Running backs start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 3

It's week 3, folks! Time to set those fantasy lineups! Start 'Em, Sit'Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. I won't cover elite players like Brice Hall or Beajon Robinson, because you already know them to start! Instead, I'll examine other running backs who may or may not exceed expectations based on their weekly opponents … such as Rachad White in Week 2!

For your final lineup decision, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, make sure you subscribe to Fantasy Darts with Lindsey Rhodes and me, as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

Also be sure to check out my start'em before you set your lineup, sit their picks at every other position: QB | WR | TE | K & D/ST

1. Bice Hall vs. Patriots (Thursday)
2. Saquon Barkley at Saints
3. Bejon Robinson vs. Chiefs
4. Alvin Kamara vs. Eagles
5. Ramsay Jordan Mason
6. De'Vone Achane at Seahawks
7. Kieran Williams vs. 49ers
8. Jahmir Gibbs at the Cardinals
9. Jonathan Taylor vs. Bears
10. Zach Charbonnet vs. Dolphins

Complete Week 3 running back rankings coming soon!

start of the week

Zach Charbonnet vs. Dolphins (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Charbonnet posted an excellent stat line last week, scoring 17.9 points in a win over the Patriots. He dominated the backfield touches with Kenneth Walker out, seeing all of Seattle's 19 looks. If Walker is out again, Charbonnet should put up another nice total in a plus matchup against the Dolphins. Their defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to backs after two weeks.

get started

Rachad White vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, Fox): White, listed as sit'em last week, averaged a terrific 3.3 points in the win over the Lions. I'm going to trust the talented pass catcher, but this week's matchup against the Broncos should be good for his illness. Since the start of last season, no road defense has allowed more fantasy points to a running back than Denver's. Consequently, White should be back on track.

JK Dobbins at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Dobbins has been on fire for Chargers and fantasy fans alike, averaging an insane 9.6 yards per rush and scoring a combined 43 fantasy points. Should he be in the RB2 conversation this week, Dobbins goes against a Steelers defense that allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs from last season. Look for Dobbins to post another healthy line this weekend.

David Montgomery at Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Montgomery is off to a nice start to the season, averaging 16.7 fantasy points in his first two games. He should also be a solid fantasy option this week as the Lions travel west to face the Cardinals. Since the start of last season, no defense has surrendered more fantasy points to a visiting back. What's more, running backs averaged 4.7 yards per rush in the desert.

Jack Moss vs. Commander (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): Moss is coming off a 5.7-point sticker against the Chiefs, but there was some good news. He's slated to be the Bengals' starter, seeing more snaps and touches than teammate Chase Brown. Moss also has a great matchup this week, facing a commanding defense that has given up the third-most points to home running backs since last season. Moss is a solid flex option.

RBs with good matchups

September 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) scores a touchdown against the New York Giants in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images / John Jones-Imagn Images

sit of the week

Aaron Jones vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Jones is a tough player to sit, but I want to keep my expectations modest this week. While he played more snaps, Jones was outplayed by Ty Chandler last week. I'm not sure if this refers to a committee, but it's significant. He faces a tough opponent this week, as the Texans have allowed just 2.3 yards per rush and the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Consequently, I would caution Jones.

sit down

Naji Harris vs. Chargers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Harris was a disappointment last week, as he averaged just 8.4 points despite a plus matchup in Denver. What's more, he played fewer snaps than his teammate Jaylen Warren. Couple that with a matchup against a Chargers defense that's allowed an average of less than 19 fantasy points to backs after two weeks, and it's clear why Harris is the best risk flex starter this weekend.

De'Andre Swift at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Swift has had a brutal start this season. In his first two games, he averaged a brutal two yards per rush and 6.6 fantasy points. What's more, Swift's Rush EPA is at minus-11.1. Among all backs, that's fifth-worst in the league. So, while this week's matchup against the Colts is good on paper, Swift is hard to believe. After all, he'll be a risk-reward flex starter in this interconference battle.

Devin Singletary at Browns (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Listed as a starter last week, Singletary scored a touchdown and 14.5 fantasy points against the Commanders. I would caution the veteran this week, but he has a much tougher matchup against the Browns. In their last 10 home games, their defense has allowed just four rushing touchdowns and just one 68.6 rushing yards per game. After all, Singletary is a risk-reward flex option.

Javonte Williams at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Williams scored a decent 11.5 PPR points in last week's loss to the Steelers, but he averaged 1.6 yards per rush and did all of his damage as a pass catcher. This week he gets the Buccaneers, who were bad against the Runners after two weeks but faced the dynamic duo of Montgomery and Jahmir Gibbs last week. With a negative game script likely, I'm sitting on Williams.