Bell Cow Updates: RB Touch Leaders and Largest Projected Workloads for Week 3

Thank God the kitty-cats were up next for the Bills. I was starting to worry about James Cook from a production standpoint, especially with Josh Allen on a tear.

Then, to kick off Week 2, Cook dropped 135 yards and a touchdown. We’re still waiting on that increased passing-game work Joe Brady talked about, though.

That’s where Pete Carmichael comes in. He was brought in to help design some of those plays, something he knows plenty about from his New Orleans days with Sean Payton, where Brady was also on the staff.

Get in that lab, Carmichael. Let Cook cook.

Yo, I have a question for you: Dalvin Cook or James Cook—who’s better? Hit me with your answer @tippmajor on socials.

RB Touch Leaders and Largest Projected Workloads for Week 3

Chase Brown | RB | CIN

The Bengals are 2-0! No, I’m not repeating it, but Cincinnati is undefeated to start the season. Chase Brown has been the unquestioned leader of this backfield, and that won’t change in Week 3 after he handled 20 carries against the Texans. The volume is locked in.

Next up are the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, and you beat this defense by running the football. Pittsburgh is allowing opponents to average 30 rushing attempts per game.

Pair that with how poorly Pittsburgh’s offense has performed through two weeks. The Steelers are converting only 2.5 third downs per game, while Cincinnati is converting 6.5, which ranks seventh in the NFL. That should create even more opportunities for the Bengals’ offense.

Brown could spend the fourth quarter grinding down the clock as Cincinnati roars into unfamiliar territory: 3-0.

Kenneth Walker | RB | KC

Power and reckless abandon are the only ways to describe Kenneth Walker right now. Dude is attacking contact instead of shying away from it.

Clearly, Eric Bieniemy and this offense aren’t worried about Walker’s injury history, and neither should you be. Walker couldn’t afford to take a play off during the offseason. As he put it, “You gotta be on point with Coach EB!” That rigorous preparation is already paying off.

Walker has handled more than 25 touches in each of the first two weeks. Against the Dolphins in Week 3, expect him to clear that number again. It’s still early in the season, and Mahomes shouldn’t have to do much at all in this one.

Walker’s passing-game utilization has provided the biggest boost to his workload. He drew 10 targets in Week 2 and already has 16 through two games. If this wide receiver room keeps disappointing, Walker could easily double his career high of 53 targets from 2024.

Go fillet some fish.

Emanuel Wilson | RB | SEA

The winds are shifting in Seattle’s backfield.

The 2-0 Seahawks know exactly who they are: play sound defense and run the football. In Week 2, however, we saw a shift in their backfield usage toward Emanuel Wilson.

Wilson’s late father nicknamed him “Smurf,” but there’s nothing small or cuddly about how this dude runs, look.

He doesn’t shy away from contact, and he can make the first defender bounce right off him while fighting for extra yards.

Seattle knows Jadarian Price is part of its future plans, and Zach Charbonnet is nearing a return. Why put unnecessary wear and tear on Price this early, especially if his chest injury prolongs his absence? Feed Wilson for the next few weeks and showcase what he can do. If another team suddenly needs an RB, Seattle could have a valuable trade piece on its hands.

What looked like a great matchup a week ago has become an even better opportunity for Wilson. He could push toward the mid-20s in touches while Seattle controls the clock against a Commanders team without Jayden Daniels.