The 2024 NFL season is finally here! You've drafted your teams and now it's time to set your Week 1 lineups.
Jamey Eisenberg has all the Start 'Em & Sit 'Em insight you'll need to make sound decisions at running back ahead of Week 1, right here. His Waiver Wire column can also direct you to the best options that may be available in your leagues. And don't forget to check out Heath Cummings' running back preview for more help with matchup notes, Week 1 numbers to know and more. Plus check out Heath's Week 1 projections over at Sportsline.
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RBs to Start
Projections powered by
Sportsline
You're starting De'Von Achane and Mostert this week in a game where the expected total score is 49 points. Mostert was likely drafted as a reserve running back in most leagues, but this week he could be a top-20 Fantasy option since he should lead the Dolphins in touches, even ahead of Achane. Last season, the Jaguars were No. 12 in most Fantasy points allowed to running backs and No. 1 in most receptions allowed to the position, so hopefully Mostert and Achane get work in the passing game this week.
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Jahmyr Gibbs is fine despite missing time in training camp with a hamstring injury, but Montgomery should still be considered a quality No. 2 running back in all leagues. Last season, Montgomery scored a touchdown in all but two healthy games, and this Rams defense is depleted compared to last year with Aaron Donald and Ernest Jones gone, along with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Gibbs and Montgomery should have the chance for a big game at home.
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I was concerned about drafting Jones as a top-20 running back this season, but I'm fine starting him this week against the Giants. When Jones is healthy, he'll be a borderline starter in all leagues, and this should be a positive game script against the Giants no matter what. If the Vikings are playing with a lead then Jones should get plenty of carries. And if Minnesota is trailing then Jones should work in the passing game. Ty Chandler will also be a factor, but Jones should take advantage of this Giants defense, which last season allowed 14 running backs to score at least 13.9 PPR points.
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Williams has excelled in training camp and the preseason, and he should do well in this matchup with the Seahawks to be at least a No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues. He'll lead Denver in carries and potentially catches, and last year Seattle was No. 2 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. I like Jaleel McLaughlin as a sleeper this week also, but Sean Payton will likely lean on Williams to take pressure off rookie starter Bo Nix in his first NFL start.
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This should be an improved Chargers defense this season, but White played Los Angeles last year in Week 15 and scored a season-high 17.5 PPR points. He had 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 16 yards. I'm hopeful White gets 20 total touches again, and he should be the lead running back for the Raiders in Week 1 and all year. I expect White to finish as a top-20 running back in all leagues in this matchup.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Ford will be the lead running back for the Browns with Nick Chubb (knee) out, and he performed at a high level in this role in 2023. From Week 2 when Chubb got hurt, Ford scored at least 11.1 PPR points in 11 of his next 15 games, including five outings with at least 14.2 PPR points. Dallas has a tough run defense, but four running backs in a row scored at least 12.0 PPR points against the Cowboys to end the regular season. Ford is worth using as a flex in all leagues in Week 1.
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I like Moss and Chase Brown as flex options this week against the Patriots. Both running backs should get plenty of opportunities to touch the ball in a game the Bengals are favored to win by eight points. I would give a slight lean toward Moss over Brown this week since the veteran will probably get more touches, but both could perform well against a New England defense missing Christian Barmore (illness) and Matthew Judon from last year.
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Tony Pollard is worth using as a No. 2 running back this week, but Spears can also be a flex. We don't know exactly how the Titans plan to split touches for Pollard and Spears, but it could be an even split. And I wouldn't be surprised if Spears gets more work in the passing game. Last year, the Bears were No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs and No. 2 in most receptions allowed to the position, which could help Spears as a receiver out of the backfield.
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You don't need anyone to tell you to start James Cook this week as he's taking on a Cardinals defense that allowed the most Fantasy points to opposing running backs last year and should struggle again in 2024. But there's a chance Davis could be used at the goal line, which makes him a sleeper in deeper leagues. He'll likely need a touchdown to help Fantasy managers, but I'd gamble on him if you need a flier. Last season, the combination of Latavius Murray and Damien Harris scored five rushing touchdowns while Cook only had two.
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RBs to Sit
Projections powered by
Sportsline
I'm curious to see how the Bears use Swift in tandem with Khalil Herbert and potentially Roschon Johnson, but I would only consider Swift a flex at best in this matchup. The Titans finished last season No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Tennessee should be tough up front against the run again. I'm hopeful Swift will be involved in the passing game, but Caleb Williams will also take some rushing opportunities to potentially limit Swift's upside.
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We have to see how the Commanders use Robinson and Austin Ekeler in tandem, and I'm hopeful Robinson gets the majority of touches. But Robinson's production could be limited if the Commanders are trailing since Ekeler should get more work in the passing game. And this isn't an easy matchup since Tampa Bay was No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and moving Vita Vea in the middle of the Buccaneers defense won't be easy for Washington's offensive line. Jayden Daniels will also take rushing production away from Robinson, so consider him a flex at best in this Week 1 matchup.
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We don't know how the Cowboys plan to use Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott in Week 1, so you're better off keeping Dowdle reserved in the majority of leagues. While the reviews for Dowdle have been positive during training camp, he's not guaranteed to get the majority of touches in this tough matchup on the road. And Dallas still needs to prove its revamped offensive line can continue to be dominant, as well as what Dowdle will do in the passing game. I'm excited for him this season, but I don't want to start him in most leagues for Week 1.
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I'm curious to see how the Chargers use Edwards and J.K. Dobbins this week, and this could be a tough matchup for this backfield, even at home. The Raiders' addition of Christian Wilkins should dramatically improve their run defense, which was No. 9 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs last season. We know Edwards will likely need a touchdown to be a viable Fantasy option in most leagues, so if he doesn't score then you'll likely be disappointed if you consider him even a flex in Week 1.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
Projections powered by
Sportsline
It appears like Jaylen Warren (hamstring) will play this week, which lowers the upside for Harris, and this is a tough matchup against the Falcons. I'd only use Harris as a flex in the majority of leagues, even in a revenge game for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Last year, Atlanta was No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs and tied for first in fewest rushing touchdowns allowed to the position with five. The Falcons defense should be tough again in stopping the run under new coach Raheem Morris, and Harris' Fantasy production will likely be limited if he doesn't score a touchdown.
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