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Fantasy Football Running Backs to Avoid in Week 2: Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara, and More

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season is upon us, and fantasy football players are looking for guidance on which running backs to avoid in their lineups. According to expert analyst and fantasy football expert, Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, Austin Ekeler, and Jerome Ford are among the running backs to avoid. Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles' star running back, is expected to face the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been stingy against running backs, allowing just 41 yards to Los Angeles Chargers running backs in Week 1. Kamara, the New Orleans Saints' veteran, will face the San Francisco 49ers, who held Seattle Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnett to a combined 67 yards on 22 carries in Week 1.

Key Takeaways:

  • Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles' star running back, falls at No. 16 in expert analyst's Week 2 rankings and may be a borderline RB2 due to a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Alvin Kamara, the New Orleans Saints' veteran, sits at No. 25 in the expert analyst's rankings and may be considered a lower-end RB2 or flex play due to a favorable matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Aaron Jones, the Minnesota Vikings' veteran, provided RB1 value in Week 1 but was inefficient and may be a fringe flex play due to a tough matchup against the Atlanta Falcons' defense.
  • Austin Ekeler, the Washington Commanders' running back, is in a timeshare with fellow back Jacory Croskey-Merritt and may not be a reliable fantasy starter due to a tough matchup against the Green Bay Packers' defense.
  • Jerome Ford, the Cleveland Browns' veteran, hasn't been consistent and may not be a reliable fantasy starter due to an unfavorable matchup against the Baltimore Ravens' defense.

Statistics:

  • 57 yards: the amount of rushing yards Saquon Barkley totaled against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
  • 25 carries: the number of carries Barkley had against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
  • 2.3 yards per tote: Barkley's average yards per carry against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
  • 47/25: the ratio of rushing yards gained by Barkley against the Chiefs in the two teams' last meeting.
  • 41 yards: the amount of rushing yards allowed by the Kansas City Chiefs to Los Angeles Chargers running backs in Week 1.
  • 88 rushing yards: the amount of rushing yards allowed by the Kansas City Chiefs to an opposing running back over their last 28 games, including the playoffs.

Sources:

  • Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Saquon Barkley is among my five fantasy football running backs to avoid in lineups in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season.
  • Expert analyst's Week 2 running back rankings (listed above)

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