RADIO
Andy's running back start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 3 lineups (2025). Read his expert RB start/sit advice for Jordan Mason, Cam Skattebo, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, others.
With Week 2 behind us, it's time to set our lineups for Week 3. Last week, we curshed our picks, including sitting TreVeyon Henderson and Tyrone Tracy Jr. while starting Jaylen Warren and J.K. Dobbins.
Now that we have two games of data, backfield roles are beginning to take shape, which will make it clearer to determine the top plays of the week.
In this weekly piece, we don't look at those must-start options because if you have them, you start them. Instead, we look at those low-range RB2/flex options that are on the verge of starting territory. Let's take a look at which running backs we should lock into our fantasy lineups and which ones are better off on our bench. Don't see the running back you're looking for? Be sure to check out more running back start 'em sit 'em content, and our Week 3 RB rankings on RotoBaller. Let's dive in!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 3 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms
Jordan Mason - Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Jordan Mason had intriguing sleeper appeal in drafts this season as he flashed immense upside when he was promoted to the lead job in San Francisco last season. When Christian McCaffrey was sidelined with an Achilles injury, Mason looked very productive as the RB1 and was widely regarded as one of the best waiver-wire picks of the season.
During the seven games in which Mason logged over 40 offensive snaps, the 26-year-old averaged an impressive 95.3 rushing yards per game with 14.8 PPR points per game. Mason found the back of the end zone three times and posted an elite 5.2 YPC. In the offseason, the Vikings consistently expressed their high expectations for Mason and often described him as their "Co-RB1" alongside veteran Aaron Jones Sr.
In their season opener, this prediction came true as Mason and Jones almost split work, with the slight edge going to the former 49er. During their victory over the Chicago Bears, Mason took the ball 15 times while Jones logged eight carries. However, Jones had a larger presence as a receiver. In Week 2, the entire offense struggled, but Mason still led the team in carries.
While Mason already carried flex upside with Jones on the field, the veteran hit the IR due to a hamstring injury, which will make Mason their clear bellcow of the foreseeable future.
Given his elite efficiency and three-down role, Mason is an absolute smash this week. To make things better, Mason will face a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has allowed the second-most PPR to opposing RBs. With the Vikings now relying on Carson Wentz to lead the offense, Mason could see a massive workload in this contest. View him as a must-start high-end RB2.
Jordan Mason Could Have Bellcow Workload https://t.co/X8OFOg0rB1
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 18, 2025
Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Tony Pollard has had an underwhelming start to the season, but managers should keep him in their lineup this weekend. In the first two games, Pollard has averaged a modest 9.6 PPR points per game. Despite this low output, Pollard has seen 19.0 carries per game and run 14.5 routes per game.
However, he has averaged 76 rushing yards per game and has only seen two total targets.
More importantly, the Titans have faced two elite defenses, which have significantly hindered Pollard's upside. In the first week, the Titans have faced the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams, who have legitimate top-5 defensive units. With a rookie QB under center, the offense was sure to go through growing pains, and facing those elite teams, it was hard to see Pollard making an immediate impact.
This weekend, the Titans have an excellent matchup to get their offense going, facing the Colts. While they have started off 0-2, they have allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing RBs, which should provide Pollard with a great matchup to hit double-digits fantasy points, especially when looking at the early-season gauntlet he faced.
Start him as a high-floor RB2 in all leagues.
D'Andre Swift - Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys
My final running back to start is D'Andre Swift of the Chicago Bears. Through his first two games this season, Swift has been very inefficient as a ball carrier but has still found fantasy success, primarily due to his ability as a receiver.
In Week 1, Swift ran the ball 17 times for a modest 53 yards. However, he caught three of his five targets for 12 yards. In Week 2, Swift was able to find the backfield, then the end zone, and added 63 yards on 12 attempts. Through the air, he caught three passes once again, this time for just six yards.
Even though he has relied on his volume, this weekend he could be in store for a breakout showing. The Bears will face the Dallas Cowboys, who have struggled to defend both the passing game and the rushing game. Through two weeks, they have allowed the 12th-most points to opposing RBs.
Given his upside to see at least three targets and improved efficiency he showed in Week 2, expect Swift to enjoy his best game of the season this weekend and carry solid RB2 upside.
Update - Swift is listed as questionable for this contest. Even if he were to be limited, he still would carry high-end FLEX upside given this matchup.
Week 3 Concerns - Potential Fantasy Football Busts
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Washington Commanders vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Croskey-Merritt has been one of the biggest risers in terms of fantasy throughout the opening weeks. In fact, following the Achilles injury to Austin Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt appears poised to lead the backfield in Week 3.
However, managers should lean on the side of caution and look for an alternate option for their RB2 spot this weekend. While managers in deeper leagues may not have a better alternative for a flex play, Croskey-Merritt has a difficult matchup and could disappoint, like he did in Week 2.
In Week 1, the seventh-round rookie broke out on the scene, totaling 82 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts. However, during their loss to the Packers, Croskey-Merritt was shut down, running for just 17 yards on four attempts.
With Jayden Daniels (knee) trending in the wrong direction and facing a Las Vegas defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season, this has disappointment written all over it. In addition, reports suggest that Croskey-Merritt is still developing as a pass protector and will likely cede the critical third-down snaps to Jeremy McNichols.
While he should be in store for a productive season with Ekeler sidelined, this is a trap game. You have been warned.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Sees Little Usage in Week 2, Outlook Still Trending Upwards?https://t.co/6nkLcPVW8A
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 12, 2025
Cam Skattebo - New York Giants vs. Kansas City Chiefs
After missing most of the preseason and having a minimal role in Week 1, Cam Skattebo was jolted up the depth chart in Week 2. In Week 1, the Arizona State product saw just two attempts, but was able to increase that total to 11 in Week 2. On the 11 attempts, Skattebo totaled 45 yards and a score. Through the air, he added two catchers (on three targets) for 14 yards.
While Tracy took the lead in Week 1 and still had a role as a pass catcher in Week 2, seeing that Skattebo only needed one "ramp-up" game before being deployed as the No. 1 option suggests the coaching staff views him as their RB1. In their loss to the Cowboys, he saw 51% of the snaps, while Tracy saw 42%.
Despite this, managers should pump the brakes on the rookie. This weekend, Skattebo and the Giants will face the Chiefs, who have allowed the eighth-fewest PPR possessions to popping RBs.
With the Chiefs coming into this game with their backs against the wall at 0-2, expect the Giants to spend most of this game playing from behind, which will benefit Tracy more than their early-down runner, Skattebo.
David Montgomery - Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens
Montgomery made my "sit" section last weekend, and he scored a modest 13.3 PPR points per game. However, as expected, the majority of his production came from his lone touchdown, which is not sustainable.
While Montgomery could produce on his rushing workload last season, the changing of the guard appears to be happening in the Detroit backfield. After sharing a near 50/50 split with Jahmyr Gibbs in 2024 (and 2023), Montgomery has been demoted to the clear No. 2 role this season.
Through two games, Montgomery has seen just 38% of the snaps while Gibbs has seen 61%. For a touchdown-dependent running back, that is not a good sign. In addition, through two games, Montgomery is on pace to post his lowest efficiency mark (3.7 YPC) since his rookie season. Through his first two seasons as a Lion, Montgomery averaged a strong 4.4 YPC.
With lower efficiency and facing the Baltimore Ravens in what likely will be a high-scoring affair, the "ground-and-pound" approach will likely cede most of the work to the preferred option.
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