Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2026 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Running Backs to Start
J.K. Dobbins, RB (DEN)
J.K. Dobbins has become a more dependable fantasy option since Sean Payton took over Denver’s offensive play-calling duties. Over the last two games, Dobbins has handled 35 carries for 109 yards and two touchdowns while adding five receptions for 11 yards, scoring at least 13.6 PPR points in both contests. He’s handled 63% of Denver’s rushing attempts across his five healthy appearances, and his involvement in the passing game has improved recently. Dobbins ran routes on 50% and 43% of dropbacks over the last two weeks, with target shares of 10% and 13%, respectively. However, my biggest concern is the potential return of Jonah Coleman from injured reserve, which could complicate Denver’s backfield rotation and cut into Dobbins’ rushing workload. RJ Harvey also remains involved as a receiving option and scored against Seattle in Week 6. Dobbins’ rushing efficiency remains a concern at just 3.3 yards per carry, but his recent workload and goal-line opportunities have provided a dependable path toward RB2 production.
Arizona has allowed 19.1 PPR points per game to running backs, ranking 16th, but its overall defensive efficiency makes this an appealing matchup. The Cardinals rank among the league’s five worst defenses in EPA allowed per play, creating opportunities for Denver to sustain drives and generate scoring chances. Arizona also struggled against the Rams in Week 6, allowing Kyren Williams and Blake Corum to combine for 92 rushing yards on 19 carries while adding five receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown. Denver enters the matchup as a modest favorite, creating a favorable potential game script for Dobbins to continue leading the backfield in rushing attempts. The biggest question is how much work Coleman could command if he’s activated, especially with Harvey already contributing in the passing game. As long as Dobbins maintains his recent rushing and goal-line role, I’m comfortable starting him as an RB2 against a vulnerable Arizona defense, but Coleman’s availability is something fantasy managers need to monitor before kickoff.
Ollie Gordon II, RB (MIA)
Ollie Gordon II has been one of the biggest surprises in fantasy football since taking over Miami’s backfield with De’Von Achane sidelined. Over his last three games, Gordon has rushed for 229 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries while adding five receptions for 14 yards, scoring at least 14.5 PPR points in three consecutive appearances dating back to Week 3. His rushing efficiency has been particularly impressive, averaging 5.2 yards per carry while generating 3.38 yards after contact per attempt. Gordon has also produced an 18.2% explosive-run rate and forced missed tackles at a 29.5% rate over that stretch, demonstrating that his production hasn’t been driven exclusively by favorable blocking. His receiving involvement remains limited, averaging fewer than two targets per game, but Miami’s run-heavy offensive approach has allowed him to maintain a substantial rushing workload despite the team’s offensive struggles.
The Jets have allowed 20.0 PPR points per game to running backs, ranking 11th-most, while surrendering 105.8 rushing yards per game to the position, the sixth-highest total in football. That creates an appealing matchup for Gordon, whose biggest fantasy advantage has been his ability to generate explosive runs and finish scoring opportunities. Miami’s offensive line has also helped create favorable rushing conditions, ranking sixth in yards before contact per running back attempt at 1.54. The Dolphins remain one of the NFL’s least productive offenses, which limits Gordon’s overall touchdown ceiling, but their commitment to the running game should provide enough opportunities for him to capitalize on New York’s defensive weaknesses. Gordon is a solid RB2 with his recent rushing efficiency and favorable matchup outweighing concerns about Miami’s overall offensive production.
Woody Marks, RB (HOU)
Woody Marks has become an increasingly important part of Houston’s offense, and with David Montgomery now ruled out for Week 7 due to a groin injury, he’s positioned to handle another substantial workload. Marks played approximately 78% of the offensive snaps against Jacksonville in Week 6, handling 15 carries for 56 yards while adding two receptions for 25 yards on three targets. He finished with 10.1 PPR points despite failing to score a touchdown, and he’s now handled double-digit carries in consecutive games while averaging 11.3 PPR points over that stretch. With Montgomery officially sidelined, Marks should remain the clear leader of Houston’s backfield, giving him a dependable opportunity for both rushing attempts and receiving production.
The Giants have allowed 20.0 PPR points per game to running backs, ranking 12th-most, while surrendering the fifth-most rushing yards and 4.76 yards per carry to the position. New York has allowed a running back to score at least 12.9 PPR points in every game this season, and seven opposing backs have reached double-digit fantasy production. The Giants have also struggled to prevent yards before contact, ranking 29th against running backs in that category, creating a favorable matchup for a Houston offensive line that hasn’t consistently opened rushing lanes. With C.J. Stroud playing considerably better and the Texans entering as substantial favorites, Marks could benefit from a positive game script and additional second-half carries. His Week 6 performance shows that a heavy workload doesn’t guarantee elite production, but the combination of a favorable matchup and a potentially dominant backfield role makes Marks a strong RB2 start with legitimate top-15 upside in Week 7.
Running Backs to Sit
Emanuel Wilson, RB (SEA)
Emanuel Wilson’s fantasy value has become increasingly difficult to trust after a promising stretch in Seattle’s backfield. Wilson handled 24 and 22 touches in consecutive games before seeing his workload decline against Denver in Week 6, finishing with 14 carries for 52 yards and no receptions for just 5.2 PPR points. His snap share dropped to 33%, while his share of the backfield opportunities declined from 73% to 60%. Although Wilson still handled the majority of Seattle’s running back opportunities, George Holani played most of the fourth-quarter and overtime snaps and scored the team’s only rushing touchdown. Velus Jones Jr. also entered the rotation with five touches, creating additional competition. Zach Charbonnet’s potential return from his ACL injury adds another concern, as he participated fully in Wednesday’s practice and could make his season debut against Kansas City.
Kansas City has allowed just 16.2 PPR points per game to running backs, the sixth-fewest in the NFL, while ranking among the league’s ten strongest defenses against opposing rushing attacks in EPA-based evaluations. The Chiefs have also limited opposing backfields to approximately 2.4 fantasy points below their expected production, making this a difficult matchup even for running backs with secure workloads. Wilson’s situation is considerably less appealing because Seattle could divide carries among multiple options, reducing his opportunity to generate volume or goal-line production. The Seahawks have also struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack, creating additional concerns against a disciplined Kansas City defense. I’m sitting Wilson in standard leagues because his declining playing time, increased backfield competition and difficult matchup make him a risky flex option, particularly if Charbonnet returns.
Josh Jacobs, RB (GB)
Josh Jacobs is eligible to make his season debut against Detroit after missing Green Bay’s first six games while on the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List. He was reinstated on October 19, allowing him to return to team activities and begin preparing for Week 7. Jacobs has been one of the NFL’s most productive touchdown scorers during his time with the Packers, recording 30 touchdowns across his previous 32 regular-season appearances. However, he hasn’t played in a game this season, and Matt LaFleur indicated Wednesday that the team was still evaluating how to handle his return. Green Bay has relied on several running backs during his absence, with Pierre Strong Jr. emerging as a receiving option after recording five catches for 39 yards against Dallas in Week 6. Jacobs remains the most talented runner in the backfield, but expecting him to immediately handle his usual workload after six weeks away introduces unnecessary risk.
Detroit has allowed just 16.8 PPR points per game to running backs, ranking tenth-fewest in the NFL, although that doesn’t mean the Lions have completely shut down opposing backfields. Travis Etienne, James Cook, and Chuba Hubbard have each scored at least 14.8 PPR points against Detroit this season, demonstrating that productive performances remain possible. However, Jacobs’ uncertain snap share and potential receiving competition make it difficult to project the kind of workload needed for dependable RB1 production. This game carries significant scoring potential, and Jacobs could certainly capitalize if Green Bay gives him the majority of the goal-line opportunities. The bigger concern is his lack of game action and uncertain football readiness rather than a specific injury. I’m avoiding Jacobs as an automatic starter in Week 7 and treating him as a volatile RB2 or flex option until Green Bay demonstrates that he’s ready to resume a full workload.
Ashton Jeanty, RB (LV)
Ashton Jeanty has remained productive in fantasy football despite struggling to generate consistent rushing production. He’s averaging 16.7 PPR points per game as the RB12, but much of that value has come through the passing game, where he’s averaging 4.3 receptions for 41.8 yards and 10.5 PPR points per contest, including two receiving touchdowns this season. Jeanty has failed to exceed 28 rushing yards in either of his last two games, receiving just ten carries in each appearance while continuing to manage ankle and foot injuries. His rushing workload has also become less secure, with Mike Washington Jr. handling nine carries for 43 yards against Buffalo in Week 6 while Dylan Laube has also earned additional opportunities. Although Jeanty scored his first rushing touchdown of the season last week, his declining rushing efficiency and limited carries have made him increasingly dependent on receiving production to deliver strong fantasy performances.
The Rams have allowed 17.3 PPR points per game to running backs, ranking 12th-fewest in the NFL, and have held opposing backs below 22 fantasy points in all but one game this season. Los Angeles has also been effective at limiting explosive offensive plays, creating a difficult matchup for a Las Vegas rushing attack that hasn’t consistently generated positive gains. Jeanty’s receiving involvement provides a dependable fantasy floor, but his limited rushing production makes it difficult to justify treating him as an automatic RB1 against a solid defense. The Raiders could also be forced into a pass-heavy game script, creating opportunities for receptions while further reducing his rushing attempts. I’m viewing Jeanty as a high-end RB2 rather than a must-start RB1 and would consider benching him for running backs with healthier workloads and more favorable matchups.
