Entering the second week of the NFL season, the running back position seems to be as confusing as ever.
Joique Bell managed to pick up two touchdowns, and Marshawn Lynch, who was a lot of leagues’ No. 3 overall pick, only picked up 43 yards and didn’t score a touchdown.
Heading in to Week 2, owners are hoping that all becomes right in the running back world. To find out if the forces will re-align and Alfred Morris will score more than nine points, check out eDraft’s Week 2 fantasy running back rankings.
1. 1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Peterson was the top fantasy running back in terms of scoring in Week 1, but pretty much all of it came on one run. After starting out the game with a 78-yard run, Peterson only tacked on 15 more yards but did pick up another touchdown.
He’s going up against the Chicago Bears in the second week, who only gave up a total 63 yards on the ground to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Peterson may not break 100 yards this time, but he’ll get multiple touchdowns on a Vikings team who saw virtually no production from their receivers against the Detroit Lions.
When Minnesota is playing from behind, they won’t be running Peterson as much but this AFC North battle could see a lot of Peterson as Minnesota tries to control the clock. More Peterson means more fantasy points, and his potential for touchdown production makes him the No. 1 fantasy back this week.
Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 95 yards, two touchdowns
2. 2. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
McCoy and Eagles head coach Chip Kelly made a huge statement Monday night against the Washington Redskins, putting up 33 points in a victory. McCoy finished third among running backs in fantasy points in Week 1, rushing for 184 yards and one touchdown on 31 carries.
There were times when McCoy look winded on the sideline, but he managed to keep up in the fast-paced Chip Kelly offense en route to a big night for the Eagles offense as a whole. McCoy could wind up in the 130-yard range in Week 2 against the San Diego Chargers, who gave up 120 total rushing yards to the Houston Texans in the second Monday night game, as Ben Tate averaged over six yards per carry.
The Chargers have a completely rebuilt defense, and Philadelphia’s new offense seems to be exactly what McCoy needed to get his fantasy numbers back on track from last year. The only think holding McCoy back is the touchdown production, with DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick potential candidates for red zone touchdowns, but consider him a 1B to Peterson.
Projected Statistics: 25 carries, 120 yards, one touchdown
3. 3. Reggie Bush, Detroit Lions
If it wasn’t for the aforementioned two touchdowns from Joique Bell, Bush could have had a historic fantasy game. But owners will still settle for 90 rushing yards, 101 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns from him. Bush was a monster against the Minnesota Vikings, but expect a decline in production in Week 2. The receiving yards aren’t always going to be there, but the St. Louis Rams did put up 299 yards in the air against the Arizona Cardinals, Bush’s opponent this week.
Calvin Johnson should be more involved in Detroit’s offense against the Cardinals, so Bush may miss out on a touchdown but Bush will be in the top five backs against this week.
Projected Statistics: 20 carries, 90 yards, six catches, 80 yards
4. 4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Speaking of how many yards Bush gained against the Minnesota Vikings, Forte should be in the same graces this week going up against the Vikings. Like Bush, Forte can catch the ball out of the backfield, picking up 41 yards on four receptions in Week 1 facing the Cincinnati Bengals.
Forte struggled on the ground, only gaining 2.6 yards per carry but picking up a touchdown. Forte’s yardage won’t be great in this game, but he is a threat for at least one touchdown and 100 total yards.
Projected Statistics: 17 carries, 60 yards, four catches, 50 yards, one receiving touchdown
5. 5. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Lynch will surely be out for redemption in Week 2 as he tries to reconcile for his poor outing to open the season against the Carolina Panthers. Lynch only had five fantasy points, but should have a much better outing against the San Francisco 49ers.
San Fran has a formidable defense, but this game is set up to be a knock-down, drag-out fight that focuses on clock control. The Seahawks aren’t going to take the field, ready to score 30-plus points, and Lynch will see more than the 17 carries he had against Carolina. Last season Lynch only had two games of less than 85 yards and caught at least one pass in 14 games. Lynch will be held in check by the 49ers defense, but there’s no way he puts up a repeat performance of Week 1.
Projected Statistics: 25 carries, 90 yards, one touchdown