Coming into the 2019 season, running backs were expected to be the most prominent position in fantasy football. After Week 1, running backs didn't disappoint with two of them being in the top three fantasy scorers this week.
Both Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler helped plenty of fantasy football savants to victory in their Week 1 matchup. McCaffrey was able to lead all running backs with 42.9 fantasy points in ESPN Standard PPR (points per reception) leagues.
Along with McCaffrey, Ekeler was able to help the Los Angeles Chargers secure a win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Chargers were confident that Ekeler could replace the production of Melvin Gordon and he did just that on Sunday.
The Chargers running back found the end zone three times on his way to garnering 39.4 fantasy points. Now, we look forward to Week 2 to see what running backs are on their way to fantasy relevancy.
In this article, all of the picks are made based on PPR scoring and can be used in season-long or DFS (daily fantasy sports) leagues.
With that being said, here are the running backs to start or sit in your fantasy football lineups in Week 2.
RBs to Start in Week 2
Titans' Derrick Henry (vs. Colts)
The Tennessee Titans showed in Week 1 that they want to give Derrick Henry a larger workload in 2019. Henry rumbled his way to 28.9 fantasy points in Week 1 as he tallied 159 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on Sunday.
The Alabama product will look to continue his success against the Colts in Week 2. As previously mentioned, Ekeler was able to have his way with the Colts in Week 1 with 154 total yards and three touchdowns.
Patriots' Sony Michel (vs. Dolphins)
Many fantasy football players were anxious to see how Sony Michel would be utilized in the New England Patriots offense in 2019. The second-year running back struggled to get anything going against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.
Michel rushed for just 14 yards on 15 carries in Week 1. This week, expect Michel to bounce back in a big way against the Miami Dolphins, who allowed the third-most fantasy points to RBs in Week 1.
Jaguars' Leonard Fournette (vs. Texans)
In just a matter of two years, Leonard Fournette has gone from being an up and coming star at running back; to a running back who is trying to keep his job. Fournette showed in Week 1 that he worked on catching the ball more with four receptions for 28 yards.
The Jaguars will likely lean on their bruising back while Nick Foles is out with a shoulder injury. Additionally, Fournette will be squaring off against the Houston Texans, who just allowed 36.6 fantasy points to the New Orleans Saints.
Other RBs to Start: Eagles' Jordan Howard (vs. Falcons), Lions' Kerryon Johnson (vs. Chargers), 49ers' Matt Breida (vs. Bengals)
RBs to Sit in Week 2
Broncos' Phillip Lindsay (vs. Bears)
Last season, Phillip Lindsay was a feel-good story as an undrafted rookie out of Colorado. Lindsay rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2018 and earned his way into becoming the starter again in 2019.
On Monday night, Lindsay struggled against the Oakland Raiders with just 66 yards from scrimmage. In Week 2, the second-year running back will attempt to run on a Chicago Bears defense that allowed 39 yards on the ground in Week 1.
Dolphins' Kenyan Drake (vs. Patriots)
The assumption heading into 2019 was that Kenyan Drake was going to be the featured running back for the Dolphins. Instead, he touched the ball just six times in Week 1 versus the Baltimore Ravens.
At the same time, fellow running back Kalen Ballage was also given six touches in the offense on Sunday. Until Drake shows he is the go-to guy in the backfield, be wary of starting him in your lineup.
Steelers' James Conner (vs. Seahawks)
The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a rude awakening in their 33-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday Night Football. During the blowout loss, James Conner was never able to get into a rhythm on the ground.
Conner finished the game with just 21 yards on 10 rushing attempts. After playing a stout run-defense in the Patriots in Week 1, the Pittsburgh product will face the run-defense of the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, who allowed just 31 yards to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
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