Welcome to the NFL DFS Week 2 RB Coach article!! The results were somewhat mixed, but considering that Week 1 can often be a crapshoot, most of the NFL DFS RBs that I recommended last week did pretty well.  

Paying up for your NFL DFS RBs in Week 1 was a good strategy. Saquon Barkley (18.4 DraftKing points/16.39 FanDuel points), Bijan Robinson (27.4 DK/24.39 FD points), and Derrick Henry (33.2 DK/31.7 FD) were all top-tier NFL DFS RBs that I recommended who gave you a good return on your investment.

My NFL DFS RB play of the week, Chuba Hubbard, made me look like I know what I’m talking about, and Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor, and Alvin Kamara were all good mid-tier recommendations as well.

However, if I’m going to pat myself on the back for the good recommendations I made, I have to own up to the bad ones, too. In retrospect, my NFL DFS RB value plays and fades should have switched places. My value plays like Isiah Pacheco, Tyrone Tracy, and Tony Pollard didn’t get the job done, but Ashton Jeanty and De’Von Achane performed much better than I expected.

NFL Week 2 NFL DFS RBs

In several instances, NFL defenses seemed better prepared for the start of the NFL season than NFL DFS RBs in Week 1. Nine RBs with 10 or more carries had a YPC average of 2.6 or less last week, and heading into Week 2, there are still some NFL backfields that are a bit muddled. However, at the same time, there are other backfields that we are more confident in using in our DFS lineups this week based on the way carries and targets were distributed in Week 1. I was a little surprised that New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara only had two targets and catches in Week 1, but I’m not worried about it moving forward. I’m avoiding the Pittsburgh Steelers' backfield. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell split the workload right down the middle in Week 1, and I need to see one of them separate themselves from the other before I consider using them in DFS. The rumors suggesting that New York Jets RB Breece Hall would share the team’s backfield with Braelon Allen appear to be just rumors. Let’s stop right there and help you win some cash as I reveal my favorite NFL DFS RBs for Week 2.

 

 

 

NFL DFS RB Top-Tier Picks For Week 2 

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

DraftKings: $7,500 | FanDuel: $8,900

There was a lot of uncertainty leading up to Week 1 as McCaffrey mysteriously showed up on the 49ers injury report (calf) late last week, but he delivered 23.2 DK points and 18.7 FD points against the Seattle Seahawks. His 3.1 YPC obviously wasn’t great, but he reeled in nine of his 10 targets for 73 yards. The 49ers’ QB, Brock Purdy, is dealing with an injury to his toe and his non-throwing shoulder, but should backup QB Mac Jones gets the start in Week 2, that shouldn’t affect McCaffrey’s potential for a big game. If Purdy is forced to miss time, McCaffrey should see multiple targets again in Week 2 with Jones potentially using him as a security blanket. TE George Kittle (hamstring) has already been placed on IR, and WR Jauan Jennings (shoulder) could also miss time and which could mean that McCaffrey will have an even bigger role in the 49ers offense in Week 2. 

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

DraftKings: $7,400 | FanDuel: $8,300

Gibbs had an off week in Week 1 but still managed to score 15 DK points and 10 FD points. He takes on a Chicago Bears defense that gave up 116 rushing yards in Week 1 and a receiving TD to Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones as well. Gibbs has had the Bears’ number in his young NFL career. He’s scored three rushing TDs, averaged 5.84 YPC, and has 15 catches for 137 yards in four career games against the Bears. After being bottled up for just 31 yards on the ground against the Packers in Week 1, it’s a good bet that Gibbs will be looking to celebrate a 2025 breakout against the Bears in Week 2.

 

 

 

NFL DFS RB Mid-Tier Picks For Week 2 

De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

DraftKings: $6,900 | FanDuel: $7,800

Achane was one of my fades last week, but it wasn’t because I don’t believe in his ability as an NFL DFS RB. I was worried about the calf injury that had dogged him all preseason. Well, he was healthy enough to score 16.5 DK points and 15 FD points in a lopsided loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. The speedster averaged 7.9 YPC and pulled in three of his four targets last week, and one of those catches went for a TD. The New England Patriots, his Week 2 opponent, largely held Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty in check last week, but the rookie did score a rushing TD against them, showing the NFL DFS community that the Pats defense against the run can be breached. I know it was only one game, but the Dolphins’ pass offense looked broken in Week 1. Look for them to lean on Achane and their run game against the Pats in Week 2, and with Tua Tagovailoa pressured on seven of his 23 Week 1 pass attempts, Achane will also continue to be used in the passing game as a safety valve and check-down option.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

DraftKings: $6,800 | FanDuel: $7,500

Brown was one of those RBs with at least 10 carries and a poor YPC average (2.0 to be exact). However, he is still unquestionably the lead back in what is still a powerful Bengals offense. Brown takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars this week, and in his only career meeting against the Jags, he had nine carries, but he averaged 6.78 YPC. The Jaguars were pretty friendly to NFL DFS RBs last season, and that carried over to Week 1. They gave up 109 total yards to NFL DFS RBs last week, including five catches and a receiving TD. That stat line should be music to Brown’s ears since he can get it done on the ground and through the air.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

DraftKings: $6,500 | FanDuel: $8,100

I have to admit that the Washington Commanders' run defense looked pretty good in Week 1 against the New York Giants. However, even as a Giants fan, I have to admit that Josh Jacobs is a lot better at running the ball than Tyrone Tracy Jacobs now has nine straight games with a TD dating back to last season, and as I mentioned last week, his stats are much better when he plays at home like he’ll be doing this week. 

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

DraftKings: $6,200 | FanDuel: $7,300

Hall may have faced some competition from Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis in Week 1, but it’s clear that he is the RB1 in the Jets’ backfield. As the season progresses, he might even benefit from having his snaps played limited a bit. It might help to preserve Hall’s explosiveness. In Week 2, he faces a familiar Buffalo Bills defense that he has ravaged for 6.42 YPC in four career games.  

 

 

 

NFL DFS RB Value Picks For Week 2 

Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

DraftKings: $5,800 | FanDuel: $6,000

I liked what I saw from Hampton in Week 1. He definitely passed the eye test with his explosiveness and willingness to sacrifice himself in pass protection. The latter will keep him on the field just as much as his ability to run the ball will. Fellow Chargers RB Najee Harris’ role will likely increase as the season progresses (he missed most of the preseason due to an eye injury) but based on his usage and level of play in Week 1, Hampton looks like he has a chance to hold on to his role as the Chargers RB1. Look for the Chargers to lean on their run game more in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders who gave up 81 total yards and eight catches to NFL DFS RBs in Week 1.

Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys

DraftKings: $5,800 | FanDuel: $6,300

With Jaydon Blue being a healthy inactive, and after his Week 1 performance and usage, it’s clear that Williams is the leader in the Cowboys’ backfield. He has a very favorable matchup against the New York Giants, who were unable to stop the run in Week 1.

Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns 

DraftKings: $5,200 | FanDuel: $5,500

With the news that rookie RB Quinshon Judkins will be practicing this week and that he even has a shot at playing in Week 2, too many fantasy managers are forgetting that Sampson scored 17.3 DK points and 13.3 FD points in Week 1. He led the team in carries, but more importantly, he caught all eight of his targets for 64 yards. I know he only averaged 2.4 YPC in Week 1, but the Ravens gave up 57 receiving yards on six catches to Buffalo Bills RBs in Week 1. It may be a stretch, but even if Judkins does suit up in Week 2, he’s not in mid-season form yet, so Sampson could lead Browns receivers in carries and catches again this week.  

NFL DFS Week 2 RB Play of the Week 

Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

DraftKings: $5,700 | FanDuel: $6,700

Etienne Jr. had a huge Week 1 against a bad Panthers run defense, but it was enough to convince the Jaguars that he should be their primary RB moving forward. His whopping Week 1 8.9 YPC may have been bolstered by a 71-yard run, but in Week 2, he faces a Bengals defense that gave up nine catches and 61 receiving yards to NFL DFS RBs last week. Etienne Jr. can get it done on the ground, but he’s also been a very good pass catcher throughout his career. 
 

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