Week 3 brings a handful of crucial backfield decisions, and matchup data points to clear favorites and fades at the position. Here's who deserves a spot in your lineup and who belongs on the bench this week.
Week 3 Start ‘Em
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Browns vs. Panthers— Judkins caught all 5 of his targets for 27 yards and tacked on 21 rushing yards in Cleveland's 23-19 win over Tampa Bay, giving him a perfect catch rate and a growing role in the passing game. That receiving usage matters even more this week: Carolina ranks dead last in the NFL, allowing 224 rushing yards per game, by far the worst mark in the league. Judkins is Cleveland's clear early-down and red-zone back, and against a Panthers front that can't stop anybody on the ground, he's set up for his best fantasy outing of the season.
David Montgomery, RB, Texans at Colts — Montgomery struggled in Week 2, managing just 10 yards on six carries against Cincinnati's stout run defense while adding two catches for 14 yards. The good news is the matchup improves dramatically. Indianapolis has surrendered 294 rushing yards on just 56 attempts through two games against opposing running backs, a bloated 5.3 yards-per-carry average that ranks among the league's worst. Montgomery still commands roughly 52% of Houston's backfield snaps and remains the clear early-down and goal-line option. Facing a Colts defense that's been gashed on the ground through two weeks, expect a bounce-back workload and production.
Breece Hall, RB, Jets at Lions — Hall was the workhorse in Week 2, piling up 21 touches (5 catches) for a combined 92 yards which was good for 14.2 PPR points, however he backup running mate Braelon Allen vultured a touchdown in the redzone. That volume alone makes him a strong start in Week 2 despite averaging just 1.8 YPC against a stout Green Bay run defense. Detroit's defense has been middling against the run this season giving up the fifth most rushing yards per game after just allowing James Cook and the Bills to gash them for 203 yards on the ground.
Article Continues BelowWeek 3 Sit ‘Em
De'Von Achane, RB, Dolphins — Achane's Week 2 was inefficient; while he gained just 74 on the ground, he needed 20 carries to hit that mark for just 3.7 YPC. He was barely a factor in the passing game, catching 3 passes for 19 yards in a game where Miami was playing catch-up all game, which is a bad sign. The matchup gets tougher, not easier. Kansas City enters Week 3 as an 11.5-point favorite over Miami, an enormous spread that signals a lopsided game script where the Dolphins may abandon the run altogether. The Chiefs also rank top-10 in rushing yards allowed per game. Between the negative game script and a stingy Kansas City front, Achane is a risky start this week.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers — Warren posted a modest line in Week 2, rushing for 43 yards on 11 carries and catching 2 passes for 34 yards. Even with the potential workload increase with the Rico Dowdle injury, this week's matchup is a real problem. Cincinnati's defense has allowed just 74.5 rushing yards per game, the third-stingiest mark in the NFL. With the Bengals favored by 3.5 points and boasting one of the league's best run defenses, Warren's already-limited ceiling shrinks further. He's a bench candidate in all but the deepest lineups this week.
Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings — Jones took advantage of the added opportunity with Jordan Mason on IR with a finger injury, rushing for 105 yards on 23 carries in Week 2, but he was a non-factor through the air, with no catches on the day. While that is a very good workload for Jones heading into Week 3, the road matchup doesn't help. Tampa Bay ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at just 75.0. Facing one of the league's toughest run defenses and with Kyler Murray back under center, Kevin O'Connell may look to air it out more against this Tampa Bay secondary that let Deshaun Watson throw for 238 yards and 2 touchdowns while completing 80% of his passes.