The 2021-22 NFL season began last week which means so did fantasy football. After getting a taste of the NFL season last week, it is important not to overreact some and make risky moves when setting lineups for this week. For the first few weeks, fantasy managers should pay attention to trends that they see from teams that could shape the rest of the season. Here are fantasy football week 1 running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 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 isn’t likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 category.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started is 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 causes 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.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB20 Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Last week Giants running back Saquon Barkley played his first game since tearing is ACL last year. Barkley did not have an outstanding performance, but it was a step forward for him to get to the player he was two years ago. The Giants could take a safe approach with Barkley and could sit him out on a short week. New York is playing Washington Thursday night and that may not be long enough of a break from game action for Barkley who is not 100%. If the Giants decide to rest Barkley Devontae Booker moves up to RB40 betwen Ronald Jones and Kenyan Drake.

RB36 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

If it wasn’t for Josh Jacobs’ two touchdowns his performance Mondady versus the Ravens would have been alarming. It was impressive that he played out the entire game dealing with an illness and a toe issue. That toe issue appeared to affect Jacobs a lot during that game. He is still on the injury report with that toe issue. If it gets worse or the Raiders decide to let him heal up Kenyan Drake moves up to RB33 between James Conner and Devin Singletary.

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