Chuba Hubbard has more fantasy points than Christian McCaffrey right now. With Jonathon Brooks sidelined, Chuba is the running back in Carolina. Ian Hartitz ranks his top 48 running backs for Week 3, sorts them into six tiers, and stops after every tier for a bigger question about the position.
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Chuba Hubbard has more fantasy points than Christian McCaffrey right now. With Jonathon Brooks sidelined, Chuba is the running back in Carolina. Ian Hartitz ranks his top 48 running backs for Week 3, sorts them into six tiers, and stops after every tier for a bigger question about the position.
TIER 1: BALLERS, SHOT CALLERS
Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, Kenneth Walker, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, James Cook.
Key question: who have been the best individual performers through two weeks? Spoiler: Kenneth Walker, and then everyone else. Chiefs RBs ranked dead last in yards after contact and tackles avoided per carry in 2024-2025. This year they are easily first in both.
TIER 2: THE REST OF THE RB1S
Saquon Barkley, Chase Brown, Ashton Jeanty, Javonte Williams, Chuba Hubbard, Breece Hall, De'Von Achane, Omarion Hampton, Kyren Williams, Bucky Irving.
Key question: who had a true workhorse role in Week 2? Nine backs played 75% or more of the snaps, led by Jonathan Taylor at 95%. The biggest surprise: Bucky Irving.
TIER 3: SOLID VETS AND BUY-LOW YOUNGSTERS
Aaron Jones, David Montgomery, Bhayshul Tuten, Cam Skattebo, Travis Etienne, Jeremiyah Love.
Key question: what offenses have the biggest on-paper advantages at the line of scrimmage this week? Best: Jets, Titans, Bills, Broncos, Lions and Rams. Worst: Steelers, Falcons, Packers, Jaguars and Seahawks.
TIER 4: FINE TO START, BUT THERE'S A PRETTY BRIGHT RED FLAG
D'Andre Swift, Jaylen Warren, Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Jadarian Price.
Key question: what running backs have done the most cool shit this season? Rookie Emmett Johnson leads the way, ahead of Chuba Hubbard, Kenneth Walker, Bhayshul Tuten and Omarion Hampton.
TIER 5: ELITE RB2S OR MEH RB1S
Tony Pollard, Quinshon Judkins, Blake Corum, Rachaad White, Kaelon Black, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, Jonah Coleman.
Key question: which teams have the biggest yards per carry gaps between their RB1 and RB2? Seven backups are out-running their starters by at least half a yard per carry, led by Kyle Monangai over D'Andre Swift.
TIER 6: CUT YOUR FANTASY TEAM INTO PIECES; THIS IS YOUR LAST RESORT
MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Tyjae Spears, Kyle Monangai, Tyler Allgeier, Woody Marks, Alvin Kamara, Brian Robinson, Braelon Allen, Chris Rodriguez.
Key question: who are the best deep-league waiver wire handcuff stashes? Kaleb Johnson if you need FLEX value soon, and Ray Davis if you want a pure handcuff stash.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:23 Tier 1: Ballers, shot callers
4:03 Key question: the best individual performers
5:38 Tier 2: The rest of the RB1s
17:36 Key question: who had a true workhorse role
19:03 Tier 3: Solid vets and buy-low youngsters
27:03 Key question: the biggest on-paper advantages in the trenches
28:37 Tier 4: Fine to start, but a bright red flag
32:07 Key question: who has done the most cool shit
33:15 Tier 5: Elite RB2s or meh RB1s
36:38 Key question: the biggest yards per carry gaps
37:48 Tier 6: This is your last resort
39:30 Key question: the best deep-league handcuff stashes
41:12 Wrapping up
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