..." (21:46)

4. RB3s & Flex Options, Fliers, and Fallers (RBs 25-36)

Isaiah Pacheco (KC)

• Both rank Pacheco inside the top 25, higher than consensus (ECR 31).
• Fitzmorris:

  "He looks like Isaiah Pacheco again... Chiefs have to try to run the ball this week with no Rashee Rice and presumably no Xavier Worthy... They have to have healthy run pass balance..." (24:36)

• Erickson:

  "The gap between Pacheco and Hunt is great enough from a talent standpoint... Pacheco is still clearly so much better than Hunt that the Chiefs are going to have to find ways to hey, I think we need to get Pacheco more involved..." (25:41)

Bill "Crosby" Merritt (WAS)

• Erickson (way above consensus, RB2):

  "What he did in his debut... I think this is just the beginning. I think that he's going to continue see an expanded role... he is Brian Robinson in this offense, but with juice." (27:52)

• Fitzmorris (lower):

  "The Packers were a green light matchup for running backs for years... This is a really tough Green Bay run defense now... If Bill smashes against the Packers this week, maybe it's a sign that he is destined for stardom, but I think he could have a tough night..." (29:56)

R.J. Harvey (DEN)

• Both fade Harvey below consensus, citing lack of volume and a crowded, unpredictable backfield.
• Erickson:

  "I had to significantly move him down... It's great that he rushed for 70 yards, but he had six carries... right now I think you're still happy that you have Harvey on your roster because I think long term..." (31:58)

• Fitzmorris:

  "Sean Payton always has a backfield by committee. We were hoping for 80–90% with Harvey and Dobbins... RJ Harvey had a 29 Snapchat in week one... You can't start RJ Harvey until he gets more work..." (33:40)

5. Deep Sleepers & Backs Outside the Top 36

• Pat Fitzmorris: Trey Benson (ARI)

  "He’s still the clear number two in the Arizona backfield behind James Conner...good matchup against the Carolina Panthers, who apparently still have the worst run defense in the league... might have flex value." (34:32)

• Andrew Erickson: Dylan Sampson (CLE)

  "8 targets out of the backfield, 8 for 64 from Joe Flacco... I think there's a pretty high floor here for him if he's continuing to see this pass catching role." (35:16)

Memorable Quotes

• "Ashton Genti played 85.7% of the offensive snaps for the Raiders. He had 19 carries... This usage is why people drafted Ashton Genti in the first round."
  — Pat Fitzmorris (04:54)

• "It's just a play on him being a workhorse bell cow... Chuba Hubbard is the guy they want to feature."
  — Andrew Erickson (13:16)

• "Isaiah Pacheco looks like himself again... The gap between Pacheco and Hunt is great enough from a talent standpoint..."
  — Fitzy & Erickson (24:36–25:41)

• "This is the conglomerate I was talking about earlier, where we got two Seahawks running backs, two Vikings running backs... like this is where I'm starting to get concerned..."
  — Andrew Erickson (21:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• RB Confidence & Overview: 01:36–02:34
• RB1 Rankings & Genti Debate: 04:54–07:19
• RB2 Start/Sit Debates: 13:16–19:14
• Ken Walker/Seahawks Backfield: 20:30–23:21
• RB3s & Deeper Flex Plays: 24:36–33:40
• Outside Top 36 Sleepers: 34:32–36:33

Conclusion

Week 2 running back rankings bring both clarity and new confusion. The hosts stress not to overreact to Week 1, especially regarding players in ambiguous backfields or those facing tough opening matchups. Key buy-low windows are open (Genti, perhaps Chase Brown), and managers should remain vigilant about usage trends—particularly where committees and game scripts are at play. Flex upside exists outside the top 36 (Trey Benson, Dylan Sampson), but the RB landscape remains dynamic. They close by inviting questions for their live start/sit shows and encouraging listeners to keep up with updated rankings on fantasypros.com.

For further questions or specific start/sit dilemmas, visit YouTube.com/FantasyPros Thursday live streams (3pm ET).