Week 1 Running Back Streamers For Fantasy Football: Jonathon Brooks Is Back

Stream running backs? Of course. We’re not talking about sitting a regular starter. These players are more flex plays, or if you went Zero or Hero RB and are really reaching at RB2. These players are after RB24 in our fantasy football projections. You can also see our fantasy football rankings to see how they compare.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Running Back Streamers

Jonathon Brooks | Panthers vs. Bears

The big question is will Jonathon Brooks actually suit up after sitting out a series of practices in the latter part of the preseason. This after he was impressive earlier in the offseason and training camp. If he suits up, he’ll have to contend with splitting touches with Chuba Hubbard, but both will face a Bears defense that allowed 127.5 scrimmage yards to running backs last season. Including the playoffs, Christian McCaffrey, Jahmyr Gibbs and Kyren Williams all went over 100 total yards against Chicago at the tail end of last season and the playoffs.

Brooks has gotten plenty of hype going into this season, so if you drafted him at pick 90.2 in the eighth round, there is a good chance that you’re looking to start him this week, at the very least in a flex spot. His projection is 58.7 total yards, and Hubbard appears to be healthy after battling an injury during the preseason.

Tony Pollard | Titans vs. Jets

One of the most overlooked players of the offseason may have a matchup that’s worth flexing into. Tony Pollard may be on the older side (age 29) for being a running back that fantasy managers enjoy starting on a weekly basis, but he has had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

The Jets have rebuilt quite a bit of the defense since the teardown during last season, and HC Aaron Glenn is taking over playcalling duties, but often that means some acclimation early in the season. If it takes at all. Pollard at home, getting a running game going for Cam Ward may be important.

J.K. Dobbins | Broncos at Chiefs

The Chiefs were 12th in the league with 91.4 rushing yards allowed to running backs, yet the Broncos pull into Arrowhead Stadium sporting one of the best offensive lines and a goal of running the ball better this season. J.K. Dobbins ran the ball at least 14 times in 9 of 10 games last season, so it’s fair to project that he will get double-digit carries as long as he’s healthy.

The Monday night game will have plenty of eyeballs with Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix coming off injuries. But once the game flow gets going, figure to see Dobbins touch the ball plenty of times. We have him projected for 11.2 carries.