I’m back again to guide you through your running back start/sit questions and help you win the championship. Week 1 of the NFL Season is already here. Welcome to yet another NFL regular season and dynasty fantasy football season. This year will be a roller coaster like usual, filled with many highs and some lows. I’ll be here to help you navigate your lineups every week as you look towards winning that elusive championship. Enjoy the NFL season, and remember it is only around for 18 weekends. Watch as much as you can and soak it all in. It goes by fast, and you don’t want to miss out on the best parts.
Also, enjoy the chaos, as this fantasy football season is unlike anything we have ever experienced. It’s a scary sight looking out at the many running back committees. However, I’ll do my best to advise you on your running back start/sit needs. Look below at my running back start/sit for Week 1.
I’ll be helping the Nerd Herd out this season with some running back Start/Sit for that week of fantasy football. Analysis and reasoning will be provided for every player that I mentioned. I’m here to help you win your fantasy football week and, ultimately, the championship. You might remember me from last year as I covered the start/sit for running backs. This year, I’m again covering the running back start/sit.
Be sure to follow our other start/sit articles and authors; they contain great advice to help you each week.
Changing the Call (QB): Mike Hicks
The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver
Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook
12 Formation (TE): Steven Pintado
Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown
IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser
There is one thing I want to note. For this article and every running back start/sit article I write, I won’t include players like Christian McCaffrey or Austin Ekeler. These are apparent starts so long as they aren’t on bye or injured. If you don’t start them, well, you’re a Taco. I’ll be focusing on players who are a bit harder to decide whether to start or what to expect from them. All scoring in this article series will be PPR. All stats/RB# number finishes come from FantasyPros. So, let’s make this a great season as we watch over 200+ games of NFL football. It’s back! Good luck with this dynasty fantasy football season.
Week 1 Running Back Start/Sit
Start: Antonio Gibson, WAS, RB30
Perhaps new OC Eric Bienamy was just what the doctor ordered for Gibson’s career. He’s the perfect running back for the Commanders’ new offense. He’s a versatile weapon capable of going the distance on any carry. And he’s a strong pass catcher. He likely has a big role in this offense and could finally break out. It helps that he will be facing an awful defense in the Arizona Cardinals. Start Gibson, and he should be an easy RB2, if not RB1. That’s how much I believe in him. Also, fire up Brian Robinson as an RB2/3.
Start: Deon Jackson, IND, RB43
Look, the Colts have Anthony Richardson at quarterback, and despite their likely chance of being down big against the Jaguars, they still have to run the ball. Deon Jackson is that guy. He will take some of the workload off of the shoulders of Richardson. And he’s a proven pass-catcher, which will come in handy for Richardson. He should easily outperform his RB43 status. That’s surprisingly low for FantasyPros, so take advantage of that and fire him up. I’d expect him to score around 12-14 PPR points.
Start: Raheem Mostert, MIA, RB26
The Dolphins are without Jeff Wilson Jr., and Devon Achane is still coming off that shoulder injury. That means that Mostert is set up to get by far the most touches in the fast-paced and strong Dolphins’ offense. That’s good news, too, as they face the Chargers, who didn’t address their rushing defense. Combine that with a likely high-point total, and Mostert should easily get 14+ points. That takes a touchdown and 80 rushing yards or a few catches for decent yardage. Both are quite attainable for the fast-running back. Fire Mostert up to finish as at least an RB2.
Honorable Mention: Ezekiel Elliott, RB49
Sit: Breece Hall, NYJ, RB27
It’s Hall’s first game back from a Torn ACL, and he’s now in a timeshare with Dalvin Cook. Plus, it’s a new-look offense with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. All that is to say that I wouldn’t be starting Hall if I had other options. I’d at least set much lower expectations. Cook is healthy and will get the most touches as the Jets ease Hall back into playing. Plus, always lower expectations for players when they return from torn ACLs. They usually take at least four weeks, if not longer, before they start to get back like themselves. Look at recent cases like JK Dobbins, Saquon Barkley, and others. Unless Hall scores a touchdown, I’d be surprised to see him finish higher than RB30.
Sit: James Cook, BUF, RB25
Never trust a Buffalo Bills back. This is especially true until we see them commit to one back and until we see Josh Allen not rush as much. Cook is a pure in the 20s back. He will get used between the red zone, but the Bills brought in Damian Harris to serve as their goal-line back. Plus, he will get the short-yardage carries. This is a three-way committee, with Allen getting the bulk of the carries. Cook will have some big weeks, but he isn’t an RB2 yet. He only makes it that high if he scores a touchdown. I don’t believe in putting it all on the line for a touchdown every week. Plus, the Bills have a tough defense in the Jets. They won’t give up much ground in the run game. Look elsewhere for your running back spot.
Good luck this week with your running back start/sit dilemmas!
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As always, May the Force be with You…
