Week 2 Fantasy Football Projections: RBs Who Will Doom Your Team

Running backs can break an otherwise great fantasy week, and there are certain players who must be avoided.

It’s not always the players’ fault, either. Sometimes the scheme lets them down, or their quarterback has a particularly bad game. This is unfortunate, but those things are not mentioned in the box score when it only shows two carries for four yards.

Below are some guys who should be avoided as we enter the second week of the season.

Roy Helu

It’s well known that a Washington Redskins running back is a big risk to your fantasy team, but it’s tempting to start Helu because of his game-changing ability. He has explosive speed and can leave defenders for dead, allowing him to eat up yards and take the ball to the house.

However, along with his recurring injury issues, Helu has had to deal with another threat to both him and your fantasy team.

Alfred Morris had his name called in the sixth round of this year’s draft and has tore his way up the depth chart to emerge as the starter this year. Helu has been relegated to third-down back and this will remain the case for Week 2.

Morris will start against the Rams, with Helu likely to see most of his action as an extra receiving option. It’s not his fault, but don’t make the mistake of calling his name this week.

Frank Gore

Fresh from facing Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, the San Francisco 49ers welcome Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions in Week 2.

Although Gore racked up 112 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, he is unlikely to do so again here. Detroit’s defense was a weak point against the Rams, so it will be fired up in Week 2.

Stafford will always look to take the aerial route to Calvin Johnson, so the 49ers could find themselves in a position where running the ball just won’t keep them in the game.

Gore’s carries will diminish as a result and you will wish you hadn’t started him. Don’t allow Week 1 to cloud your judgment; keep Gore as RB2.

Maurice Jones-Drew

Although Rashad Jennings left the field with a knee injury on Sunday, don’t put all your faith in Jones-Drew taking over permanently.

Mike Mularkey had previously said that Jones-Drew would be brought into the season as a third-down back following his holdout, so don’t expect that to change if Jennings is declared healthy.

Jennings looked impressive during his time on the field, rushing for 31 yards from eight carries before being forced to leave the field.

There will be a time this season when Jones-Drew is a lock to start. He will eat up the yards and be an integral part of you team. Now, however, is not that time.