Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon lead Week 2 fantasy football running back rankings

MIAMI, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon, Christian McCaffrey, Nick Chubb and Alvin Kamara top my Week 2 fantasy football running back rankings for 2021.

Dalvin Cook, Chris Carson, Derrick Henry, David Montgomery and Austin Ekeler round out my top 10 options for Week 2.

Melvin Gordon, Chase Edmonds, Jamaal Williams and Latavius Murray are among the other running backs to consider for your Week 2 lineup.

Plenty of other running backs with great matchups this week are available aside from the elite names. Try to find a player who will get a lot of carriers, targets in the passing game or goal line work and has a good Week 2 matchup.

TOP SHELF

Green Bay Packers star Aaron Jones is my No. 1 running back for Week 2. The Packers offense struggled in Week 1, but should blow out the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Green Bay, Wis.

The Lions allowed the most fantasy points to running backs last season and allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the position last week when they faced the San Francisco 49ers.

Jones piled up 236 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in his first game against the Lions last season. He should reach the end zone at least once and eclipse 120 yards again Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon went off for 127 yards and a score on 29 carries in a Week 1 win over the Minnesota Vikings. This weekend, the Bengals face the Chicago Bears.

The Bears allowed 87 yards from scrimmage and a score to Los Angeles Rams running back Darrell Henderson last week. Expect Mixon to reach the end zone and get close to 30 carries again this week.

He is my No. 2 running back for Week 2.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Melvin Gordon of the Denver Broncos ranked fourth among running backs in fantasy points in Week 1, with 118 yards from scrimmage and a score on 14 touches in a win over the New York Giants.

He should provide RB2 value this week when the Broncos battle the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars allowed the third-most fantasy points to running backs last season and allowed 85 yards and a score on 26 carries to Mark Ingram in Week 1.

Gordon should receive a ton of work again this Sunday. He is my No. 14 option at the position and can be used as a low-end RB2 or flex.

Arizona Cardinals running back Chase Edmonds is my No. 20 option for Week 2. The Cardinals face the Minnesota Vikings.

Edmonds eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage in the Cardinals' Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans. Look for the Cardinals running back to come close to 100 yards from scrimmage once again against this struggling unit.

LONGSHOTS

Detroit Lions running backs D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams each eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage and scored in Week 1. I expect Williams to keep getting work in this backfield alongside Swift.

Williams can be used as a low-end RB2 this week and lands at No. 27 in my rankings. The Lions face the Green Bay Packers. I expect the Packers to win this game, but the Lions will likely attempt to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field by using Williams and Swift to control game flow.

Williams should gain at least 80 yards from scrimmage and has a great chance to score in Week 2.

Latavius Murray sits at No. 2 at running back on the Baltimore Ravens depth chart, but should receive an increase in workload as he practices more with his new team.

He led the Ravens backfield with 10 carries in a Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. This week, the Ravens face the Kansas City Chiefs. I expect the Ravens to give Murray even more work after his second full week of practice.

Look for at least 75 yards from scrimmage at a potential goal-line score from this veteran in Week 2.

Week 2 fantasy football running back rankings

1. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. DET

2. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals at CHI

3. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers vs. NO

4. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. HOU

5. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at CAR

6. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings at ARI

7. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks vs. TEN

8. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at SEA

9. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears vs. CIN

10. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. DAL