Bell-Cow Updates: RB Touch Leaders and Largest Projected Workloads for Week 1

Projecting the Week 1 leader in RB touches is no easy task. Hell, it can be damn near impossible. Just look at the curious case of Dylan Sampson. With Quinshon Judkins inactive, Sampson caught all eight of his targets for 64 yards while handling 20 touches against the Bengals to open the 2025 season, just one fewer than Jonathan Taylor.

That receiving performance may be difficult to repeat, but Sampson will remain fantasy relevant. Ah, that’s a conversation for another time.

This offseason, I considered Josh Jacobs a strong candidate to claim the Week 1 touch crown. Then Commissioner Roger Goodell placed him on the Commissioner Exempt List because of an ongoing legal situation. Derailed. 

Now we need another back with the matchup and, more importantly, the workload to finish atop the NFL’s touch leaderboard and deliver mucho fantasy points. Here are three good bets and how my expectations compare with Fantasy Life’s projections.

Let’s get crackin’…

RB Touch Leaders and Largest Projected Workloads for Week 1

Travis Etienne | RB | NO

By the time you read this, I’ll be coming back from the Big Easy with the fam. I love that city, I love Travis Etienne in New Orleans and I love his chances of handling Week 1’s largest workload.

Kellen Moore wasted no time getting Etienne on the roster. Although the Saints also retained Alvin Kamara, Etienne’s fantasy managers caught a break when Kamara was ruled out for Week 1.

Fantasy Life projects Etienne for just over 19 touches. I don’t believe the Saints are ready to win shootouts, so expect a conservative, run-heavy approach. That would help quiet the Lions’ crowd, keep their offense on the sideline, and allow Etienne to pile up carries as the unquestioned leader of this backfield.

Put me down for 25 total touches, the Week 1 RB touch crown and more than 18 fantasy points.

Join Our Newsletter

Trusted by 400,000+ fantasy football players. Get access to Fantasy Life's free award winning newsletter and tools, all in one step.

Email Address

Subscribe

By registering or logging in, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Marshawn Lloyd | RB | GB

Listen before you question this one. This isn’t me chasing the latest news. If you follow me, you know I wasn’t on the Josh Jacobs train this offseason.

Now Marshawn Lloyd has an opportunity to solidify his role. I still believe Kaleb Johnson will find his way onto the field. I can feel it! But Week 1 will belong to Lloyd.

Jacobs struggled against the Vikings recently, but football is about opportunity, and Lloyd should have plenty of it. He’ll get an opening-week showcase for his breakaway speed and tackle-breaking ability.

Fantasy Life projects Lloyd for 17 touches. Remember Dylan Sampson? Lloyd has a legitimate shot at reaching 20-plus and becoming this year’s surprise.

Don’t be shocked if this becomes a physical divisional battle and Lloyd, playing his first game since Week 2 of 2024, stays healthy, handles 20-plus touches and scores more than 16 fantasy points.

James Cook | RB | BUF

This is the first season I’ve been extremely excited about James Cook, and I was totally wrong about him the last few years. An RB can coexist with Josh Allen, and the Bills make it work nicely.

Opening against the Texans in Houston is possibly the worst draw imaginable. Allen’s struggles there are well documented, and his numbers are almost impossible to believe by his standards.

A heavy dose of Cook could take pressure off Allen, particularly through the passing game. Houston’s pass rush may not give Allen time to wait for deep routes, creating plenty of underneath opportunities for Cook. Those little dump-offs might not look sexy, but we’re playing fantasy football. They count just the same.

HC Joe Brady and OC Pete Carmichael have both shown they know how to scheme passes to RBs. Ahem… Alvin Kamara.
Fantasy Life projects Cook for 19 touches, but I’m taking the over. Cook averaged only 2.1 receptions per game last season, but eight-plus catches are possible here. Add 18 rushing attempts, and Cook reaches 26 total touches with a legitimate chance to finish Week 1 on top.