Top 10 Running Backs to Start in NFL Week 2 (DFS & Fantasy Breakdown)

Week 1 peeled back the curtain on defensive strengths and weaknesses across the league, and the trends were hard to miss. Several front sevens struggled to hold the edge, linebackers were late to fill gaps, and missed tackles in the open field turned routine plays into explosive gains. A handful of defenses simply collapsed against the run, giving up chunk yardage and multiple scores on the ground. For fantasy managers and DFS players, this isn’t just noise — it’s actionable data.

Matchups drive production, and now we have the first hard evidence of which teams can be exploited on the ground. Running backs who face those vulnerable units instantly gain a higher ceiling, especially if they’re locked into secure workloads and red-zone roles. With that in mind, here are the 10 backs best positioned to capitalize in Week 2 Sunday matchups, ranked by a blend of opponent weakness, role security, and projected DFS value.

1. Breece Hall — Jets vs Bills

• DraftKings Salary: ~$7,800
• Projected DK Points: 22–28

Why: Buffalo’s run defense wasn’t just bad in Week 1 — it was catastrophic. They gave up 238 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and they looked physically overmatched at every level. The defensive line was pushed back five yards on contact, linebackers were slow to fill gaps, and safeties were arm-tackling instead of finishing plays.

Now enter Breece Hall, who isn’t just a volume runner but one of the most explosive backs in the NFL. His yards-after-contact numbers rank among the league’s best, and he thrives on breaking long runs when defenders hesitate. With the Jets likely to ride Hall in a divisional matchup, this is the perfect storm: a workhorse talent facing the softest run defense in football.

2. Jonathan Taylor — Colts vs Broncos

• Salary: ~$7,500
• Projection: 20–27

Why: Denver surrendered 151 rushing yards in Week 1, and the eye test looked even worse. They were out of position on stretch plays, consistently overpursued in zone looks, and their tackling at the second level was sloppy.

Taylor is built to exploit exactly this kind of defense. His one-cut acceleration makes him deadly against linebackers who flow too aggressively. Add in the fact that Indianapolis has quietly built a top-10 run-blocking line, and Taylor’s path to 20+ touches at home against a crumbling front seven makes him one of the safest, highest-upside plays on the slate.

3. James Conner — Cardinals vs Panthers

• Salary: ~$7,000
• Projection: 18–24

Why: Carolina looked physically weak in their opener, giving up 113 rushing yards while allowing consistent chunk gains between the tackles. Conner thrives in exactly that space. He’s not a finesse runner — he’s a bruiser who forces defenders to tackle him head-on, and against a defense that failed to finish plays last week, that’s a nightmare.

What makes Conner especially appealing is role security. He dominates Arizona’s red-zone touches and has the highest goal-line usage rate of any back in this list. In DFS, touchdowns are king, and Conner’s probability of punching one in is higher than most. Pair steady volume with TD equity, and he becomes a top-tier play.

4. Isiah Pacheco — Chiefs vs Eagles

• Salary: ~$7,200
• Projection: 18–25

Why: Philadelphia’s defense collapsed against the run in Week 1, allowing 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles’ defensive tackles lost leverage, and their linebackers failed to shed blocks, creating running lanes all game.

Pacheco is the exact type of runner who punishes that. He’s a violent, downhill runner with elite contact balance. He doesn’t dance behind the line — he hits holes with force. Kansas City may be pass-first, but when Andy Reid sees a weakness, he exploits it. Expect 15+ carries and multiple red-zone chances. If the Chiefs build a lead, Pacheco has slate-breaking potential.

5. Chuba Hubbard — Panthers at Cardinals

• Salary: ~$6,200
• Projection: 14–20

Why: The Cardinals’ run defense gave up 146 rushing yards last week, and they looked soft at the point of attack. Linebackers were late to fill, and the edge rushers got washed out of run fits.

Hubbard doesn’t need to be special to take advantage — he just needs volume. And he has it. With minimal backfield competition, Hubbard is locked into 15–18 carries and is also used in short passing situations. At his price point, he doesn’t have to be flashy. If he churns out 80+ yards and falls into the end zone, he smashes value. That’s the definition of a DFS leverage play.

6. Saquon Barkley — Giants at Cowboys

• Salary: ~$7,900
• Projection: 20–26

Why: Dallas was exposed on the ground in Week 1, coughing up 158 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Their defensive tackles were consistently blown off the ball, and linebackers struggled to shed blocks.

Saquon Barkley thrives when defenses can’t reset the line of scrimmage. His vision and burst let him create when holes aren’t obvious, and if Dallas plays with the same lack of gap integrity, Barkley could carve them up for 100+ yards. Add in his receiving volume — which keeps him relevant even if the Giants trail — and you have one of the safest high-upside plays on the slate.

7. Bijan Robinson — Falcons at Vikings

• Salary: ~$7,600
• Projection: 18–25

Why: Minnesota is a middle-of-the-pack run defense, but Bijan doesn’t need a weak opponent to excel. He’s a mismatch weapon. Last week, he lined up in the slot, motioned outside, and ran wheel routes — the Falcons treat him as both an RB and WR. That versatility makes him matchup-proof.

Even if Minnesota stacks the box, Bijan’s passing-game role ensures he touches the ball 20+ times. With elite efficiency (5+ yards per carry last season), he’s capable of breaking the slate even against a defense that isn’t bottom-tier.

8. J.K. Dobbins — Broncos at Colts

• Salary: ~$6,900
• Projection: 17–23

Why: Indianapolis struggled to contain runs in Week 1, with missed tackles and poor gap control. They allowed over 130 rushing yards in multiple games last season, and little has changed.

Dobbins’ skill set — vision, burst, and patience behind zone blocking — lines up perfectly against this type of defense. The question is always volume. But if he gets even 15 carries, his efficiency makes him one of the best mid-tier DFS plays of the week. His upside is tied to health, but when he’s active, he’s one of the most underrated talents at the position.

9. Jahmyr Gibbs — Lions vs Bears

• Salary: ~$7,100
• Projection: 17–22

Why: Chicago was middle of the pack against the run in Week 1, but Gibbs isn’t a traditional grinder. He’s a space player. The Lions scheme ways to get him one-on-one against linebackers, whether on draws, angle routes, or screens.

That makes him immune to a defense that stuffs the middle — because Gibbs isn’t running into the middle 20 times. His role is explosive plays in space. Even if David Montgomery steals goal-line work, Gibbs’ efficiency and receiving usage make him a strong DFS play. One long catch-and-run could flip his day into a tournament winner.

10. Alvin Kamara — Saints vs 49ers

• Salary: ~$7,200
• Projection: 16–22

Why: On paper, this is the toughest matchup of the week. The 49ers are annually one of the best front sevens in football, and they rarely get gashed on the ground. But Kamara isn’t just a runner — he’s one of the best receiving backs of his era.

That makes him matchup-proof. Even if San Francisco limits him to 40–50 rushing yards, Kamara can add 6–7 receptions and 50+ yards through the air. In PPR scoring, that’s gold. And if he finds the end zone, he’ll blow past value. His unique usage keeps him relevant against even the most intimidating defenses.