The running back position continues to give us surprise after surprise through the first two weeks of the NFL season. Who are some RB start/sit options for your fantasy football team in Week 3? Let’s take a closer look.
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Which RBs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Regardless of how you feel about another running back not named Bijan Robinson seeing 15+ carries a week in the Atlanta Falcons backfield, Tyler Allgeier is seeing enough work on a weekly basis to make him a Flex option at the position.
This week, he’ll face a Detroit Lions defense that surrendered two rushing scores to the Seattle Seahawks. Until we see otherwise, Allgeier seems like a safe bet to see 10+ touches on a weekly basis.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Speaking of those two rushing touchdowns against the Lions, Kenneth Walker III managed to save his fantasy day by finding paydirt twice in the team’s 37-31 overtime win in Week 2.
Walker significantly out-touched rookie RB Zach Charbonnet for a second consecutive week and appears to be the preferred back in this offense.
The Seahawks have a date with rookie quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, which could generate a game script that favors Walker seeing north of 20 total touches with TD upside.
Which RBs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears
For a second consecutive week, Khalil Herbert has failed to top 40 yards rushing or find the end zone as the team’s leading ball carrier.
This isn’t all Herbert’s fault. The team has failed to firmly establish an identity running the football, and the presence of rookie Roschon Johnson is further limiting Herbert’s opportunities to produce top-20 RB numbers in this offense.
MORE: Early Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Week 3
Unless the Bears’ running game improves drastically over the next week, Herbert is a potential game script victim against the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs offense.
Not to mention, the Chiefs only gave up 48 yards rushing to the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs in Week 2. This feels like Herbert could be a TD-dependent option in Week 3. I would go with other options if you have them available.
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
Oddly enough, the Houston Texans’ passing offense has been far more productive than most anticipated heading into the 2023 season. But this production through the air hasn’t helped generate enough scoring opportunities to benefit running back Dameon Pierce.
Pierce’s 26 carries for just 69 yards with no rushing scores have made him one of the more disappointing players in fantasy football through the first two weeks.
Unfortunately, his matchup in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars — who have given up just 93 yards rushing to opposing running backs through the first two weeks of the season — isn’t likely to make things easier on the ground.
Until Pierce starts giving us a bit more with his touches, he probably needs to find his way to your bench.
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts
What a 2023 debut by running back Zack Moss! His 107 total yards on 22 touches and a score certainly gave the Colts offense a boost in their 31-20 Week 2 win over the Houston Texans.
So, why is Moss appearing on the sit ’em list?
Well, the matchup against a stout Baltimore Ravens defense — who haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown or 60-yard rusher this season — should make life a bit more difficult for the Colts’ offense.
Moss is definitely a waiver wire target this week but beware of starting him against the Ravens.
Trending Searches for RB Start/Sit
Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!
It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity!
Should You Start Tyler Allgeier or Isiah Pacheco?
When looking at the respective touches for each player through the first two games, Allgeier looks to have an edge in weekly usage. Isiah Pacheco has 20 carries to Allegeier’s 31 up to this point of the season.
However, Pacheco feels like the preferred — and top — option in a high-powered backfield, while Allegeier is playing alongside arguably the league’s most dynamic back in Bijan Robinson.
The matchup also favors the Chiefs this week, who are going up against the Chicago Bears. Chicago allowed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to rush for over 100 yards, which hasn’t happened very often since the start of the 2022 season.
Give me Pacheco this week.
Should You Start Zack Moss or Alexander Mattison?
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison has drawn two of the toughest run defenses in the league to start the 2023 season, and his poor efficiency on a per-touch basis confirms those narratives.
Luckily, the matchup gets a bit easier against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3, which should help produce more scoring opportunities and running lanes to get this Vikings rushing attack back on track.
MORE: Early Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups
On the flip side, Moss had a fantastic 2023 debut but will be squaring off against the vaunted Ravens defense with either a rookie or backup quarterback.
I’ll take Mattison this week in a bounce-back performance.