Fantasy Soccer RB Report: Disrespected backs David Montgomery, Bucky Irving shine in Week 1

We’re again for an additional 12 months of the fantasy soccer operating again report. The RB place is arguably a very powerful in fantasy, but, one of many tougher spots to challenge going into every season. It often takes a while for us managers to get a superb grip on how backfields will shake out, week-to-week.

With that in thoughts, we’re right here to try to collect some takeaways from operating again rooms we weren’t totally certain on earlier than the season. This may assist inform our fantasy soccer choices transferring ahead. In fact, we’ll must proceed to observe these conditions, whereas additionally anticipating some swings come what may earlier than issues stabilize a bit.

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In Week 1, it appears there have been a couple of gamers we missed and disrespected within the draft course of who confirmed up massive. Beneath, we’ll break down how touches shook out for some key backfield splits and supply some evaluation as nicely.

The Texans introduced in Montgomery through commerce to steer the backfield — and that is precisely what he did in Week 1. Throughout draft season, nevertheless, Monty was being taken as an RB2, even an RB3 in some instances. However when the mud settles on Week 1, he could also be a top-three scoring RB in fantasy.

We figured Montgomery would deal with many of the early-down work with Marks working in as a pass-catcher. That wasn’t totally the case with Montgomery catching three passes for 19 yards and a rating. However whereas the veteran dominated the touches and was very productive, Marks was nonetheless on the sphere fairly a bit. Within the first half, the snaps have been 22-17 in favor of Montgomery.

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A number of issues on Monty. One, he is locked in as an RB2 and should even have RB1 upside, much like what we noticed from Javonte Williams final season in Dallas. Second, the Texans ought to play in loads of favorable recreation scripts for the run recreation. To make this even higher, Houston’s schedule the subsequent 4 weeks seems like a cake stroll for Monty — vs. CIN, @ IND, vs. DAL, @ TEN. It could be shopping for too excessive however Montgomery’s rest-of-season outlook seems very brilliant. He may very well be a league-winner in 2026.

There was loads of discourse in Carolina about what the backfield would appear to be this season. Final season, Hubbard was injured for many of the marketing campaign and ceded method to Rico Dowdle. Brooks was out after one other main knee surgical procedure. Then, each backs entered 2026 coping with some kind of damage, however each have been cleared for Week 1. Head coach Dave Canales mentioned the RBs would cut up work in a committee, although there was a transparent chief on Sunday versus the Bears.

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That was Hubbard, who’s one other RB trying like an ADP steal. The veteran received many of the work out of the backfield and led Brooks in snaps, 25-6, within the first half. Hubbard completed the barnburner with 22.2 fantasy factors, which ought to put him in line to complete in RB1 territory for Week 1. Whereas Brooks solely had 5 touches, a kind of was a 48-yard catch-and-run, displaying off that explosiveness.

There was zero protection performed on Sunday in North Carolina. However the Panthers face the Falcons and Browns the subsequent few weeks. Hubbard is a fairly protected RB2/3 possibility proper now. Brooks is extra of a dangerous flex with upside in PPR codecs.

The Steelers eeked out an unpleasant win in opposition to Cooper Rush and the Falcons at dwelling. We anticipated each Warren and Dowdle to get work within the backfield, so the way in which this cut up shook out is not all that stunning. Manufacturing wasn’t nice for both, however Dowdle wasn’t capable of get a lot daylight anyplace. Dowdle additionally had a major alternative after Warren fumbled within the first half, however Mike McCarthy largely caught with Warren.

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Aaron Rodgers would not look all that nice at age 42, which ought to maintain again the offense total. With that mentioned, Rodgers additionally might funnel fast passes out to his backs usually. However this backfield feels prefer it’ll be irritating as long as Warren an Dowdle are each wholesome. Warren has a greater ground in PPR codecs. Every might have spike weeks however needs to be thought of risky, TD-dependant flex performs for fantasy.

With Travis Etienne Jr. out the door, Tuten was anticipated to slip in and take the position of lead again. Nevertheless, Rodriguez was introduced in and there was an opportunity we noticed extra of a cut up to begin the season. That wasn’t the case in Week 1, although the sport script performed an element because the Jaguars demolished a lowly Browns squad.

Whereas Tuten was rather more productive and acquired 16 touches to Rodriguez’s six, the 2 cut up snaps (16-16) within the first half, although the sport wasn’t ever aggressive. We additionally noticed Abdullah concerned, as he was barely higher than C-Rod. LeQuint Allen Jr. was additionally energetic however did not contact the ball.

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There are some things to notice. The Jaguars’ upcoming schedule is fairly brutal — @ DEN, vs. NE, @ CIN, vs. PHI and vs. HOU. So do not anticipate Jacksonville to be in lots of blowouts in its favor throughout that stretch. The Jags even have a really deep receiver room and HC Liam Coen actually unfold issues out with 5 totally different WRs catching a go and three TEs focused. There might not be quite a lot of passing work accessible for Tuten and Rodriguez.

Proper now, Tuten seems like an RB3/flex play in PPR codecs whereas Rodriguez is a TD-dependant flex who feels fairly dangerous given the upcoming slate of video games.

To spherical out the trio of disrespected backs, Irving confirmed everybody why they should not have handed on him throughout draft season. Bucky had a down 12 months in 2025 as a consequence of accidents however was clearly the lead again in Week 1 versus the Bengals. Whereas he did not rip off any explosives, the contact quantity was there, outpacing free-agent signing Gainwell 15-6 within the contest.

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It was particularly good to see Irving closely concerned within the passing recreation. The Bucs have been trailing many of the recreation, and reasonably than Gainwell getting snaps and operating routes, it was Irving. This tells us that Tampa Bay nonetheless views Irving because the RB1 and never as an A choice to Gainwell’s B. Irving ought to proceed to be a strong RB2 possibility in PPR codecs and is lined up nicely for an additional robust outing subsequent week in opposition to Cleveland.

You’d assume after a workforce commits 4 years and $48 million to an RB that they’d not be shedding touches to Kendre Miller. However right here we’re in Week 1, Etienne in a possible backfield cut up. Nicely, not precisely a full cut up, but it surely was nonetheless fairly stunning to see. The Saints got here from behind and practically beat the Lions in a 31-30 OT loss. That script basically saved what was turning out to be a putrid debut for Etienne in NOLA.

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To make issues worse, CJ Donaldson (former Mountaineer nice) additionally noticed three touches because the third string. Even rookie Barion Brown received a carry. However Etienne wasn’t all that dangerous contemplating the Saints’ O-line performed poorly and QB Tyler Shough did not get cooking till the second half. However Miller did get the red-zone rating, which is regarding. If Etienne cannot rip off explosives and large performs, TDs may very well be robust to return by.

The passing-game utilization will give Etienne a strong ground, plus New Orleans has a troublesome early-season schedule. The Saints face the Ravens, Falcons, Vikings and Steelers earlier than the Week 8 bye. However the second half seems riddled with good matchups. Do not panic on Etienne, anticipate higher days to return. For now, he is extra of an RB2/3 with a good ground in PPR codecs.