Ahh, fantasy football. The chaos is officially back, and Week 1 certainly gave us plenty to talk about. Some of you are probably feeling great about the production you got from your running backs, while others may already be looking for alternatives after some disappointing performances or unexpected changes in workload. Week 1 can reveal a lot about a backfield, and there are several running back sleepers and streamers worth keeping an eye on heading into Week 2.
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Week 2 Running Back Streamers
Kaelon Black — San Francisco 49ers
Black surprisingly led the 49ers in rushing attempts during their Week 1 win over the Rams, finishing with 14 carries for 65 yards. McCaffrey had just 10 carries. Black was also the only San Francisco running back other than McCaffrey to record a carry.
The workload is what immediately caught my attention. Black played 44% of the offensive snaps and looked like the clear No. 2 option behind McCaffrey. Jordan James was inactive for the opener, which further solidified Black’s position on the depth chart.
According to Next Gen Stats, Black ranked 14th among running backs in efficiency at 3.73. Based on the Week 1 usage, Black would immediately enter the RB1 conversation if CMC were to ever miss time. Even without an injury, Black could have some RB3/flex appeal if the 49ers continue giving him a meaningful workload.
Chris Brooks — Green Bay Packers
The Packers’ backfield remains a bit of a headache. With Josh Jacobs unavailable, the expectation was that MarShawn Lloyd would get first chances at being the guy to replace him. That wasn’t exactly how Week 1 played out. Lloyd finished with 13 carries for 37 yards, while Brooks had seven carries for 29 yards. Lloyd clearly received more rushing attempts, but Brooks actually led the Packers’ backfield in snaps, 38 to 30.
Neither player was particularly efficient, which makes this a difficult backfield to trust immediately. Still, the situation is worth monitoring while Jacobs remains unavailable.
Lloyd is the player I’d prioritize between the two, but Brooks shouldn’t be ignored in deeper leagues. The fact that he already saw significant playing time gives him some appeal if his role grows in the coming weeks.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
Week 2 Running Back Sleepers
Braelon Allen — New York Jets
Allen is someone that, especially for deeper leagues, managers should at least stash. Allen carried the ball 10 times for 40 yards against the Titans and actually had a touchdown wiped away because of a holding penalty. He also played 40.3% of the Jets’ offensive snaps. The biggest appeal here is his role behind Breece Hall. Allen is clearly the handcuff, and that becomes valuable in fantasy football whenever you’re talking about a running back with Hall’s workload.
The Jets had a favorable matchup against Tennessee, and we shouldn’t automatically assume this type of workload will continue every week.
Kendre Miller — New Orleans Saints
Miller’s NFL career has been heavily impacted by injuries, but he gave fantasy managers something to think about in Week 1. Miller finished with nine carries for 30 yards and a touchdown, matching Travis Etienne Jr. for the team lead in rushing attempts. He scored the Saints’ first touchdown during their 31-30 overtime loss to the Lions.
Kamara missed Week 1 while recovering from an MCL sprain and could potentially return as soon as Week 2. Miller played just 26 of New Orleans’ 90 offensive snaps and wasn’t targeted in the passing game.
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders — Cleveland Browns
Sanders is an interesting name to monitor. He saw just one carry in Week 1, but he made an impact in the passing game with three receptions for 25 yards. He stepped into Cleveland’s receiving-back role and showed some burst after the catch.
#Browns Dylan Sampson on crutches after game, brace on left knee
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 13, 2026
With Sampson dealing with a knee injury, Â Sanders could see an expanded role moving forward. More importantly, he profiles as the primary handcuff to Quinshon Judkins. Judkins is not a receiving back for this offense; combine that with Cleveland expected to trail, Sanders could see some work, especially for deep leaguers.
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