The 2020 NFL season has seen Week 1 come and go with quite a few entertaining games and even more excitement surrounding Week 2. Many fans were simply ecstatic to see live football on TV and things will start to come back to normal this week, as well as being able to play fantasy football.
One of the major storylines entering Week 1 was exactly what the Kansas City Chiefs should be expecting from Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Well, the Chiefs were pleasantly surprised with the performance they received from the rookie back.
Around the NFL, there are quite a few rookie running backs playing big roles. Names like Jonathan Taylor, JK Dobbins, D'Andre Swift, Zack Moss, and Cam Akers are all intriguing players to keep an eye on. In Week 2, they will be asked to handle large loads once again.
From a Fantasy Football perspective, some of these running backs are being relied on as RB2 options. It can be a scary thing to plug a rookie into a lineup, but there are a few rookie backs who are must-play options entering Week 2.
All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at what fans and Fantasy Football players should be expecting from the rookie running backs entering Week 2 action.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
In Week 1, Edwards-Helaire put on a show against the Houston Texans. He carried the football 25 times for 138 yards and a score.
Edwards-Helaire didn't make a single reception against the Texans, but that should change moving forward. He is a dual-threat running back who the Chiefs are going to continue to get the football to in bunches. This week, the Chiefs are ready to take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
Due to the Chargers not having a great defense, the expectations should be high for Edwards-Helaire. He should be able to rack up another 100 rushing yards and a touchdown to go along with five receptions for 40 yards and possibly another score. Edwards-Helaire is a borderline fantasy football RB1 and a surefire RB2 for Week 2.
D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
One rookie running back who had a heartbreaking finish to Week 1 was the Lions' D'Andre Swift. On the final drive of the game, the Lions were looking to beat the Chicago Bears. Matthew Stafford made a beautiful pass to Swift in the end zone with under 10 seconds to play, but the rookie dropped the pass and the Lions lost the game.
Swift ended up carrying the football just three times in his NFL debut for eight yards and a touchdown. He caught three passes for 15 yards.
Entering Week 2 against the Packers, no one should be expecting huge things from Swift. Adrian Peterson took the No. 1 running back job and ran with it. Swift will probably end up with around five carries for 20 yards, with two receptions for 15 yards as well.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts suffered a severely disappointing 27-20 loss at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. They also lost starting running back Marlon Mack for the season due to a torn Achilles. That has increased the Fantasy Football value of Jonathan Taylor immensely.
Taylor will be the new starting back for the Colts and will get a lot more touches than he would have otherwise. He recorded just 22 yards on nine carries in his debut, but did have a big game through the air with six catches for 67 yards.
Indianapolis will be taking on the Minnesota Vikings this week, who just got torn up by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense in Week 1. Taylor should have a much better game as the starting running back. It would be reasonable to expect 20 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown to go along with five receptions for 45 yards.
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Entering the 2020 NFL Draft, J.K. Dobbins was considered to be one of the most electrifying playmakers available. The Ravens were happy to scoop him up despite the fact that they have Mark Ingram as their starter.
During his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns, Dobbins ended up carrying the football seven times for 22 yards and two touchdowns. He did not record a reception during the game.
Dobbins isn't going to score two touchdowns in Week 2 against the Texans. In fact, Fantasy Football players shouldn't put him in the lineup. Ingram is still the starter and it's too risky to throw Dobbins on the field.
It would be reasonable to expect seven carries for 30 yards without a score for Dobbins this week.
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills
Another intriguing running back that might make Fantasy Football players consider throwing him into their lineup is the Bills' Zack Moss. Similar to J.K. Dobbins, Moss found the end zone which has boosted his value.
He ended up with just 11 yards on nine carries, but scored a touchdown through the air on three catches for 16 yards. Moss is another player that should not be put into a Fantasy Football lineup in Week 2.
Moss is playing behind Devin Singletary and that isn't going to change. He should be able to record 35 rushing yards on eight carries and another three receptions for 15 yards, but it won't be anything special. There is no question that he has potential for the future, but he is too risky of a play right now.
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams
Finally, there is one other rookie running back worth discussing heading into Week 2 of fantasy football. That would be Cam Akers of the Rams.
Akers carried the ball 14 times for 39 yards in Week 1 against the Cowboys. He also caught one pass for four yards. Once again, it's too early to begin plugging him into your Fantasy Football lineup.
There is a chance that Akers could be the starting back in L.A. by the end of the season, but that isn't the case right now. Malcolm Brown will continue receiving the bulk of the touches. Akers should end up with around 15 carries for 50 yards and another catch or two against the Eagles this week.
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