Fantasy Player Projections

Maurice Jones-Drew

Jones-Drew put in a workmanlike effort against a top notch defense, despite the quarterbacking troubles. He'll get a much easier matchup against the Panthers this week.

Adrian Peterson

Peterson was a beast against the Bucs, and will likely be the focal point of the offense again as the Vikings try to keep the ball out of Matthew Stafford's hands.

Ray Rice

Rice was more of a factor catching passes out of the backfield than rushing the ball in Week 2, but remains one of the top running back options every week regardless of the matchup.

Shonn Greene

Greene's workload was a bit heavier in Week 2 than Week 1, but he is still not performing nearly as well as the team would like. However, he faces a Raiders' defense that is 6th worst in the NFL against the run, which is good news for Greene.

Ben Tate

Tate is picking up right where Arian Foster left off last season, and will likely shoulder the load again with the Texans taking it slowly with Foster after he aggravated his hamstring injury.

Chris Johnson

Could be poised to get back up to speed against Denver after a quiet first two games following his holdout.

Rashard Mendenhall

Mendenhall should be relied on heavily against the Colts, as the Steelers should be able to control the ball all game.

LeSean McCoy

McCoy faces a Giants' defense that is 3rd in the NFL at stopping the run, although he remains an excellent pass catcher who could have a few opportunities on screen plays against the Giants' agressive pass rush.

Ahmad Bradshaw

Bradshaw continues to top the Giants' running back depth chart, but he's starting to lose carries to Brandon Jacobs, who got into the end zone last week. The Eagles have struggled to stop the run, which is good news for both backs.

Frank Gore

Gore has gotten plenty of work so far this season, but he isn't doing much with his opportunities. He is averaging 2.5 yards per carry but now goes up against a Bengals' defense that gave up 101 yards to Willis McGahee.

Michael Turner

Though he doesn't look like the Turner of old, getting caught from behind a few times this year, he couldn't ask for a better matchup after Adrian Peterson just ran all over the Bucs for 120 yards and two scores.

Ryan Mathews

Mathews outplayed Mike Tolbert last week, although the two continue to share touches out of the backfield. Mathews is a bit better catching passes out of the backfield and he could be very active against the Chiefs.

Darren McFadden

McFadden is coming off two very impressive outings, but he'll face a tough test against the Jets' run defense. Through two games, the Jets have given up only 88 rushing YPG, although McFadden may be able to do damage catching passes out of the backfield.

LeGarrette Blount

Blount had a big bounce-back game after a Week 1 dud, scoring twice against the Vikings. The good news is the Bucs didn't abandon the run when down, and still feed their best back.

Jahvid Best

Best had one of the better running back performances of Week 2, and now goes up against a Vikings' run defense that was run over by LeGarrette Blount.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

The Bills' run defense has performed a bit better than its secondary, and the Patriots will try to pass their way to a lead. If they can build one up, Green-Ellis will be there to run it out late.

Peyton Hillis

Hillis had a big game and big workload in Week 2 but his YPC is becoming a concern. He missed practice Friday with an illness, so make sure to verify his status Sunday.

Pierre Thomas

Sean Payton is still trying to figure out how to use all three of his running backs, making Thomas a very risky option from week-to-week.

Chris Wells

Wells is working on back-to-back games of at least 90 rushing yards and 1 TD and he has clearly established himself as the workhorse back in Arizona, but now he's being called a game-time decision for Week 3.

Mark Ingram

Ingram has led the Saints in rush attempts in consecutive weeks, but is yet to find pay dirt. That could end this week after the Texans just gave up 153 yards on the ground to Dolphins.

Arian Foster

Foster aggravated his hamstring injury against the Dolphins, and is giving his fantasy owners headaches. His workload and even status for the game remains in the air; hopefully owners drafted Ben Tate as a handcuff as well.

Deji Karim

Karim is getting a good amount of touches while keeping MJD fresh, he just isn't doing much with them.

Brandon Jacobs

Jacobs' role increased last week vs. Week 1, but he still is the backup to Ahmad Bradshaw. He'll always get at least one look when the Giants are near the end zone and he could break through against a weak Eagles' run defense.

Mike Tolbert

Tolbert struggled last week against the Patriots, including a costly fumble that was followed by a Patriots' TD, although the team is still confident in his abilities and he will continue to split touches with Ryan Mathews.

Matt Forte

While the Packers are yet to give up 100 total yards rushing in their first two games, there are few backs running as well as Forte early on. As a weapon running and catching the ball out of the backfield, Forte is a a top fantasy option week in and out.

Michael Bush

Bush continues to play second fiddle to Darren McFadden, but he was able to poach a short touchdown last week against Buffalo. He won't get more playing time as long as McFadden is healthy, but he is always a possibility when the Raiders get in close.

Knowshon Moreno

Moreno continues to battle a hamstring injury and even if he does make it on the field, he will likely lose carries to Willis McGahee, who had a very good game last week and already gets the touches near the goal line.

Jamie Harper

Won't have much of role as the No. 3 running back.

James Starks

Starks is becoming the man in the backfield for Green Bay after last season's playoff and a quick start this year. The Bears' run defense is a tough matchup, but Starks is the guy you want to play from the Packers' backfield.

Fred Jackson

After two weeks, Jackson is the NFL's leading rusher, although he now faces a Patriots' defense that is much better against the run than against the pass.

Daniel Thomas

Thomas had a very successful debut last week against the Texans, rushing for 107 yards on 18 carries. Reggie Bush is still considered the starter, but Thomas will likely get number of carries for himself.

Steven Jackson

Jackson missed last week's game against the Giants with his hamstring injury and he's a game-time decision once again. Even if he's able to get back on the field, the Ravens' defense is excellent against the run.

DeMarco Murray

Murray could see some extra carries this week if Felix Jones can't go. He will likely split looks with Tashard Choice if Jones is out, but Murray definitely has the higher upside of the two.

C.J. Spiller

Spiller is firmly planted behind Fred Jackson on the depth chart, but the Bills are starting to look for more ways to get him involved. The Patriots are good at stopping the run and Spiller could be valuable in the passing attack.

DeAngelo Williams

The Panthers run game and Williams have struggled to start the year, especially considering the Panthers have played from behind a great deal. If that can change this week, Williams should return to old form.

Cedric Benson

Benson is the Bengals' workhorse, but the Niners have been excellent in stopping the run this year.

Tim Hightower

The Dallas defense has been excellent against the run so far this season and Hightower will have his work cut out for him. He continues to be the No. 1 running back option in Washington, but this could be a tough week.

Joseph Addai

Addai was the Colts' most productive player against the Browns, but the Steelers are another animal.

Reggie Bush

Bush struggled last week against the Texans, needing six carries to reach 18 yards and adding a single catch for three more yards. Rookie Daniel Thomas had a solid debut, although Tony Sparano has said Bush will remain the starter with a big role.

Jason Snelling

Snelling will continue to be a pass catching threat out of the backfield, but his upside is capped there.

Justin Forsett

The Seahawks' rushing attack is a mess right now and Forsett isn't going to be given any more carries as long as Marshawn Lynch remains healthy. Even if there are more touches this week, there isn't much breakout potential.

LaDainian Tomlinson

Tomlinson had a down performance last week against the Jaguars, but the Jets were comfortably in the lead for most of the game, which meant they could rest the veteran. He now faces an Oakland defense that was shredded last week by the Bills.

Jonathan Stewart

Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are essentially rotating series, and despite being pass-catching weapons neither has been able to do much on carries so far. A hot-hand situation looms.

Dexter McCluster

McCluster's role grew much bigger after Jamaal Charles went down with a season-ending injury and he could get plenty of looks out of the backfield. He may get fewer carries than Thomas Jones, but his upside is much higher.

Earnest Graham

Graham continues to come in on pass situations and actually leads the team in receptions, making him an interesting PPR option, even with LeGarrette Blount hogging carries.

Danny Woodhead

Woodhead has gotten a fair amount of work out of the backfield, although he hasn't crossed the goal-line quite yet. With plenty of weapons around, it's tough to see Woodhead having a big fantasy impact.

Shane Vereen

Jerome Harrison

Harrison will get limited action as long as Jahvid Best is healthy and playing well.

Darren Sproles

Sproles is being used as one of the better pass-catching options out of the backfield by Sean Payton, making him an excellent PPR option. Though his carries and red zone work leave a bit to be desired.

Marshawn Lynch

Lynch has 44 yards in two games this season while averaging only 2.3 YPC. On the bright side, the Cardinals' run defense is not as good as the two he's already faced, so there is at least some upside potential.

Alex Green

Felix Jones

Jones is trying to work his way through an injured shoulder and it's possible that he doesn't suit up at all (the extra day before the game is certainly helpful). The Redskins are pretty strong against the run, so Jones isn't expected to have a huge game.

Willis McGahee

McGahee did a great job filling in for the injured Knowshon Moreno last week, enough so that there is talk that he could keep the starting job. The Titans have been decent against the run and if the Broncos get near the goal-line, it's all McGahee.

Ryan Torain

Torain hasn't gotten a single look this season and is firmly locked behind Tim Hightower and Roy Helu, Jr. on the depth chart.

Ricky Williams

Williams saw only four touches during Week 2's loss and will have a hard time finding the field as long as Ray Rice is running at a high level.

Jerious Norwood

If Steven Jackson isn't healthy enough to go, Norwood would take over the backup role with Cadillac Williams (assuming his own health) moving into the starting lineup. Nevertheless, it will be very hard to produce against the Ravens' run defense.

LaRod Stephens-Howling

Even if Stephens-Howling is healthy enough to go on Sunday against the Seahawks, his biggest role is on special teams thanks to Chris Wells' lock on carries out of the backfield.

Ronnie Brown

With LeSean McCoy dominating touches out of the backfield, Brown is now an afterthought in a potent Eagles' offense.

Steve Slaton

Slaton could see some increased time if both Arian Foster and Derrick Ward miss Week 3, but it looks as if Ben Tate would carry most of the load in that scenario.

Ryan Grant

Grant is starting to slowly lose the backfield battle to James Starks, but can still be productive in the Packers' high-powered offense with 10 or so touches.

Montario Hardesty

Hardesty saw only three touches as Peyton Hillis dominated the workload, but could see an increase in carries and Pat Shurmur wants to monitor Hillis' role.

Roy Helu Jr.

Helu was impressive last week against the Cardinals, gaining 112 yards from scrimmage. However, he is still behind Tim Hightower on the depth chart and faces a very tough Cowboys' run defense this week.

Cadillac Williams

Both Williams and Steven Jackson are listed as questionable this week, but whoever gets to play Sunday faces a Ravens' run defense that just held Chris Johnson to 53 yards on 24 carries.

Kendall Hunter

Javon Ringer

Ringer's rule is expected to expand a bit after Chris Johnson's slow start and his own impressive debut.

Maurice Morris

Bernard Scott

Scott just isn't getting enough touches to be relevant in fantasy.

Thomas Jones

Jones will likely see a much bigger load on Sunday thanks to the season-ending injury to Jamaal Charles. However, Jones hasn't performed particularly well this season and could lose touches to Dexter McCluster.

Chester Taylor

Taylor made his season debut last week, playing for the injured LaRod Stephews-Howling, and he recorded one carry for zero yards. He likely won't be making much of an impact in Arizona, as long as Chris Wells can play.

Leon Washington

Isaac Redman

Redman was actually more impressive than Mendenhall on Sunday, and could have another chance to showcase his abilities late in the game during clock-killing mode.

Tashard Choice

Choice will split time with DeMarco Murray if Felix Jones can't play, although he'll likely be the lesser of the two backs against the Redskins.

Delone Carter

Carter seems to be gaining ground on Addai each game, as the carries against the Browns were pretty much split, you could find better options this week though.

Toby Gerhart

Gerhart only saw three touches against the Bucs, but made the most of them, totaling 78 yards. He'll need to keep that unrealistic pace up to remain fantasy relevant.

Jacquizz Rodgers

Rodgers was able to garner a few carries last week, but still has a long way to go before making an impact.

Bilal Powell

Alfonso Smith

Marion Barber

Barber has been out of action since the preseason with a calf injury, and even if he returns this week against the Packers, with Matt Forte running so well, it would be hard to see him making a major impact.

Taiwan Jones

Le'Ron McClain

Larry Johnson

Joique Bell

Anthony Allen

Mewelde Moore

Derrick Ward

Ward has been ruled out this week.

Danny Ware

Brandon Jackson

Jamaal Charles

Lance Ball

Ball will see some added work if Knowshon Moreno can't go, but Willis McGahee is the top running back in Denver right now.

Donald Brown

Brown is buried on the depth chart and will not be a fantasy factor anytime soon.

Stefan Logan

Rashad Jennings

Mike Goodson

Joe McKnight

Anthony Dixon

Dixon had one carry during last week's game against the Cowboys and that was his season-high, which pretty much tells you how big of a role he's playing behind Frank Gore. His role likely won't change this week against the Bengals.

Keiland Williams

Williams could push Jerome Harrison for some playing time behind Jahvid Best after racking up some solid numbers in garbage time last week.

Chris Ivory

Ryan Williams

Mikel Leshoure

Stevan Ridley

Armond Smith