Taking a look at the best low-owned fantasy football RB pickups to play in Week 2, including the New York Jets’ Braelon Allen.
For fantasy football managers, crowded backfields and running-back-by-committee approaches can present real headaches. On a more positive note, the more RBs that are involved in offenses around the league, the easier it can be to find viable fantasy football RB options to stream. If you are in the market for a jolt to your fantasy lineup at the RB position for Week 2, you have come to the right place!
There were a number of backfields that produced surprising results with regard to snap counts and touch distribution in Week 1. While it’s important not to overreact to a one-week sample size, much of this data could prove to be indicative of various teams’ approaches in the upcoming weeks.
Here are our top fantasy football streamers at the RB position for Week 2. Also, make sure to check out our Week 2 fantasy football rankings!
Low-Owned Fantasy Football RB Streaming Options Week 2
Braelon Allen, New York Jets (39.2%)
Coming into the season, many were expecting the Jets’ backfield to be much more evenly split than what transpired on the field in Week 1. With Breece Hall leading the way by a wide margin in both fantasy football snap counts and productivity, Braelon Allen’s stock is already taking a hit. While Hall is too good to be reduced to a 50-50 timeshare, there are plenty of silver linings for Allen.
First and foremost, it’s quite clear that the Jets want to run the ball as much as any team in the NFL. Such is life when Justin Fields is your quarterback. Allen may have only garnered six carries in the season-opener, but he also only played 20 offensive snaps. Furthermore, three of those carries came in the red zone, suggesting that New York aims to feature him in that area. It would be foolish to expect Allen to find the end zone every week, but based on how awful the Buffalo Bills’ defense was against the run last week, he may not need to do so on Sunday to post a solid fantasy football streamers output.
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (5.5%)
As is so often the case, the fantasy football world loves to overhype rookies who have yet to carve out their role on the field in the NFL. As a result, many fantasy managers were taken by surprise in Week 1 with regard to the Steelers’ backfield. Instead of highly-hyped rookie Kaleb Johnson, it was veteran Kenneth Gainwell who operated as the early-down back in a complementary role to Jaylen Warren.
Based on the fact that Gainwell’s ownership has only ticked up 3% in ESPN leagues, it’s clear that many managers could stand to take a closer look at snap counts. Gainwell may not have been very productive with his touches, but his 29 offensive snaps were four more than Warren’s and dwarfed the two that Johnson received. Sure, Johnson’s role is probably destined to expand as the season goes along. That said, there is no reason for the Steelers to rush that process. Gainwell is a widely available fantasy football RB pickup in the short term, including this week against Seattle.
More Fantasy Football Streamers Week 2
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (16.7%)
First off, I have to give Kareem Hunt some general credit. He may not be quite the player he once was, but he’s still being utilized as a capable NFL running back at age 30. That’s a feat that very few at the position manage to pull off these days. In Week 1, Hunt was on the field for 23 of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps compared to 31 for lead back, Isiah Pacheco. Interestingly enough, both players saw an identical five carries and three targets in the passing game. Neither was able to produce much with those touches against a game Los Angeles Chargers’ defense.
Looking ahead to Week 2, Hunt has seen only a 3% rise in ownership at the time of writing. The Chiefs have what figures to be another tough defensive opponent. However, it’s worth noting that the Philadelphia Eagles did look quite vulnerable against the run at times in their opener. Hunt’s fantasy football ceiling may not be super high, but Kansas City’s willingness to divvy up the workload makes him worthy of consideration.
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