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Who should I start for Week 1? Fantasy football outlooks for Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Our expert fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks.
There are a few injuries, no bye weeks, and it's Week 1. I hope for your sake you aren't reading this article with running back roster woes.
One thing is for sure, however: your flex questions need answers, and this trio of running backs (Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler, and Tyrone Tracy Jr.) may be in consideration.
This article will break down their matchups and opportunities to help you decide if any of these running backs are startable in Week 1.
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Should I Start Nick Chubb for Fantasy Football Week 1?
How much does volume and a beneficial matchup matter? That's what fantasy managers will need to ask themselves when looking at Chubb for Week 1, because, by reports from training camp, his talent is waning.
The 29-year-old ran for a career-low 3.3 yards per carry last season in Cleveland, 1.7 yards fewer than his previous worst effort. A brutal leg injury in 2023 zapped some of his speed, and another injury (foot fracture) prematurely ended his 2024 season. How much do his legs have to give?
We'll find out early, as the veteran projects to start for the injured Joe Mixon (foot/ankle). Dameon Pierce and fourth-round rookie Woody Marks figure to mix in, but Chubb should see the lion's share of the work against a Los Angeles Rams' defense that surrendered 4.6 yards per carry a year ago.
Deep Sleeper: Woody Marks (Overall ADP: 196)
- Late-round flier with a three-down collegiate résumé and pass-game chops
- Zero expectation for Mixon to return, aging Nick Chubb, journeyman Ogunbawale in front
- Traded future 3rd to draft him this yearpic.twitter.com/tb107sv8oX
— Connor Allen (@ConnorAllenNFL) September 1, 2025
The volume may not even lead to flex-worthy fantasy numbers, unfortunately, as Chubb runs behind what Pro Football Focus ranks as the worst offensive line in football. Chubb, at this age, won't create for himself. He'll need the road graders to open a path, and it remains to be seen if they will.
Chubb was drafted well outside the top 36 running backs in redraft formats, and doesn't need his name called for a starting roster spot this early in the season.
Should I Start Austin Ekeler for Fantasy Football Week 1?
There are a handful of ambiguous backfields entering Week 1 of the 2025 season. The (presumed) three-way attacks in Jacksonville and Washington are the toughest to predict.
When the Commanders traded incumbent starter Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers during training camp, the fantasy football community celebrated the inevitable emergence of seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The rookie's display of talent over the summer contributed to the trade, as did the play of Chris Rodriguez Jr., but veteran Ekeler was the name left out of the headlines.
The 30-year-old was utilized as a change-of-pace to Robinson last season, averaging fewer than seven rushing attempts and three receptions per game. His reception average was his lowest since 2018, but nearly three catches per game adds a nice little bonus in PPR leagues.
However, Ekeler's opportunities on the ground may not see a significant increase. If things shake out as projected, Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt will get a share of the early-down work, with Ekeler taking a few himself and third-down plays.
Just trying to imagine this place in one week if...
Chris Rodriguez leads the Commanders RBs in rush attempts
Jauan Jennings leads the 49ers in targets
J.K. Dobbins leads the Broncos in rush attempts— Heath Cummings (@heathcummingssr) September 1, 2025
If fantasy managers have the luxury to wait and see the division of labor, they should take that opportunity. Ekeler likely wasn't drafted to be a fantasy football starter anyway, so the decision to sit him shouldn't be a difficult one, even in a plus matchup against the New York Giants.
Should I Start Tyrone Tracy Jr. for Fantasy Football Week 1?
The Cam Skattebo hubbub dropped Tracy's stock this summer, and, despite the rookie missing a large chunk of training camp with an injury, the returning starter's ADP didn't move much. Therefore, fantasy managers who waited to select their second starting running back had the opportunity to snag Tracy in the sixth or seventh round.
Tracy was one of the last "starting" running backs selected this summer because he plays in a crowded backfield on what projects to be a below-average offense. The Russell Wilson-led unit should be noticeably better than the 2024 version, quarterbacked by Daniel Jones, Tommy DeVito, and Drew Lock. Tracy racked up 1,123 scrimmage yards on a bumbling, bottom-three offense last season.
Skattebo is one of the few things that can derail Tracy's repeat campaign.
People act like Tyrone Tracy Jr. wasn’t one of the most efficient tackle-breaking RB prospects to come out in recent memory (4.00+ yards AFTER-contact for his career).
They act like they forget he’s an elite athlete (4.48 40 & 40” vertical at 5’11”/209; 5th fastest shuttle time… pic.twitter.com/N0yiUUvyrZ
— David J. Gautieri (@GuruFantasyWrld) August 14, 2025
Tracy is a collegiate wide receiver who can excel as a dump-off target for Wilson, in addition to what he contributes on the ground. He may have to do most of his damage through handoffs and pitches on Sunday. The Washington Commanders were one of the worst rush defenses last season (4.89 yards per carry to running backs), but surrendered the fewest receptions and receiving yards to running backs.
Tracy snagged one pass for three yards in two games against Washington last season (he didn't start Week 2 and played sparingly behind Devin Singletary). Still, Tracy should get plenty of opportunities to place him in the low-ceiling flex range. If fantasy managers need a safe option, Tracy should get the job done.
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to start...
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 1 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Outlooks. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 1. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
Week 1 Player Decisions. Today's focus in on specific players - Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler, Tyrone Tracy Jr.. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 1.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player name. In the second box, search for the second player name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Start? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players that are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do, is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circle), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 1 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 1 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 1 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 1 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler and Tyrone Tracy Jr. compared to others:
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