FantasyPros - Week 3 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, and Must-Starts (Ep. 1715)

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (FantasyPros segment)
Date: September 19, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Andrew Erickson, Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”)

Overview

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.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Running Back Clarity and Uncertainty (00:38–03:33)

• Injuries Leading to Opportunity
  • Aaron Jones is out, simplifying a previously crowded backfield and boosting Jordan Mason’s value ([01:51]).
• Evolving Roles:
  • The first two weeks have begun to clarify some murky backfields (like ETN/Jaguars, Dobbins, Javonte Williams), but others (like Seahawks') remain unpredictable.
  • “With two weeks of a sample size, I think we do feel better about some of these particular backfields. Although the Seahawks backfield… just continues to look like a headache.” — Andrew Erickson ([01:51])
• Rookie RB Questions
  • There’s skepticism about whether the 2025 rookie RB class was oversold, but both Chris and Pat urge patience ([03:09–03:33]).
  • “I think it's a really good class, and I think some of these guys are going to hit before long.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([03:28])

Top 12 Running Backs: Quick Hit Reactions (03:33–08:11)

• Live ECR Movement:
  • Jordan Mason rockets up from RB17 to RB12 after Aaron Jones’ injury; panel views him as a locked-in RB1.
  • “I think there's a good chance Jordan Mason gets 20 or more carries this week and you can run on the Cincinnati Bengals.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([05:09])
  • “He’s been top 10 in rushing yards above expectation through two weeks.” — Andrew Erickson ([06:51])
• Comparisons with Contenders
  • Mason is ranked ahead of Chase Brown, Devon Achane, etc. this week by all panelists ([08:11]).
• Running Back Room Rankings
  Top 6: Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Derek Henry, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook
  Next 6: Jameer Gibbs, Bucky Irving, Josh Jacobs, Devon Achane, Chase Brown, Jordan Mason

RB2s and Volume vs. Efficiency Debates (12:49–19:41)

Ashton Jeanty (RB13)

• Outlook: Productive in forced missed tackles, but concerns about pass blocking, rookie mistakes, and offensive line play ([13:48–15:17]).
• Summary: “He's third in the NFL in force missed tackles… But the pass pro could use some work, he's still making some rookie mistakes.” — Andrew Erickson ([13:48])

James Conner (RB15)

• Shift in Usage: Losing work to Trey Benson, diminishing must-start status.
  • “I just don't know if we should still be viewing Connor as a workhorse... Plus, the road matchup against the 49ers isn't an especially easy one.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([17:23])
• Panel Caution: Consensus ranks Conner as a lower-end RB2.

Ken Walker (RB20)

• Volatility in Snap Counts: Out-touched in snaps by Zach Charbonnet, but explosiveness and success rate keeps him in play.
  • “You're just banking on an explosive player that fits his rushing scheme, hitting on a few big plays, and that worked last week.” — Andrew Erickson ([21:21])
  • “Must-start this week. The Kubiak running game, like I'm a big believer in it... I don't think Charbonnet is a bad play either.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([22:52])
• Memorable Moment: “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?” — Andrew Erickson ([20:51])

Omari(on) Hampton (RB23)

• Frustration with Usage: Lackluster performance, tough Week 3 matchup, fumble issues, and Najee Harris snap growth ([24:51–26:19]).
  • “He had his chance, he had a shot, and he blew it. He didn't end up making the type of statement to take over this backfield that we thought he might.” — Andrew Erickson ([26:19])

RB3s and Deep Sleepers (27:50–38:32)

Isaiah Pacheco (RB30)

• Potential ‘Get Right’ Game: Struggled so far, but faces a weak Giants run defense this week.
  • “If Pacheco is ever going to turn back the clock... it's got to be when all the Chiefs receivers are hurt. Patrick Mahomes leads the team in rushing. Like, they need answers and Pacheco has to be that guy.” — Andrew Erickson ([29:08])
  • “This is a get right spot for Pacheco. So yes, if he does not get right, you have reasons to be concerned.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([31:29–32:02])
• Must-Perform Week: Panelists agree he’ll drop outside the top 36 if he underwhelms again.

Travion Henderson vs. Rhamondre Stevenson (RB32–33)

• Volume vs. Explosive Upside:
  • Stevenson has the snaps and safer floor; Henderson has the big-play ability, especially against a vulnerable Steelers defense.
  • “Henderson only played about 32% of New England's offensive snaps in week two… it's real hard to just keep throwing him into your lineup.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([32:35])
  • “The Steelers were getting gashed by explosives… That's Trayvon Henderson. That is who he is as a guy.” — Andrew Erickson ([35:50])

Cam Skattebo (RB36)

• Emergence as ‘Bowling Ball’ Flex: Outperformed Tyrone Tracy, seen as the red-zone back, even if matchup is tough (vs. Chiefs).
  • “I think the hostile takeover of the Giants backfield began last week. Skattebo led the Giants in snaps, carries, and routes. He looked really good.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([37:47])
  • “He's going to try to get every single yard possible. So you're going to get everything you hope for with Cam Skattebo.” — Andrew Erickson ([36:37])
• Fun Moment: Repeated accidental references to Skattebo as "Scam," and collective amusement at the name slip ([37:23]).

Rookie Running Back Landscape (Threaded Throughout)

• Panel Urges Patience: Talent is evident but role consolidation, pass-block issues, rookie mistakes, and competition from veterans (Najee Harris, Trey Benson, etc.) create week-to-week headaches.
• Buy-Low Window: “Ultimate buy-low,” especially for runners like Jeanty and Hampton, who’ve shown run-toughness but whose situations don’t yet match the preseason hype ([15:17]).

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “So efficiency wise, he's been top 10 in rushing yards above expectation through two weeks.” — Andrew Erickson, on Jordan Mason ([06:51])
• “I think there's a good chance Jordan Mason gets 20 or more carries this week and you can run on the Cincinnati Bengals.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([05:09])
• “Ken Walker is first in the NFL in success rate through two games. I think they're going to continue to feature [him].” — Andrew Erickson ([22:35])
• “If Pacheco fails this week, is he a top 36 running back the following week?... I think you just cut him.” — Andrew Erickson ([31:02])
• “Tyrone Tracy is returning kickoffs for the Giants, which strikes me as a tell that the Giants see him as the number two. The only reason I don’t have Skattebo in my top-30 this week is because of the matchup against the Chiefs.” — Pat Fitzmaurice ([37:47])

Timestamps of Notable Segments

• RB Room Clarity, Aaron Jones Injury: 00:38–01:51
• Rookie Class Panic or Patience: 02:38–03:33
• Jordan Mason RB1 Deep Dive & Comparison: 03:33–08:11
• RB2 Breakdown (Genti, Conner, Walker, Hampton): 12:49–26:19
• RB3 Tiers & Sleepers (Pacheco, Henderson, Skattebo): 27:50–38:32

Practical Takeaways for Week 3

• Jordan Mason is a consensus RB1 start due to Aaron Jones’ injury. He’s favored over similar-tier RBs like Chase Brown and Devon Achane.
• Ken Walker and Charbonnet will still split work, but Walker’s big play upside puts him as a strong RB2.
• Rookies (Jeanty, Hampton, Henderson) are high-upside but come with role and offensive-line risk; ride with them only if you must.
• James Conner might be slipping from workhorse status to just a solid RB2/flex, as rookie Trey Benson carves out more work.
• Isaiah Pacheco is in a final "prove-it" spot. If he fails against the Giants, it’s likely time to move on.
• Cam Skattebo is the 'sleeper' back in New York, nudging ahead of Tyrone Tracy as a desperation (RB3/flex) start, albeit with a tough matchup.

Final Note

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.