Running back is one of the most important positions to attack when building NFL DFS lineups, and Week 2 of the 2026 season offers several different ways to approach the position.
There are expensive backs capable of carrying a lineup, mid-range options with strong workload projections, and value plays that can open salary for elite receivers. For Week 2, workload, receiving involvement and touchdown opportunities are especially important when comparing players across DraftKings and FanDuel.
Here are seven running backs to consider for the Sunday main slate.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
DraftKings: $12,000 | FanDuel: $9,100*
Jahmyr Gibbs enters Week 2 at the top of the running back conversation after a massive opening week. DraftKings projects Gibbs for 32 total touches against Buffalo, including 24.6 carries and 7.4 targets. That combination gives him one of the highest ceilings on the slate.
The salary is a major consideration. At $12,000 on DraftKings, Gibbs requires a significant investment, but his projected workload explains why the price is so high.
Gibbs is particularly valuable on DraftKings because of the receiving component of his game. Seven-plus projected targets can provide a substantial floor before rushing yards and touchdowns are added.
DFS strategy: Gibbs is the type of player to consider when building around a stars-and-scrubs lineup. The challenge is finding enough value elsewhere to afford him.
2. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
DraftKings: $8,200 | FanDuel: $8,800
Bijan Robinson is one of the most interesting combinations of workload and salary on the Week 2 slate.
DraftKings projects Robinson for 26.1 touches, including 18.1 carries and eight targets. That eight-target projection is particularly important because it gives Robinson substantial receiving upside in addition to his rushing workload.
His matchup is also appealing, with Atlanta hosting Carolina.
DraftKings currently projects Robinson for 25.2 fantasy points, second among running backs. FanDuel’s Week 2 rankings also have Robinson third among running backs.
DFS strategy: Robinson fits both cash-game and tournament constructions because his projected workload doesn’t require a single specific game script to produce fantasy points.
3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
DraftKings: $7,200 | FanDuel: $8,700
Derrick Henry enters Week 2 after producing one of the biggest running-back performances of Week 1, rushing for 144 yards and three touchdowns against Indianapolis.
Now Henry gets New Orleans at home.
DraftKings projects Henry for 25.6 touches, including 24.7 carries. That is an enormous projected rushing workload.
Henry’s receiving volume isn’t likely to match players such as Gibbs or Robinson, but that isn’t necessarily the reason to roster him. His value comes from rushing volume and goal-line opportunities.
DraftKings’ tournament analysis also points to Henry’s touchdown potential, noting that Baltimore is a significant favorite against New Orleans.
DFS strategy: Henry is particularly interesting when looking for touchdown upside without paying the Gibbs price on DraftKings.
4. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
DraftKings: $6,800 | FanDuel: $7,700
Ashton Jeanty is one of the most attractive mid-priced running backs on the slate.
After being somewhat overlooked entering Week 1 because of preseason injury concerns, Jeanty immediately demonstrated his versatility. He rushed for 102 yards while catching all six of his targets and scoring two receiving touchdowns.
DraftKings projects 21.2 touches for Jeanty, including 15.3 carries and 5.9 targets.
The matchup against the Chargers isn’t as attractive as some of the other backs on this list, but Jeanty’s receiving role gives him another avenue to fantasy production.
DFS strategy: Jeanty is an excellent salary-balancing option. He allows DFS players to spend on premium receivers without completely sacrificing running-back upside.
5. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
DraftKings: $6,400 | FanDuel: $7,800
Javonte Williams is coming off a massive Week 1 performance and gets another opportunity to capitalize on a favorable workload.
DraftKings projects Williams for 22.7 touches against Washington, including 18.5 carries and 4.2 targets.
He finished Week 1 with 24.2 DraftKings points, and DraftKings currently projects him for 20.6 points in Week 2.
The matchup is also notable because Washington allowed Dallas running backs to find success in Week 1.
DFS strategy: Williams provides a way to get significant running-back volume without paying for the elite salary tier.
6. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
DraftKings: $7,000 | FanDuel: $8,300
Saquon Barkley didn’t produce a massive Week 1 fantasy score, but his underlying explosiveness remains relevant for DFS.
Barkley rushed for 5.5 yards per carry in Week 1, although a 42-yard run accounted for a large portion of that production.
DraftKings projects him for 21.4 touches against Tennessee, including 19 carries.
That workload is difficult to ignore at $7,000 on DraftKings.
DFS strategy: Barkley works particularly well in tournament lineups because his salary isn’t prohibitive and his big-play ability creates significant upside.
7. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
DraftKings: $6,400 | FanDuel: $7,800*
Kyren Williams rounds out the list as another mid-priced back with a favorable combination of workload and matchup.
Williams played 63.9% of the Rams’ offensive snaps in Week 1 compared with 23% for Blake Corum, according to Fantasy Alarm. He now faces the Giants, who allowed Javonte Williams to score 24.2 DraftKings points in Week 1.
DraftKings projects Williams for 18.1 touches and gives him an A matchup grade against the Giants’ run defense.
DFS strategy: Williams can be useful when constructing a balanced lineup that needs a reasonably priced running back with a defined role.
NFL Week 2 DFS Running Back Strategy
The biggest takeaway from Week 2 is that there are several different salary tiers worth considering.
Gibbs offers enormous projected volume but requires a premium investment. Robinson combines high-end rushing and receiving work at a significantly lower DraftKings salary. Henry provides touchdown upside, while Jeanty and Williams offer ways to save salary without completely abandoning projected workload.
One of the most important numbers to monitor is projected touches. DraftKings’ Week 2 projections have Gibbs, Robinson and Henry all above 25 projected touches, while Williams, Barkley and Jeanty are all above 21.
That makes workload a useful starting point when constructing both DraftKings and FanDuel lineups.
Also monitor injury reports and final inactive lists before lineup lock. Running-back rotations can change quickly, particularly when players are dealing with injuries. FanDuel specifically notes that injuries, changing workloads, goal-line opportunities and weekly matchups can all significantly alter running-back rankings.
For tournaments, consider combining one expensive running back with a pair of mid-priced backs. For cash games, prioritize players with predictable workloads and receiving involvement.
With several high-volume backs available, Week 2 provides plenty of opportunities to build DFS lineups around running-back touches rather than simply chasing last week’s fantasy scores.