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Fantasy Football: Week 2 Running Back Rankings

By Alex Butler
Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott rushes against the New York Giants during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 11, 2016. Ian Halperin/UPI
1 of 3 | Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott rushes against the New York Giants during the first half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on September 11, 2016. Ian Halperin/UPI | License Photo

MIAMI, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- It's still early in the fantasy football calendar, when nearly everyone is still optimistic about his or her teams.

Although a few actual football franchises have already dealt with crippling injuries, the running back position did not see any of its elite players lost for the season during Week 1 action. But that is inevitable. You will be faced with difficult start or sit decisions regarding your rostered running backs all season long. To make those choices easier, I have ranked my top 30 running backs for Week 2.

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You can also view our top waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 and find out how to replace San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.

TOP SHELF

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Look for Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott to rebound from his lackluster NFL debut. Elliott eyes a Week 2 match up against Washington. Washington allowed 143 yards and two touchdowns to DeAngelo Williams last week. Arizona Cardinals' David Johnson and Denver Broncos' C.J. Anderson are also obvious starts after stellar Week 1 showings. Anderson faces a Lions defense which allowed 109 rushing yards and two rushing scores to running backs in Week 1.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Kansas City Chiefs' Spencer Ware faces a Houston Texans squad which allowed 61 rushing yards and a touchdown to running backs in Week 1. But Ware was one of the best stories of last weekend, for fantasy football purposes. Expect Ware to find space on the ground and also be a huge part of the passing game in Week 2 action. Don't be shocked if New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram works himself into top-3 consideration this weekend at the running back slot. Ingram, who rushed for just 58 yards on 12 carries in Week 1 action, is headed into a match up against the New York Giants. The Giants, who did add plenty of free agent talent this summer, allowed 13 rushing touchdowns to running backs in 2015. New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings is on the other end of that match up. He battles a Saints defensive line which allowed 151 rushing yards and three scores on the ground in Week 1.

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LONGSHOTS

San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead might not top the depth chart at the position, but he is sure to put up RB2 numbers in Week 2 action. After Allen's injury, Woodhead will be even more of a receiving option than he was before and also cut into Melvin Gordon's workload. While Jacksonville allowed 68 rushing yards to Eddie Lacy in Week 1, it could be susceptible to Woodhead's skill-set. Miami Dolphins running back Arian Foster could put up RB2 numbers this weekend. It is obvious that the Dolphins want to heavily involve Foster in its game plan. It's also obvious that the team needs to get its ground game going if it wants to keep pace with high-octane offenses. The Patriots allowed 132 yards from scrimmage and a rushing score to Arizona's David Johnson in Week 1.

RANK NAME TEAM OPPONENT
1 Ezekiel Elliott Dallas Cowboys at Washington
2 David Johnson Arizona Cardinals vs. Tampa Bay
3 C.J. Anderson Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis
4 Spencer Ware Kansas City Chiefs at Houston
5 Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
6 Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay
7 Lamar Miller Houston Texans vs. Kansas City
8 Todd Gurley Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle
9 DeAngelo Williams Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati
10 Latavius Murray Oakland Raiders vs. Atlanta
11 LeSean McCoy Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
12 Eddie Lacy Green Bay Packers at Minnesota
13 Doug Martin Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona
14 DeVonta Freeman Atlanta Falcons at Oakland
15 DeMarco Murray Tennessee Titans at Detroit
16 Rashad Jennings New York Giants vs. New Orleans
17 Jeremy Langford Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia
18 Jonathan Stewart Carolina Panthers vs. San Francisco
19 Jeremy Hill Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh
20 Matt Forte New York Jets at Buffalo
21 LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots vs. Miami
22 Carlos Hyde San Francisco 49ers at Carolina
23 Danny Woodhead San Diego Chargers vs. Jacksonville
24 Tevin Coleman Atlanta Falcons at Oakland
25 Ameer Abdullah Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee
26 Arian Foster Miami Dolphins at New England
27 Ryan Mathews Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago
28 Theo Riddick Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee
29 Christine Michael Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles
30 Isaiah Crowell Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore
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