Fantasy Football 2015 Running Back Advice: 5 Must-Own Handcuffs Entering Week 3

Week 2 was a bizarre one for fantasy running backs. Elite names such as Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, Jeremy Hill, Doug Martin and Mark Ingram all fumbled at least once, while backups Knile Davis, Jeremy Langford, and Matt Jones found the end zone. These are five handcuffs that should be 100 percent owned after Week 2.

Ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo.

Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

Matt Jones, Redskins (22% Owned)

Jones was ridiculous on Sunday, ripping off 123 yards and two touchdowns while playing about as many snaps as Alfred Morris did. He was generating buzz during camp as a guy who would definitely take away third downs from Morris, and potentially more once he was set loose. That happened in Week 2, and he’s absolutely earned more work in the lesser half of a time share. Jones is an emergency FLEX option at this point even if Morris is healthy, but owners shouldn’t rely on him just yet.

Knile Davis, Chiefs (21% Owned)

Davis scored last week, and although he shouldn’t be played in any week in which Jamaal Charles is healthy, Davis becomes a must-start if Charles goes down. Realistically, Davis’ ownership percentage should be 100 percent, because all Charles owners should have him. Get him now and stash him; if Charles misses any time you can hold that owner hostage.

3 Backups To Keep Tabs On In Two-QB Leagues

Jeremy Langford, Bears (1% Owned)

Like Davis, Langford is the obvious backup to Matt Forte, who is knocking on the door of age 30. Although Forte looks great, this is typically the point in most RBs’ careers where they begin to slow down. Hopefully Forte can remain his typical, excellent self, but there’s no harm in carrying a guy like Langford on your squad just in case. His 21-yard effort with a touchdown proved he can hang with the big boys.

Karlos Williams, Bills (21% Owned)

Williams scored for the second straight game on Sunday, infuriating anyone who owns LeSean McCoy. This was a semi-regular occurrence in Philadelphia, and it seems like Buffalo has no issue with letting McCoy help them down the field and not letting him reap his rewards.

That shouldn’t downgrade Williams, however. The rookie from Florida State can certainly play; He scored 11 touchdowns in each of his final two NCAA seasons, and has continued to show a nose for the end zone. He’s a must-own for McCoy owners because of Shady’s bum hamstring, but he’s also a playable FLEX in deep leagues because of this TD potential.

David Johnson, Cardinals (34% Owned)

Johnson’s explosiveness is already undeniable. He scored a 55-yard touchdown on a swing pass in Week 1, and returned the opening kickoff on Sunday for a 106-yard score. He punched in a second touchdown later in the game. Johnson’s competition right now is veteran Chris Johnson, who has averaged 3.6 and 3.7 yards per carry in his first two games. David Johnson looks much better, and his prototypical size will give him the edge over Andre Ellington when he returns from a sprained PCL.

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