Fantasy Football Week 1 Running Back Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season is about to begin which means fantasy football is back! Most fantasy football team managers don’t make major lineup moves in the first week of the season. Typically managers will start the players they drafted in the earlier rounds. However, since every week is important it would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one because he was drafted to be a starter. Here are fantasy football week 1 running back rankings.

[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]

[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Running Back Rankings

Players that could miss this week’s game

RB10 De’Vone Achane, Miami Dolphins

De’Von Achane has been dealing with a calf injury throughout the preseason. At this point he is expected to play in the Dolphin’s season opener. If Achane misses Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts Ollie Gordon II becomes the RB29 between Austin Ekeler and Travis Etienne Jr.

RB36 Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson has been dealing with an injury since the Patriots’ last preseason game. This injury has not been specified to the media which suggests that it will not affect his status for the Patriots’ season opener. If Stevenson misses Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raider Treveyon Henderson moves up to RB15 between James Conner and Tony Pollard. Antonio Gibson becomes the RB48 between Ray Davis and Trey Benson.

RB39 Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rachaad White missed practice on Monday with a groin injury. At this point White is considered day-to-day and it seems unclear if White will miss the Buccaneers’ season opener. If White misses Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons Sean Tucker becomes the RB49 between Ollie Gordon II and Bhayshul Tuten.

RB58 Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Roschon Johnson has missed practice time this preseason with a foot injury. There is a chance he misses Chicago’s home opener. If Johnson misses Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings Kyle Monangai becomes the RB59 between Blake Corum and Devin Singletary.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

Joe Mixon missed the entire preseason with foot and ankle issues. These injuries have landed him on the NFI list to begin the year. It is clear that Mixon is expected to miss extended time to begin the year. There is even uncertainty about whether Mixon will have the opportunity to play at all this season. While Mixon is out Nick Chubb is expected to be the team’s starting running back. Houston could use a committee that features Woody Marks and Dameon Pierce along with Chubb.

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

This spring Quinshon Judkins was slated to potentially have a huge role in Cleveland’s offense to begin the year. But after legal troubles this offseason his future looks murky. Judkins missed all of training camp and the preseason due to his legal issues. They are also the reason why Cleveland has not signed Judkins has not signed his rookie contract yet. He is technically considered a free agent at this point. Even when Judkins signs with Cleveland it will take some time for him to get integrated into the offense. He will need to ramp up to game shape and earn his role in the offense. Jerome Ford and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson are expected to split snaps at running back until Judkins returns and is capable of taking on a large role in the offense.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee placed Tyjae Spears on Injured Reserve to begin the year. So Spears will miss at least the first four games of the season. When healthy Spears did not see the role many expected him to have last year. One year ago many expected Spears to split time with Tony Pollard. Instead Spears was a change of pace back for when they wanted to give Pollard some rest. While Spears is out Kalel Muggings and Julius Chestnut are expected to back up Pollard.

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins

Jaylen Wright suffered a leg injury that is expected to cause him to miss time to begin the season. Wright was expected to play a larger role in the offense replacing Raheem Mostert as the team’s primary change of pace back behind De’Von Achane. Now while Wright is out Ollie Gordon II will he the team’s primary short-yardage back.

Marshawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers

The beginning of Marshawn Lloyd’s career has been extremely disappointing. The 2024 third round pick only suited up for one game last season due to injury. Now he will begin this second season on the Injured Reserve list with a hamstring injury. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks will backup Josh Jacobs to begin the season.

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

Jonathon Brooks had his NFL debut in Week 12 because he was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during his last season at Texas. Then Brooks suffered another torn ACL in Week 14 last year that will cause him to miss the 2025-26 season. The 2024 second round pick was taken as early as he was to have a major role in this offense. Fortunately for Carolina, Chuba Hubbard broke out in a major way last year. Hubbard showed that he could fill the void of being the teams primary running back. Former Dallas Cowboy Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne will backup Hubbard this season.

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