Every car needs a great engine.
You can have all the bells and whistles, from heated seats to a panoramic sunroof, but it all means nothing if the car is nothing more than the heaviest paperweight in the world. That's why some have gone back to basics, simply looking for something that gets them to and from a destination without issue.
In fantasy football, running backs are the engine.
You can't win without them. Strategies like "zero RB" in the draft are all the rage, but the games eventually prove that it's hard to win that way.
So you can have your fancy receivers, tight end and quarterback. Odds are, your championship aspirations rest on the running back spot – perhaps the greatest indication that fantasy doesn't always translate to reality.
As we flip the page to Week 2, here are the engines that you can trust at running back and others that should be left parked for the weekend.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 2 RBs
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings at Bears
Jordan Mason has been placed on injured reserve, paving the way for Jones to take full advantage. He is a capable runner and receiver, making him a dual-threat option for the Minnesota offense. With no clear backup to siphon away meaningful playing time, the 31-year-old should be plenty involved for Kevin O'Connell against the Bears.
And it's an inviting matchup for Jones' first game as the clear RB1. Chicago allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs in Week 1, even in a game that mostly featured production through the air. Chuba Hubbard totaled two touchdowns in the opener for Carolina and Jones is seemingly game script proof in this one. For a game that is slated to feature plenty of offense, you'll definitely want the veteran in your lineup.
David Montgomery, Houston Texans vs. Bengals
Montgomery delivered in a big way for fantasy managers last week, scoring three touchdowns in his Texans debut. There's no reason to believe that he can't produce at a high level again in Week 2. Despite fumbling issues for the Buccaneers in Week 1, Bucky Irving still delivered a great fantasy performance with 93 total yards and a touchdown despite Tampa trailing all afternoon.
The Texans will be eager for their defense to get on track against the Bengals, meaning we should anticipate a closer score. If he turns in another big game, Montgomery would be close to graduating into must-start territory. That is especially true for a player who even flashed some receiving upside in Week 1.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders at Cowboys
The Cowboys could've replaced their defenders with folding chairs in Week 1 and it would've had the same impact at a fraction of the cost. Nonexistent to the point where they couldn't even stop the same play multiple times on one drive, Dallas somehow looked worse than it did in 2025. That's hard to do, which brings us to Croskey-Merritt.
He had 63 rushing yards and a touchdown against a solid Philadelphia defensive line. More importantly, he had 16 carries. The man they call "Bill" will get even more running lanes in Dallas, especially after injuries piled up on defense against the Giants.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 2 RBs
Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars at Broncos
The Broncos shocked the football world in Kansas City – and not in a good way. Andy Reid essentially announced, with his play-calling, that he was going to run it with Kenneth Walker all night long and Denver still couldn't stop it. It turned out to be a debut to remember for Walker with 173 rushing yards and one touchdown. So shouldn't you trust Tuten in Week 2?
Well, not exactly. All of Jacksonville's production came from the right arm of Trevor Lawrence, despite a blowout victory for Liam Coen's team. Tuten did lead the backfield with 15 carries, but he was a non-factor in the passing game and couldn't get into the end zone. At the very least, Denver will try to avoid that type of embarrassment on the ground again. Steer clear of Tuten this week.
Marshawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers at Jets
Lloyd stepped in as the replacement for Josh Jacobs, but his production came nowhere near what the veteran would've provided. The 25-year-old finished with 13 carries for just 37 yards. That is just 2.8 yards per carry, for those keeping score at home. With concerns along the offensive line, Lloyd has no clear path to produce at a high level.
Couple all of that with the threat of a running back by committee and it's even harder to trust Lloyd against a Jets defense that allowed just 47 rushing yards in Week 1 – even if it was only against the Titans.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans vs. Eagles
Speaking of the Titans, yikes. We don't envy the position that team has put you in during the young season. Pollard was a nonfactor against the Jets, finishing with just 35 yards on the ground. Perhaps even more concerning, he couldn't even produce as a receiver in a trailing game script.
The Eagles defense represents a step up in class and there is absolutely no reason to believe the results will be any better. And since nothing ever happens when the Titans have the ball, we can't expect Pollard to magically produce out of nowhere.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 2
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 2.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 2.
→ Defense (and special teams) can win you championships – including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 2.
→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 2 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em running backs for Week 2 fantasy football
