It’s the first week of the 2023 fantasy football season. We are still in the information-gathering phase and don’t yet know who these teams really are. Fantasy decisions will only get more difficult from here on out, so let’s take a look at our top RB sleepers for Week 1. And before you set your lineups, be sure to check out our weekly PFN Consensus Rankings.
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Week 2 Fantasy Football RB Sleepers
Here are some top RB sleepers for Week 2. Each week, every player on this list will be someone typically ranked outside the top 24 running backs for the upcoming week.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (vs. GB)
It’s difficult to call a guy who just scored 24 PPR fantasy points a sleeper, but Tyler Allgeier is still ranked over 20 spots behind Bijan Robinson. For now, the gap just probably shouldn’t be that large.
Eventually, Robinson is going to take over this backfield. But for now, this is a near 50/50 timeshare. Last week, Allgeier played just four fewer snaps than Robinson and dominated goal-line carries 3-1.
The Packers did limit the Bears’ rushing attack last week, but this wasn’t a good run defense last year, and we are not going to overreact to one good performance against a very bad team.
The Falcons have a much better offensive line and are unlikely to fall behind by double-digits early. If Allgeier can find the end zone again, he will probably be an RB2.
AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers (at ATL)
Let’s double down on this game. It was a Week 1 to forget for AJ Dillon. He carried the ball 13 times for just 19 yards while adding two receptions for 17 yards. By no means should you feel excited about starting Dillon.
MORE: 2023 RB Fantasy Football Rankings
The reason Dillon could be an RB sleeper this week is twofold. First, we have the matchup. The Falcons may have beaten the Panthers last week, but don’t thank their run defense. Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard gashed them for 132 yards on 27 carries.
Second, Aaron Jones pulled up lame on his 35-yard touchdown reception. While it didn’t look overly serious, Jones was seen getting his hamstring stretched out on the sideline and did not return to the game.
For better or worse, Dillon is the next man up. If Jones can’t go, Dillon is going to be the lead back. If Jones is limited, Dillon would see more work. And if Jones aggravates his injury in the game, Dillon will benefit. There are multiple paths to Dillon having a volume-based RB2 performance.
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers (at TEN)
After years of searching for a suitable backup to Austin Ekeler, the Chargers have settled on a much-improved Joshua Kelley. Last week, Kelley played 48% of the snaps. He carried the ball 16 times for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Furthermore, Ekeler briefly left the game with an ankle issue. While it doesn’t look like it will keep him out of this week’s contest, it could result in Kelley seeing more work. So far, Kelley has proven capable of producing when called upon.
Kelley might legitimately have standalone RB3 value alongside a healthy Ekeler. If Ekeler is banged up or perhaps misses the game, Kelley would be an immediate RB2.
A matchup against the Titans isn’t the easiest one, but it’s not a game in which game script should get away from the Chargers. As a result, the running game should remain in play, allowing Kelley to handle at least 10-12 carries, regardless of Ekeler’s health.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams vs. SF
Analysis by Derek Tate
Cam Akers shareholders have had a bad case of déjà vu from the start of last season. This time around, Akers’ Week 1 debut saw him lead the team in carries but was out-produced by the second-year back from Notre Dame.
Williams generated 23 more rushing yards than Akers on seven fewer carries while out-snapping Akers 53 to 28.
The matchup against a stout 49ers front seven isn’t exactly enticing, but Williams’ run with the ones in Week 1 suggests he is a viable flex option in deeper leagues.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens @ CIN
Analysis by Derek Tate
Your heart has to feel a bit for Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins, who was unable to secure a long-term contract extension in the offseason and suffered the second catastrophic season-ending injury of his young four-year career in the NFL.
The injury to Dobbins makes the leading role in the Baltimore backfield completely up for grabs.
Edwards looks like the safer play. However, there is certainly a case to be made for Hill cracking your starting lineup this week against the Bengals.
Hill found the end zone twice against the Texans and will face off against a Bengals defense in Week 2 that gave up 206 rushing yards against the Browns in the season opener.
Not to mention, Hill prospects out as a better pass-catching option than Edwards, which gives him a slight bump in PPR formats.
