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Sit Start Running Backs for Week 2 Fantasy Football

Running back sit start Week 2 fantasy football picks for 2025. Matt's top RB starts and sits including Kenneth Walker, Javonte Williams, Dylan Sampson.

Fantasy football continues cranking up as we head into Week 2 of the NFL season! Here at RotoBaller, we're dishing out the sit/start advice for running backs to help you dominate your matchups.

RotoBaller's Matt Donnelly drops his top running back starts and sits for Week 2, looking at players like Kenneth Walker, Javonte Williams, Dylan Sampson.

Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87) - every weekday morning at 6:00 AM ET as well as Sunday Gameday at 6:00 AM ET. You can also find new weekly shows on YouTubeSpreaker, SpotifyiTunes and on the site under RotoBaller Radio podcasts. Win more in 2025 with RotoBaller!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

2025 Fantasy Football: Week 2 RB Starts/Sits

Matt Donnelly's top RB starts and sits for Week 2 of the 2025 fantasy football season:

Thanks for listening to today's episode! Be sure to tune in throughout the week, and to also follow RotoBaller on Twitter, YouTube, Spotify and iTunes for the latest fantasy news and analysis.

 

Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlooks

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III is a flex player with upside in Week 2 when Seattle visits the Pittsburgh Steelers. Walker's 40% Week 1 snap share was concerning. That number figures to rise, given that Walker was working back from injuries throughout the offseason, but he does not appear poised to maintain the workhorse role he once held in this backfield. Walker was the preferred pass-catching running back in Week 1, which gives him a solid base in fantasy.

Seattle is facing a Steelers' defense on Sunday that should be solid all-around. However, they just got torched on the ground and through the air by a Jets offense that many considered to be below average coming into the season. With Seattle now having a week to see what their new offense looks like, they should be able to make adjustments and have more success in Week 2. Walker has lost his status as an RB2, but he can be started in your flex.

Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams is "clearly" the starter, according to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. After some offseason uncertainty about how Dallas would deploy its backfield, Williams put concerns to rest with a strong Week 1 showing in Philadelphia. He logged 17 touches for 64 total yards and two touchdowns, proving he can handle goal-line work and sustain drives.

''Schottenheimer later admitted he wished he had given Williams even more opportunities, which signals that his workload could increase moving forward. That's encouraging news for fantasy managers, especially given Dallas' lack of a true challenger for lead-back duties. Looking ahead to Week 2, Williams draws a favorable matchup against the New York Giants, who were gashed for 220 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 32 carries by Washington in Week 1. The Giants' front seven struggled mightily at the point of attack, giving Williams a chance to post another high-volume day with scoring upside.

Williams is a strong RB2 with RB1 upside this week. His locked-in goal-line role, combined with the Giants' weak run defense, makes him a must-start. If he continues to dominate touches in this backfield, he could quickly become one of the most reliable fantasy starters of the season -- health permitting.

Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson will head on the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. Sampson turned in an excellent pro debut in a one-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, catching all eight of his targets for 64 yards. He also dominated the backfield work, earning 12 carries to starter Jerome Ford's six in the contest.

Sampson appears to be locked into the pass-catching role in the Cleveland offense, a spot that should be productive against a Ravens defense that allowed James Cook to catch all five of his targets for 58 yards in Week 1. Sampson sets up as a high-end RB3/flex option with upside heading into fantasy contests in Week 2. Jerome Ford and Quinshon Judkins are both expected to be involved in the running game as well.

 

Who Should I Start Tool

Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:

Who Should I Start for 11?

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Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 2 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding players like Kenneth Walker, Javonte Williams, Dylan Sampson. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 2. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 2 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 2 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Kenneth Walker, Javonte Williams, Dylan Sampson. These are some of the most common searches for fantasy football lineups in Week 2.

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's name. In the second box, search for the second player's 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 who 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 circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.

Popular Week 2 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 2 (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 2 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons

Below are some popular Week 2 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool for Kenneth Walker, Javonte Williams, Dylan Sampson compared to others:

Kenneth Walker III
vs
Ricky Pearsall
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Parker Washington
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Oronde Gadsden II
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Zach Charbonnet
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Jake Ferguson
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Troy Franklin
Kenneth Walker III
vs
DJ Moore
Kenneth Walker III
vs
David Montgomery
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Jerry Jeudy
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Khalil Shakir
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Christian McCaffrey
Kenneth Walker III
vs
De'Von Achane
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Bijan Robinson
Kenneth Walker III
vs
Jahmyr Gibbs
Kenneth Walker III
vs
James Cook III
Javonte Williams
vs
Jaylen Warren
Javonte Williams
vs
TreVeyon Henderson
Javonte Williams
vs
Saquon Barkley
Javonte Williams
vs
Kyren Williams
Javonte Williams
vs
Rico Dowdle
Javonte Williams
vs
Justin Jefferson
Javonte Williams
vs
Trey McBride
Javonte Williams
vs
Nico Collins
Javonte Williams
vs
Ashton Jeanty
Javonte Williams
vs
Davante Adams
Javonte Williams
vs
Emeka Egbuka
Javonte Williams
vs
Christian McCaffrey
Javonte Williams
vs
De'Von Achane
Javonte Williams
vs
Bijan Robinson
Javonte Williams
vs
Jahmyr Gibbs
Javonte Williams
vs
James Cook III
Dylan Sampson
vs
Elijah Higgins
Dylan Sampson
vs
Michael Carter
Dylan Sampson
vs
Roman Wilson
Dylan Sampson
vs
Ryan Flournoy
Dylan Sampson
vs
Greg Dulcich
Dylan Sampson
vs
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Dylan Sampson
vs
Jaylin Noel
Dylan Sampson
vs
Jaret Patterson
Dylan Sampson
vs
Justice Hill
Dylan Sampson
vs
Darnell Washington
Dylan Sampson
vs
Sterling Shepard
Dylan Sampson
vs
Christian McCaffrey
Dylan Sampson
vs
De'Von Achane
Dylan Sampson
vs
Bijan Robinson
Dylan Sampson
vs
Jahmyr Gibbs
Dylan Sampson
vs
James Cook III

More Fantasy Football Analysis



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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Dereck Lively II

Downgraded to Unavailable on Wednesday
Ja Morant

Unavailable Wednesday
Sam LaPorta

Misses Practice With Back Injury Wednesday
Isaiah Stewart

Sidelined Again on Wednesday
Jalen Duren

Downgraded Versus Chicago
Cade Cunningham

Ruled Out On Wednesday
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Available to Suit Up Wednesday
Zach LaVine

Won't Play on Wednesday Evening
Josh Giddey

Sidelined on Wednesday
J.K. Dobbins

Not Practicing, IR Move Undecided
Zach Hyman

Nearing Season Debut
Davante Adams

Out Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 11
Colten Ellis

to Make Second Career Start Wednesday
Adam Erne

to Miss "a Few Weeks"
Paul George

Moving Closer to Return
Tyson Foerster

on Track to Return Wednesday
Joel Embiid

Showing No Structural Issues in Right Knee
Kayshon Boutte

Ruled Out for Thursday Night
Andre Burakovsky

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Frank Nazar

Out on Wednesday
Rhamondre Stevenson

Ruled Out For Thursday
Brock Purdy

Working Toward Starting Sunday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Sidelined on Wednesday
Bradley Beal

Will Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery
C.J. Stroud

Not at Practice, Set for Another Missed Game?
J.J. McCarthy

Nursing Hand Injury, Set to Play on Sunday
Romeo Doubs

"Should be Good to Go" on Sunday
Rico Dowdle

Held Out on Wednesday, Should Fantasy Managers be Worried?
Lamar Jackson

has Knee Soreness, "Should be Good" for Week 11
Garrett Wilson

Officially Ruled Out for Thursday Night
Brian Thomas Jr.

Practicing, on Track to Return in Week 11?
Joe Burrow

Looking Sharp at Practice
Isiah Pacheco

Won't Practice on Wednesday
Calvin Ridley

Back at Wednesday's Practice
Chris Godwin

"Making Good Strides" and "Running"
Jaxson Dart

in Concussion Protocol, Won't Start in Week 11
Jameis Winston

Will Start in Week 11 for Giants
Dalton Kincaid

Won't Practice on Wednesday
CFB

Still No Update on Jermod McCoy's Return Timeline
Rhamondre Stevenson

Expected to Reclaim Lead-Back Role When Healthy?
Sami Valimaki

Riding Momentum Into Bermuda
Matthieu Pavon

Struggling Through a Rough Season
Taylor Montgomery

Hopes to Get Back on Track at Port Royal
Ben Martin

a Risky Play at Bermuda Championship
Bradley Beal

Out with Hip Soreness
Mark Hubbard

Primed for a Bounce-Back Week in Bermuda
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Questionable with Back Spasms
Dereck Lively II

Questionable with Knee Sprain
Boone Jenner

Exits Win With Upper-Body Injury
Lee Hodges

Searching for a Spark in Bermuda
Bilal Coulibaly

Out with Calf Contusion
Frederik Andersen

Pulled by Concussion Spotter
Valeri Nichushkin

Sustains Lower-Body Injury in Win
Jaylon Tyson

Out with Concussion
Thatcher Demko

Suffers Lower-Body Injury Tuesday
Tobias Harris

Out on Wednesday
Thomas Chabot

Injured Versus Stars
Anthony Stolarz

Exits Early Tuesday
Auston Matthews

Hurt in Tuesday's Loss
Bam Adebayo

Still Out Wednesday
Cooper Flagg

Good to Go Wednesday
Anthony Davis

Questionable to Suit Up Wednesday
Stephen Vogt

Wins Back-to-Back AL Manager of the Year Honors
Milwaukee Brewers

Pat Murphy Named NL Manager of the Year Again
Patrick Fishburn

Looking to Bounce Back in Bermuda
Eric Cole

Carrying Momentum into Bermuda
Tommy Edman

to Have Ankle Surgery Next Week
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks Unlikely to Trade Ketel Marte
Roman Anthony

to Have a Normal Offseason
Jarren Duran

Red Sox Think Jarren Duran Needs a Fresh Start
MacKenzie Gore

Nationals Expected to Trade MacKenzie Gore?
Sahith Theegala

Finishes Tied for 27th at Bank of Utah Championship
Sam Stevens

Finishes Tied for 36th at Baycurrent Classic
Patrick Rodgers

Finishes Tied For Sixth at World Wide Technology Championship
Luke List

Finishes 75th at World Wide Technology Championship
Ben Kohles

Finishes Tied for 63rd at World Wide Technology Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied for 14th at World Wide Technology Championship
Luke Clanton

Finishes Tied for 46th at World Wide Technology Championship
Blades Brown

Finishes Tied for 18th at Korn Ferry Tour Championship
Victor Hedman

Iffy for Wednesday
Ryan McDonagh

to Sit Out "a Few Games"
Charlie McAvoy

Back in Action Tuesday
Scott Laughton

Unavailable Tuesday
Ryan Strome

Won't Play Tuesday
Shayne Gostisbehere

Ready to Face Capitals
Thatcher Demko

Returns to Canucks Crease Tuesday
Tarik Skubal

Tigers Unlikely to Trade Tarik Skubal
Framber Valdez

Cubs Could Land Framber Valdez in Free Agency
Jake Walman

Plays Key Role in Comeback Victory
Sandy Alcantara

Marlins Ready to Trade Sandy Alcantara
Ketel Marte

Diamondbacks Motivated to Move Ketel Marte
Hunter Greene

Reds to Listen to Offers on Hunter Greene
Paul Skenes

Pirates Won't Trade Paul Skenes
Pete Alonso

Mets Expected to Let Pete Alonso Walk in Free Agency
Kyle Tucker

to Sign With Yankees, Blue Jays, or Dodgers
Drake Baldwin

Named NL Rookie of the Year
Kyle Hendricks

Hanging Up his Cleats After 12 Seasons
Freddy Peralta

Red Sox Linked to Freddy Peralta
Nick Kurtz

Named AL Rookie of the Year
CFB

Nic Anderson Could Return for LSU this Season
Emmanuel Clase

Indicted on Gambling Charges, Facing 65 Years in Prison
Randy Brown

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Gabriel Bonfim

Extends His Win Streak
Joseph Morales

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Matt Schnell

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Muslim Salikhov

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Uros Medic

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ismael Bonfim

Loses Back-to-Back Fights
Chris Padilla

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Marco Tulio

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Christian Leroy Duncan

Scores Second-Round Knockout Victory
Aaron Judge

Headlines AL Silver Slugger Award Winners
Randy Brown

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Main Event
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Joseph Morales

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 111
Matt Schnell

Set For UFC Vegas 111 Co-Main Event
Uros Medic

Aims To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Muslim Salikhov

Looks For His Fourth Consecutive Win
Chris Padilla

Looks To Remain Unbeaten In The UFC
Ismael Bonfim

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Marco Tulio

Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Christian Leroy Duncan

Set To Open Up UFC Vegas 111 Main Card

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP