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Matt Jones
This is an iHeart podcast.
Drew Franklin
Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin and this is NFL Cover Zero. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Oh my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining and twice a week that is exactly what you're going to get. Listen to NFL Cover 0 with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app podcast or wherever you get your podcast.
Chris Welsh
What's up friends and welcome into Fantasy Pros. This is the fantasy Football Podcast Week 3 Running Back Ranks. I'm Chris Welsh and of course I am joined by Andrew Erickson and Pat Fitz Morris as we are going to be going through the top 36 running backs according to expert consensus ranks on fantasy Pros ecr. We're going to talk about some of the biggest names, hopefully answer some running back questions ahead of time. But that I know you guys are going to have where ECR is moving and I can tell you things are a moving friends. We have a running back that we're going to talk about here in just a second that was like 17 a day ago and moved all the way up to 12. So we have some high flying stuff. Hopefully we can catch all of it. And sometimes you wish we were talking about it off air Erickson that like once some of these moves happen a bit later in the week so we could take advantage of it. Jordan Mason on the betting front but there's some, there's going to be some fun running back there things to cover. Do you think running back feels weaker this week or do you think we've had some questions answered over the last two weeks that build a little bit more confidence in who you're going to be starting? Do you know what I'm saying? Like and I'm alluding to like there's a Ken Walker situation last week. You know, Mason's a little bit more clear. Maybe you feel better about Warren. Do you think there's more clarity in our backfields or do you think there's as many questions as we went into week one with?
Andrew Erickson
Well, we have one less crowded backfield because Aaron Jones is not going to play. So that's why we like Jordan Bessel. Yeah, so we did get something out of the way. So that was one of the backfields where it's kind of muddied. You know, it's 1A, 1B. Well now it's just Jordan, Mason, Sisson, like that's what we have here. So I think maybe some more clarity. I think we're getting more confidence about some of the guys that showed out in Week one, whether it's like ETN or Dobbins or Javante, like they're starting to really separate themselves from those other running backs in those respective backfields. So you can feel more confident about where you start them and also where they're being ranked now compared to last week and even before in week one where we still weren't sure how the back that was going to shake out. But with two weeks of a sample size, I think we do feel better about some of these particular backfields. Although the Seahawks backfield is still it's going to it just continues to look like a headache.
Chris Welsh
Everything clarity may be except if you're a rookie running back. And Fitzy, hopefully we're going to be able to tackle some of these questions because are you ready for the onslaught of rookie running back who you rathers this week because well, I'm going to tell you right now we're going to talk about Hampton, we're going to talk about Treveon, Henderson, but I mean the top end of running backs are disappointing. The bottom end cheap guys have kind of played. We are going to be inundated with a gajillion questions about what we do with rookie running backs this week and hopefully what we do here. Fitzy is going to like answer some of those questions, right?
Matt Jones
Yeah, we're going to bring a few of them up. Welsh and I think people are wondering if this year's running back class was oversold based on how it was touted and its collect off to a really slow start. But I would encourage people not to give up just yet and don't be.
Chris Welsh
So you don't think it's oversold?
Matt Jones
No, I don't. I think it's a really good class and I think some of these guys are going to hit before long.
Chris Welsh
All right, well let's see which ones are going to hit. We'll talk about them. You guys want to follow along, go to fantasypros.com rankings also you could just do it throughout the week. If you want to see the ups and downs of some of these players all the way up until kickoff, you can check this out and there's lots of cool features on there whether it's you, you can check out projected points, how they score versus their projections. If it's an A, B, C type of matchup that's out there and you can even click on the players names to get more insights like you know which specific rankers have these players other formats. Just go check it out. It's very cool. Fantasypros.com rankings and that is what we are looking at today. Kicking off the top 12 running back starting with number one Bijan Robinson. Bijan, not Bijan. We now know we figured that out from this week. He wants to be called Bijan after saying it was Bichon. He's going up against Carolina. We got number two Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Derek Henry, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook. That's your top six followed by Jameer Gibbs, Bucky Irving, Josh Jacobs, Devon Achan, Chase Brown and Jordan Mason. This was not the board we were going to be doing about 12 hours ago. 12 hours ago we have a guy that just got booted from the top 12 for Jordan Mason and we were going to be talking about him in the middle of the RB2 range. The news of Aaron Jones has some of the new rankers submitting and this is pushed Jordan Mason in as an RB one this week. You two gentlemen agree? Fitz you've got him at seven. Erickson you've got him at 11. So Fitz you're the high guy. Let's start with it. Top seven back this week, Jordan Mason unquestioned. No Aaron Jones. Only camakers is sitting out there. So let's hear your all in on Jordan Mason.
Matt Jones
Yeah, Aaron Jones out. He's on IR with a hamstring injury. That pretty much leaves this backfield to Jordan. I know the Vikings signed Cam Akers, resigned Cam Acres to their practice squad. I don't know if Acres is going to be active on Sunday, but if he is, probably not a lot of work for him. J.J. mcCarthy is out. Carson Wentz in at quarterback for the Vikings. I think there's a good chance Jordan Mason gets 20 or more carries this week and you can run on the Cincinnati Bengals. I don't know how much you want backup quarterback Carson Wentz dropping back to throw when the Vikings are missing two key offensive linemen. Christian Darasaw, their left tackle, has not been able to return from his 2024 knee injury yet. I don't know if he comes back this week. Probably not. Viking center Ryan Kelly got a concussion last week and he's got a pretty worrisome concussion history, so I doubt he plays this week. I mean you if you're worried about your offensive line, you want to run more than you pass backup offensive lineman. I think you worry about less in the running game than in the passing game. So I really do think this is going to be a run heavy game for the Vikings and it sets up really well for Jordan Mason.
Chris Welsh
Yeah, the context too of like having a quarterback, you know, a new quarterback come into the offense and I mean the Niners kind of dispelled it. I thought last week it was like, maybe you don't want Mac Jones to throw the ball a whole bunch. You want to go to McCaffrey? Nope. They did that. I could definitely see that. But if anything, if they were to pass the ball, it's going to just probably create more of an efficiency side for Jordan Mason. And he just looks great. Like we're all, look at him, Erickson. We're like, just give him more carries. Well, guess what, he gets the carries this week. You've got him at RB1.
Andrew Erickson
Yeah, he's been one of the few bright spots I think in the Vikings offense over the last two weeks. Like he's added a lot of juice to this offense when he's gotten attempts and again he hasn't seen that much volume. But now the volume floodgates are opening up for him with Aaron Jones out. So efficiency wise, he's been top 10 in rushing yards above expectation through two weeks. And just to point out the specific matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, their run defense, specifically against inside tackle runs, 32nd in the NFL through two weeks. I mean, Travis ETM was running wild against the Cincinnati Bengals on these inside runs. Jordan Mason, 5.2 yards per carry running inside this season. Yeah, I think it's Jordan Mason all wheels up and I think that he can be used as a three down bell cowboy. I mean this is the reason I went out and got him. Like they, the Vikings did not draft a running back. They went out and traded for Jordan Mason because like this guy we can lean on. We saw what he did without McCaffrey last year. Second the NFL and rushing yards before his injury behind only Saquon Barkley last season filling in for McCaffrey. They know what Jordan Mason can do and I think they're going to feature him.
Chris Welsh
And hopefully this does give this answer because I would predict one of the biggest questions this week is going to be these big names, Jordan Mason or like I'm looking at this even in the consensus above, it's going to be Jordan Mason or Chase Brown. I don't know. Do you guys. Just real quick, do you guys have Jordan Mason above Chase Brown this week?
Matt Jones
I do.
Chris Welsh
Okay, so I agree. And then you're going to Start getting like the Devon Hns versus and I think it becomes a question if you go like any crazy too higher. But like hopefully this kind of helps in a comfort level for everybody because I know you guys are going to say some big names or Jordan Mason and a majority of the time it is going to be Jordan Mason. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. We turn to some funny places for support, but not everybody's a therapist. You can find your right match though, with better help. We've all done this before. We've sparked up a conversation with someone at the grocery store or we start talking a bunch to a brand new friend. And as fun as it can be to talk about everyday topics, you might want to not unload everything about, you know, relationships, anxiety, depression, clinical issues. They might not have all the answers. Instead, get guidance from a credentialed therapist online with Better Help. BetterHelp, they do the initial matchmaking process for you so you can focus on the therapy goals. They've got 10 years of experience doing this with industry leading match fulfillment rates which typically mean that they get it right the first time. This is all done completely online. You can pause your subscription whenever you need to and you can switch therapists anytime at no extra cost. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. And it's convenient too. You can join a session with a therapist at the click of a button. As the largest online therapy provider in the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of Expertise. Find the one with better help. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com fantasyprospod that's better help. H E L P.com fantasyprospod hey, this is Matt Jones.
Drew Franklin
And I'm Drew Franklin and this is NFL Cover Zero. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining. And twice a week that is exactly what you're gonna get. We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different. Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Looks like something that should not be sold. Oh my. So that was my other big Colts takeaway. They sold that?
Matt Jones
Yes.
Drew Franklin
Might wanna go back to the Colts stadium. Yeah, I might wanna go back to the drawing board on that.
Andrew Erickson
Yeah.
Drew Franklin
I thought the shape we had with pretzels was working pretty well.
Andrew Erickson
It's worked for generations.
Drew Franklin
We're just here trying to enjoy it. We hope you all will join us throughout the year. And let's go. I hope I'm as youthful as Pete Carroll is at his age. He's a young 73. He is a young 73. He is spry. I wouldn't fight him. I would listen to NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast.
Daniel Jeremiah
What's up everybody? Daniel Jeremiah here and I'm Bucky Brooks. On Move the Sticks. We take you inside the game. From scouting reports and player development to.
Drew Franklin
Team building philosophies, coaching trends and how front offices construct winning rosters.
Daniel Jeremiah
Every week we study the tape, talk to decision makers and share the insights you won't find anywhere else.
Drew Franklin
It's the kind of conversation that connects the dots. From college football prospects to the NFL stars of tomorrow.
Daniel Jeremiah
We break down the draft, analyze matchups and evaluate how teams put it all together on game day.
Drew Franklin
Plus, we dig into coaching strategies, roster construction and the trends that shape the league year after year.
Daniel Jeremiah
Whether you're a die hard fan or just love understanding the game on a deeper level, we give you the full picture.
Drew Franklin
If you want insight that goes beyond the box score, this podcast is for you.
Daniel Jeremiah
Don't miss it. Listen to the Move the Six podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Chris Welsh
I'm Dan, he's Ty. Hello and we're the Solid Verbal College Football Podcast.
Andrew Erickson
College football season is here and you know what that means.
Chris Welsh
Your team is going to break your heart three times, probably before Halloween. Uh huh.
Andrew Erickson
But fear not, the Solid Verbal will.
Chris Welsh
Be right there with you through every soul crushing loss and impossible comeback. Join us all season long, all year long as we ride the roller coaster of this ridiculous sport.
Andrew Erickson
Whether you're a diehard fan or a casual observer, we'll help you make sense.
Chris Welsh
Of all the chaos and of course celebrate the madness.
Andrew Erickson
Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you.
Chris Welsh
Won'T hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan. We don't just love college football, Ty, we love live it.
Andrew Erickson
Listen to the Solid verbal college football podcasts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Chris Welsh
Let's look at RV2s for this week. Starting with number 13, Ashton Genty, Travis Etienne, James Conner, Kyron Williams, Breece hall coming in at 18 as Alvin Camara followed by Javante Williams, Ken Walker at 20, Chuba Hubbard, Tony Pollard and Marian Hampton and Jaylen Warren Ashton Genty was the player that was bumped out of this. He was ECR12 before Jordan Mason jumped in. And I think a very common question, Andrew is going to be that do I start Ashton Genti or Jordan Mason? And I think the clear cut answer based on your guys's ranks clearly right here is that it's Jordan Mason. Genti comes in at 13, you've got him at 16, Fitz has got him at ECR. You are a little bit lower. There's a lot of questions about Genti's just, I mean looks decent when he's out there, but it's just overall efficiency. Dude can't pass block. You're going to have to get him out of pass blocking situations whatsoever. They just can't get anything going. So what's your level of excitement outside of like yeah, he's numerical 16 this week. What's your optimism on Ashton Genti?
Andrew Erickson
I think that it's kind of lukewarm. I don't think that he's looked terrible as a rusher. I think that he's been as advertised in terms of his tackle breaking because every time that he touches the ball he has to break a tackle because, because he's not getting much front from a blocking perspective from his offensive line. So I, I do want to mention that the Raiders were missing an offensive line in, in their Monday night game. Jacks Powers Johnson did not play. So if he gets comes back, that's a boost for their offensive line. But I mean when it comes to just tackle breaking on rushing attempts, he's third in the NFL in force missed tackles. Bijan, JT and Gibbs are the only other guys that have more force missed tackles than Ash and Genti. So that was his calling card at the college level. So he's doing his job at least from a rushing and breaking tackles perspective. Now like you said, the pass pro could use some work. He's still making some rookie mistakes. There was a play where Geno kind of went to hand off the ball to Genti and he was going the other way and then what do you know, he wasn't in on the next drive because they're like, all right dude, you got to get, you got to figure out the play call. So I think that he's going through some growing pains as a rookie and I don't think the commanders have necessarily been a as bad of a run defense as they were specifically last year. But where they have been bad this year is in the red zone. So I think Genti can still find the End zone. I don't think the Raiders are just going to not score any points, especially if they're going up against a backup quarterback in Marcus Mariota. I think Jenny's going to get a lot of opportunities and he's going to see a lot of touches. So I think that the volume is there but probably more of a floor play this week than super high ceiling. We just need Genti to get a soft defensive matchup before we really think I see him have a breakout spot. I mean two of his matchups so far this year haven't been necessarily great, but I think you still got to be patient with him and I think that there's enough volume where he'll be a floor play.
Chris Welsh
I think the frustration has come from like I'm a little surprised. I just thought he'd be used more in the passing game. Like just get him into some open field, especially if you can't block. And I think that's where the frustration of the upside kind of lays. This is not a trade show but I think think we probably are going to agree like for the most part, like he's just an ultimate buy low right now. Like I think there's just a lot of like negatives that are all these rookie running backs. There's negatives built around. But Genti is a little bit different because people, you know getting sold on the idea that he could be the number one overall player. A he doesn't look like it be the offensive line stinks. You can't trust him in third downs and he's not to be involved in pass in the passing game a ton. If some of those start to alter soft defenses being involved in the passing game, that's where you know like he is breaking tackles. He can be an explosive player. We're just waiting for it to happen and hopefully it does. I think we're all Fitzy. What do you think about Genti? You are a little bit higher. You're right on consensus. The volume really isn't the big question with him. It's just about like what does that volume end up doing. Doesn't help when Geno Smith throws like 1200 interceptions in a game. But what do you think about Genti?
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean I don't think anyone should be freaking out over Genti's slow start. Like yes, he's averaging 2.7 yards per carry, he's averaging half a yard per targets. But as Erickson said, the Raiders run blocking has been pretty shabby so far. They ranked dead last in FTN's adjusted line yards metric. And that's the biggest reason I'm ranking Genti outside the top 12 at running back this week. But do not doubt Ashton Genti's talent. Like, he really is terrific. Well, Shoe said it. We've seen the tackle breaking ability, you know, and the contact balance is really his special sauce. There are big days coming. Maybe he has one against the commanders. I mean, it's not a soft matchup, but it's definitely not a matchup to fear either. So you, you got to just keep starting this guy.
Chris Welsh
You guys have some questions though about ECR running back number 15, James Conner. James Conner coming in at 15. You guys both hand in hand are saying 22. So you know it's not. You didn't boot him or anything like that. But you do not see, I think when you're top like 15, 16, it's. You're kind of like must start. When you start to get into the 20s, I think people can start to find some justification fits. What's got you down on James Conner?
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm surprised Erickson is so bullish. Normally he's pretty good at, you know, wetting a finger and holding it up to see which way the wind is blowing. And yeah, maybe not in this case, like because we are seeing James Conner lose work to Trey Benson and Connor played only five more snaps than Benson in Week 2. Benson actually ran more routes than Connor in that game. I just don't know if we should still be viewing Connor as a workhorse. Like this might be more of a split backfield. It seems like things are starting to tilt a little bit in Benson's favor. Not that I think he's going to overtake Connor, but maybe it's more 55, 45, 50, 50 than it has been in the past. Plus the road matchup against the 49ers isn't an especially easy one. So, yeah, I'm a little cool on Connor this week.
Chris Welsh
Yeah, well, Erickson not bullish. Same rank as you. So 22. What do you think, Erickson?
Andrew Erickson
Well, yeah, I was originally higher on James Conner and it was actually more of just like a. An overlap from last week when I went on a limb and like put him really high against the Panthers and then he great matchup last week and then he just did not deliver. And part of the was just because the Panthers like had the ball the entire game because they just kept turning it over to the Arizona Cardinals. So. But that goes into why Connor needs to be viewed more as a RB2 than an RB1, because the last two weeks he's been RB20 and RB25 and half PPR despite playing the Saints and the Panthers. Two really great matchups for James Conner, which is why I like drafting him in draft season because man, this guy has a perfect layout to start the year. Easy matchups and he's just been kind of okay through the first two weeks. His efficiency actually has not been that great in terms of success rate. Fitz outlined how they're using Trey Benson a little bit more. I thought it was kind of interesting. Trey Benson like took over that entire two minute drive which is why his receptions and routes run were so significantly higher than James Conner was. So again, yeah, Connor is going to get touches, he's going to get goal line opportunities still in this offense. But this is the toughest run defense that the Cardinals have faced. Yes, with the 49ers and when you look at them top and bottom, the only thing that they really struggle with is like quarterback scrambles. So you might see more Kyler Murray rushing around versus James Conner ripping off these big runs because we really haven't seen that for him through two weeks. So maybe showing his age just a little bit as an older running back. And Trey Benson has looked explosive. So Connor definitely a more of an RB2 play.
Chris Welsh
Yeah, I throw out too is like a contextual 49er thing. But like the Niners are probably more likely to spy Warner on a Kyler Murray, which creates opportunities for McBride because when Warner was not doing coverage, Duan Johnson was kind of eating the Niners up a little bit. He had a couple of big drops when they were just putting safeties on him. So if you're going to put safeties or like an Upton Stout or something like a nickel corner on McBride, that's actually a really good opportunity for McBride this week because I would assume they're going to spy. So just as a little aside, there had nothing to do with Conor, by the way, but it just made me think of that we had to talk about this guy because how one week has completely changed. Not completely, but it has changed. Like the tone of how we talk about Ken Walker. We were out in week one. We're kind of back ECR is 20. It's adjusted itself. It was actually, I believe, 17 just a day ago. He's moved down to 20. Both of you guys are higher than consensus. The snap percentage was worrisome, it was low. But what he did when he got his touches was big. So Erickson, you've got him at 16. Fitz has got him at 17. What's your level of com? I mean, your rank speaks for it, but, like, where are you at in an actual level of confidence with Ken Walker this week?
Andrew Erickson
I think he's got to trust the talent with Ken Walker because from a workload perspective, we have no idea how the Seahawks are necessarily going to deploy their players. I mean, have you ever seen a box score where the leading ball carrier had 15 carries for 10 yards and the other guy had 13 carries for over 100 yards? Like, that is just. That is absolutely bonkers. You have one guy running for over eight yards of carry and then one guy below one yard.
Chris Welsh
And by the way. And by the way, if you then blindly shoot showed the snap percentage and then the stats, you'd be like, what? Like what? Just throw that out there.
Andrew Erickson
So. So really, it's really hard to project exactly what the touch workload is going to look like. But we do know the Seahawks like to run the football. Like, I think that Charbonnet and Walker are going to get enough touches where if one of them is efficient, then that player will be a good play in this particular week. And that's what we saw from Ken Walker. The Seahawks were talking about, we want to run more of the outside zone. That's what Ken Walker is best at, and that's why he thrived in this past matchup. So I think that that's still the right move in the right direction to go into because of how well he's been running in the outside zone. So I like this particular matchup for Ken Walker to expose the defense he's going up against versus Charbonnet, who I don't think fits nearly the type of scheme that Kubiak is running as good as Ken Walker does. And so even though the snaps were in favor of Charbonnet last week, and that is always a concern, if Charbonnet is out snapping him, how is Ken Walker going to score as many points? Well, you're just. You're just banking on an explosive player that fits his rushing scheme, hitting on a few big plays, and that worked last week. So, I mean, Ken Walker is first in the NFL in success rate through two games. I think they're going to continue to feature Again, if I had to make a bet on who's going to probably more snaps this week, it would probably be Ken Walker. If they go back and watch the tape, like, yeah, we probably should get Ken Walker the ball more.
Matt Jones
Yeah.
Chris Welsh
And Fitzy, I think if anything, it's just like, I feel like we know a little Bit more like we saw him be. You just wanted to see Ken Walker be successful. Is he going to be the primary guy? No. You just feel like we've got a better grasp of what Ken Walker is and what is a pretty good matchup here. Is that kind of a relative push to where you've got him ranked?
Matt Jones
Yeah, I mean there were so many questions in our fantasy pros discord last week about Ken Walker and getting out snapped 30 to 21 by Zach Charbonnet in week one. But I told people like I, I think it was largely related to Walker dealing with some foot soreness in August and the Seahawks feeling enough confidence in Charbonnet is a really good number two or you know, at least the, the one B to Walker's one A that they could like give him more snaps in a game and, and not fall off as a result. And I think that's what we saw. But like Walker was plenty Busy in week one, like 21 snaps and he touched the ball in 13 of them and either carried the ball or ran a route on 19 of them. And then last week we saw him do a terrific job. Erickson said it like the Seahawks got that outside zone going last week and they just ran over the Steelers with Kenneth Walker. I think it's still going to be a two man backfield this week. I kind of expect something close to 50, 50. And even though Zach Charbonnet didn't play well against the Steelers, I don't think we should read too much into that. Like I've still got him ranked running back 30 this week and a really good matchup against the Saints where the Seahawks are favored by more than a touchdown at home and should have a run friendly game script. So I think Walker is a must start this week. The Kubiak running game, like I'm a big believer in it. It's just a really good spot and I don't think Charbonnet is a bad play either.
Chris Welsh
Oh, oh, Marion Hampton, you come in at ECR RB23. The last one we're going to talk about in the RB2s. Fitzy, you've got him at 23. Erickson, you've got him at 26. I think there's just a lot of frustration, a lot of stuff on like, you know, on film too that people look at and they're like what are we doing here? Fitzy, can you sell us a little bit on Marion Hampton like you you mentioned at the top of this show, just underperformance just in general from the rookies Najee Harris getting a little bit more involved. What's your confidence level on Amarian Hampton?
Matt Jones
Yeah, I'm going to say it's a hard case to make. Welsh like, my circle of trust with running backs in week three goes about 22 running backs deep and I've got Omarion Hampton ranked RB23. I'm still bullish overall on Hampton like, but it's, it's fair to be concerned about his Week 3 outlook against a pretty tough Denver defense. Hampton, at 8 carries for 24 yards against the Raiders on Monday night didn't look good. Coughed up a fumble late. Although the NFL wrongly charged the fumble to quarterback Justin Herbert, they should not have. That was, that was Clearly a Marion Hampton's fumble. The Snapchat for Najee Harris went from 18.5% in week one to 34.5% in week two. But I do think Hampton investors should be patient. At least prepare yourselves for the possibility of another lackluster game from your rookie running back. But that said, I still think Hampton is a terrific prospect who eventually gets going.
Chris Welsh
Oh, Erickson, what's your take? What do you think here? I mean this is a bad matchup. Snap percentage going in the wrong direction. Stats are going in the wrong direction. Fumble. To me it has everything that you don't cut. Just get them on the bench and don't let them do it this week. That's kind of my take on it. I don't think I'm going to have Hampton very high because I think you're probably better suited taking some shots in some other directions, especially with the defensive matchup. Not saying you're doing that. You got him at 26. This is still like relatively close to startable range. But what do you think?
Andrew Erickson
He's definitely someone I'm trying to find other alternatives than starting o' Marion Hampton to some of the points that Fitz laid out. Just the optics of the situation haven't been great. And the thing that's most frustrating about Hampton and you know why we were excited about him, was this was his chance to really take this running back role and run off with it. Like he was teed up because Hanaji was a non factor through all training camp through the first couple games like this is Hampton's backfield. Well he had his chance, he had a shot and he blew it. Like he like didn't convert. He didn't end up making the type of statement to take over this backfill that we thought that he might be able to do as a first round pick. Taking out the running back position. The other thing, the issue is with Greg Roman. He hasn't been really involved in the passing game, which was one of the bigger things he did at unc. And Greg Roman is kind of doing the same thing that he's done in past offices where he's not having Justin Herbert check the ball down to his running backs. And honestly, I don't blame him because Justin Herbert is really fun to when he throws all these wide receivers making big plays down the field. And then when Herbert's not doing that, Herbert's running with his own legs, which is also contributing to the fact of a lack of a target share for these running backs. So I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see even more of Najee Harris, unfortunately. And it goes back to kind of like I think our consensus take beforehand was that Najee Harris was going to be in the thorn to the side of Hampton, but this was ball before the eye injury thing kind of happened and then we kind of adjusted our expectations. Well, it's like, well, no, now he should be teed up to start the year as the guy and now I think we have to go back to what we thought before the injury happened with Naja Harris in his eye. So yeah, I think he's going to be frustrating start the next couple of weeks, but hopefully he can turn it around.
Chris Welsh
RB's 25 through 36 are RB3s coming up. But first, dominate your fantasy football league with Fantasy pros Premium now available free for six months when you deposit and place your first wager wager on one of our partner sportsbooks. This is the easiest way to get access to our top fantasy tools all season long. Don't miss this opportunity and go to fantasypros.com premium to get started. Our final RBs here, starting at 25, we've got J.K. dobbins, DeAndre Swift, David Montgomery, Bill Crosby Merritt, Nick Chubb. Coming in at 30 is Isaiah Pacheco. Ramandre Stevenson, Travion Henderson, Quinshawn Jutkins, Zach Charbonnet, Baan Tootle. Baan Tootle, Bashal Tutin and Cam Scatabu. Slow it down a little bit here. Isaiah Pacheco. Let's talk about the Pacheco here for a minute. He's actually he was 29. He's moved down to 30 on this list. You guys are a little bit split on him. I still see nothing that makes me feel good about. I'm just going to continue kind of holding my take on Pacheco the entire Way through. But Erickson, you are the positive one. You've got him at 29. Fitzy, you've got him at 33. Let's get the positive take on Pacheco for week three.
Andrew Erickson
Erickson, I mean, is that rank really positive?
Chris Welsh
I mean, I, I heard it myself say it like positive air quotes.
Andrew Erickson
It's. It's very relative to. You know what, the expectations are very low for Isaiah Pacheco. This chief's offense is still looking like it needs answers and it needs guys to step up. I don't think that Pacheco has necessarily looked nearly as bad as his box score would suggest it is. They talked about on the broadcast of the Chiefs and Eagles game that the team feels like he's back to having similar juice do we had prior to his leg injury. So I don't think that the team is totally like, all right, we're ready to commit to Kareem Hunt as the bell Cow because we know that's not going to happen. Like Kareem Hunt's going to have his role. He's going to stumble around, pick up some yards, maybe score some touchdowns. I still think they want Pacheco to be the same guy that he was again prior to the injury. And I think this one just based on the matchup. I mean, the Giants have given up the most rushing yards per game allowed this season through two weeks. So it's almost kind of that now or never. If Pacheco is ever going to turn back the clock, he's ever going to show the juice, it's got to be when all the Chiefs receivers are hurt. Patrick Holmes leads the team in rushing like they need answers and Pacheco has to be that guy. So maybe we see it on Sunday night. I would love to see it as someone that was investing into Pacheco having a couple dynasty spots as well. So I think that he's worth the flyer. That's kind of why I'm quote unquote bullish on Isaiah Pacheco. But again, sometimes you just got to lean into those matchups, even if the running backs are underperforming because sometimes it's as simple as, well, he faced the Giants and they can't stop the run.
Chris Welsh
So yo, Pacheco, Erickson's just sitting here in his white dress talking to R2D to just be like, help us, Isaiah Pacheco, you're our only hope.
Andrew Erickson
This is it.
Chris Welsh
I. Well, if real quick because I want to get Fitz's take just because you said that if he fails this week Is he a top 36 running back the following week? I don't look at the matchup. Don't even care about the matchup. I don't care about.
Andrew Erickson
I mean, unless Kareem Hunt is the one. So Kareem Hunt's the one that like, takes advantage of the job. Giants match.
Chris Welsh
I'm saying he got. He gets his 10 carries for 34 yards this week against the Giants.
Andrew Erickson
I think he's just. I think he just cut him.
Chris Welsh
Okay. Okay. That's what I, That's. That's where I wanted to jump ahead of. Yeah, exactly. All right, Fitzy, you've got him at 33.
Matt Jones
No, sir, 27.
Chris Welsh
Oh, yeah. You know what? I'm. I apologize. I looked at that completely wrong. That's my bad. He's ECR 30. Erickson had him at 32. Fitzy, you are 27. That is a. My bad thing. So you get a little bit more of the positive take on here for Isaiah Pacheco.
Matt Jones
Yes, it is matched. Which is why if Isaiah Pacheco does face plant this week. Yeah, we have big concerns about that because the giants, they ranked 32nd in DVOA against the run. Jacore Crosby merit average better than 8 yards per carry against them in Week 1. Javante Williams looked like pre injury, pre knee injury. Javante Williams against the Giants in week two. Like this. This is a get right spot for Pacheco. So yes, if he does not get right, you have reasons to be concerned.
Chris Welsh
I love that. I actually now you kind of fired me up a little bit. I'm kind of fired up about like this is get right situation. Going to be paying attention to him in the prop market and at least there's more confidence. Like if you needed to start him. All right. Another rookie that we've been talking about, Travion Henderson. Travion Henderson in ECR is now ranked below Ramondre Stevenson this week, comes in at ECR32. Fitzy, you've got him at 33, a little bit lower. Erickson's a little bit higher. Fitz, I want to get your take on Trayvon Henderson as you do it though. Who is higher? Henderson or. Or Stevenson for you this week?
Matt Jones
Oh, Ramondre, I think he has to be. I mean, he played what, 20 more snaps than Henderson? Actually, I've got them side beside. Side by side. Ramond Ray one spot higher.
Chris Welsh
And that's exactly how ECR in the ranks is going as well.
Matt Jones
Yeah, and maybe it should be, if anything, I mean, it should, should probably be a bigger gap in Stevenson's favor, like pass protection was really one of the selling points for Travion Henderson as a prospect. Like, he's, he's good at it, even though he's not a big guy, or at least he was in college. But he's really struggled in that area so far. I wonder if it might keep his usage down early in the season until the Patriots are convinced that he can capably protect franchise quarterback Drake. Maybe so. Henderson only played about 32% of New England's offensive snaps in week two, about half as many as Ramon Dre. And The Patriots gave 10 snaps to third string running back Antonio Gibson. So Henderson had just five touches last week. I don't fear the matchup against the Steelers, whose run defense has looked really bad so far this season, including against Kenneth Walker last week. But until we feel more confident about the workload for Travion Henderson, it's real hard to just keep throwing him into your lineup. I think you got to make other plans this week.
Chris Welsh
Yeah, I think one of the big selling points, Erickson, you tell me if I'm wrong here, and maybe this is based on your rank at all, is that one of the things the Steelers have definitely been doing is giving up plays, explosive plays, to like explosive backs. And that's something that Eric, that Erickson, that Henderson definitely can do. You can see him as a guy that can bust out a 40 yard run and maybe that gives the upside. But a lot of what Fitz was laying out kind of makes me feel that direction. What's your positive, you know, take on Henderson being a little bit higher than.
Andrew Erickson
Ecr, Leaning into the explosive element like you alluded to? You know, if we had just played the running back who played the more snaps before they faced the Steelers, then we would have played Zach Charbonnet over Ken Walker last week and that would have been the wrong take. So why? Why so after one week, Ramanjay. Week one looks terrible. Week two, he looks fantastic. You look at the Steelers again, they're bad against the outside zone. Like that is where they give up the plays in space. On the broadcast, all they talked about with Treven Henderson, get this guy in space. Get this guy in space. That wasn't needed necessarily against the Miami Dolphins. I think they're going to need that against the Pittsburgh Steelers. When you look at the outside zone runs this year, Henderson, 5.2 yards per carry outside zone or outside the tackle. Ramandre Stevenson, 1.6 yards per carry. So I'm kind of like afraid to buy into Stevenson because what if he Puts up a Zach Charbonnet S stat line where he's not the one that's efficient because he's not ripping off the explosive plays. Now, he had some against the Miami Dolphins, but a lot of that was on inside tackle rushes, not necessarily out in space. Whereas to your point, Welsh, they were. The Steelers were getting gashed by explosives. Like, that's what. That's Trayvon Henderson. That is who he is as a guy. That's what he's used best at, is generate explosive plays. He hasn't done that two weeks into his NFL career, but it's there like. So I think that they're going to see what the Steelers put on tape and realize, oh, man, like, we put Henderson out in space, like, they're not gonna be able to stop this guy. So I still have Henderson ranked over Stevenson this week just because of the matchup.
Chris Welsh
Specifically, final running back we're going to talk about. I think it's a super fascinating one and it's kind of why, like, when I talk about the like, clarity and the rookie thing, but the clarity thing of like, you're just having more guys, you feel your confidence levels rising up outside. You know, maybe the Trayvions and stuff is a guy like Cam Scatterboo. Cam Scatterboo. We kind of thought this might be later. It took over as far as carries by. By a wide margin on Tyrone Tracy. I think a lot of people are ready to. I wonder if we're too early on it, but ready. People are ready to anoint him as the starter, comes in at 36, looks better than Tracy in general. I'm kind of done with Tracy and you guys tend to agree. Erickson, you've got him at 33. Fitz, you've got him at 35. Ericsson, why don't you hit us with Cam Scatterboo? The. The usage last week is enough for you to be able to put him in as like a flexi type running back, correct?
Andrew Erickson
Yeah, because I think that he has. At least from what we saw, if they get into the red zone, he's going to get the rock. So that has touchdown equity attached to it. Again, you can move the ball with on the Chiefs with Malik Neighbors as your number one wide receiver. And I mean, he still catches dump off passes and he's a bowling ball when he gets the ball in his hands, whether it's a rush, whether it's a pass, whether it's. He's going to try to get every single yard possible. So you're going to get everything you hope for with Scam with Cam Scatabo. So that's for me, like, yeah, I think that he's in that conversation of again, the matchup is not great. Like the Chiefs are one of the top tier run defenses so that's always a concern, especially when you are the Giants offensive line and we don't know if Andrew Thomas is going to play. So it's definitely a stretch. But he's definitely someone that you want to have on your roster and someone that I would definitely rather start than Tyrone Tracy.
Chris Welsh
By the way, isn't it unfortunate how many times do you think he's called Scam? All the time. Like I call him. I do the same thing like Scam Battaboo. Like the you just, you can't do it. Cam Scatter Boo and it just, it's Scam comes out. It's really unfortunate name that's putting out there. But we'll, we'll go with Bowling Ball Fitzy. Do you think Cam Scatter Boo AKA Scam is the back over Tyrone Tracy starting in Week three?
Matt Jones
I do and I think the hostile takeover of the Giants backfield began last week. Scatter Boo led the Giants backfield in snapshot carries and routes and he looked really good. Like he had 11 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown which does not include a 12 yard run where he absolutely trucked one of the Dallas defensive backs only to have that run called back by a penalty. Also had a couple of catches for 12 yards. Tyrone Tracy is returning kickoffs for the Giants, which strikes me as kind of a tell that the Giants see him as the number two. Like the only reason I don't have Scatterboo in my top 30 this week is because of the matchup against the Chiefs defense. That's always tough against the run.
Chris Welsh
Well, if you guys got more questions which I know you're going to end up having if we didn't answer it here a you can go to fantasypros.com rankings and you can check out where the rankings adjust and move around for your start and sit stuff. But if what we talked about didn't answer your start and sit, We've got a YouTube live for you where we are literally just sitting there for an hour doing your start and sick questions. Thursdays at 3pm Eastern, every Thursday at 3pm Eastern. So those on the pod go to YouTube.com fantasypros and if you subscribe you can make sure to put on notifications so you do not miss that. Those are your week three rankings. Hopefully we hit everything you guys want for Pat Fitz, Morrison and Andrew Erickson. I'm Chris Welsh and good luck this week and we'll talk to you next time right here on Fantasy Pros.
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Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (FantasyPros segment)
Date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Andrew Erickson, Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”)
This episode of the FantasyPros Football Podcast delivers an in-depth breakdown of the Week 3 running back (RB) landscape for fantasy football managers. Host Chris Welsh, alongside experts Andrew Erickson and Pat Fitzmaurice, analyze the top-36 RB rankings (based on the consensus ECR from FantasyPros), debate difficult start/sit decisions, discuss rookie RB outlooks, and highlight key situations where unexpected players (like Jordan Mason) have emerged as must-starts due to injuries and evolving depth charts. The panel blends data-driven analysis with practical advice to help listeners set the smartest lineup for Week 3.
The panel emphasizes following the rankings at FantasyPros.com for up-to-date moves and encourages joining their weekly Start/Sit YouTube Live Thursdays at 3pm ET for individual lineup questions.
Summary created for fantasy football managers seeking actionable, expert-driven insights into the most pressing Week 3 RB decisions and storylines.