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 2025 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
Travis Etienne JAC
Travis Etienne reminded fantasy football managers of his big-play upside in Week 1 with 143 rushing yards on just 16 carries, highlighted by a 71-yard burst. He added three catches for 13 yards, finishing with 18.6 PPR points and accounting for 41% of Jacksonville’s total offense. The Jaguars’ decision to trade Tank Bigsby signals confidence that Etienne will remain the centerpiece of this backfield. In Week 2, he draws a Bengals defense that just allowed more than 25 fantasy points to Cleveland’s running backs, including the third-most receptions to the position. With explosive ability and a growing workload, Etienne is a must-start RB2 in all fantasy football leagues.
TreVeyon Henderson NE
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson didn’t see a heavy rushing workload in his debut, but he flashed efficiency with 27 rushing yards on five carries (5.4 YPC) and added six catches for 24 yards. While Rhamondre Stevenson remains in the mix, Henderson’s six targets show the Patriots want him involved in the passing game. That usage makes him especially valuable in PPR formats. This week, he faces a Dolphins defense that just gave up 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns to the Colts backfield. With his big-play potential and growing role, Henderson is a strong RB2 fantasy football start in Week 2 and could be on the verge of a breakout game.
JK Dobbins DEN
J.K. Dobbins looked sharp in Week 1, handling 18 touches for 68 yards and a touchdown while playing 53% of Denver’s snaps. He dominated red zone opportunities with all three of the Broncos’ carries inside the 20, signaling clear trust from the coaching staff. His efficiency metrics were strong as well, forcing missed tackles on nearly 20% of his carries and averaging 2.63 yards after contact. This week’s matchup is enticing: Indianapolis allowed the highest yards after contact per attempt and the sixth-highest rushing success rate in Week 1. With early-down and goal-line work secured, Dobbins is a solid fantasy football start in Week 2 as a borderline RB2.
Running backs to Sit
Isiah Pacheco KC
Isiah Pacheco’s Week 1 usage was concerning for fantasy football managers. He played under half the snaps (48%) and saw just seven touches, with Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith cutting into his short-yardage and passing-down work. The matchup in Week 2 is brutal: Philadelphia allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs last season, and despite Javonte Williams’ solid performance, he was inefficient. With a three-way split looming and a tough defensive front on deck, Pacheco is better off on your bench in fantasy football this week unless you’re desperate in deeper leagues.
Aaron Jones MIN
Aaron Jones salvaged his fantasy football day in Week 1 with a touchdown, but the underlying usage points to risk. He handled only 11 touches compared to Jordan Mason’s 16 and played less than half the snaps (47%). Jones also saw zero red zone carries, with Mason handling all of that valuable work. In Week 2, he faces a Falcons defense that ranked top-10 in stuff rate and missed tackle percentage in Week 1, making rushing lanes hard to find. While Atlanta did allow receptions to backs last year, Jones will need passing volume to deliver fantasy value. Given the timeshare, he’s a risky sit candidate in Week 2 outside of deeper PPR formats.
Nick Chubb HOU
Nick Chubb may be Houston’s lead back, but his Week 1 usage showed why he’s a fantasy football sit in many leagues. He handled 14 carries for 60 yards but was a complete non-factor in the passing game, failing to record a single reception. Without touchdowns or explosive runs, his fantasy floor is very low. This week’s matchup is tough: Tampa Bay just bottled up Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier on the ground, allowing just 48 rushing yards on 22 carries. Chubb’s one-dimensional role makes him touchdown-dependent, and behind Houston’
