Time To Worry About 3 RBs In Fantasy Football?

The QB hits coming. First, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels … now Jaxson Dart, who looks like he could be out for the year.

If you need QB ideas for the waiver wire, head here.

And look, I know you could use some positive news after a bloodbath week. And I could certainly take a glass half-full approach and discuss the exciting Utilization trends for players like Parker Washington, Dalton Kincaid and Bucky Irving, but let’s be real you’re starting those guys every week no matter what.

Instead, let’s do the dirty work and grapple with three RBs who are trending in the wrong direction and, not so coincidentally, are currently the three worst players in rush yards over expected:

📉 MarShawn Lloyd (GB)

Lloyd scored a TD in Week 2, but everything else was a disaster. He fumbled, which caused his rushing attempts to fall from 62% to 33%, and Kaleb Johnson (a decent waiver add), picked up his slack (44%). Making matters worse, Chris Brooks is the clear passing back (41% route share vs. 25%), meaning Lloyd is getting squeezed in both directions.

Cope? Literally none. This is reaching Marvin Harrison Jr. territory on the despair index.

📉 Quinshon Judkins (CLE)

The good news? Judkins is a true workhorse (67% of rushes, 68% of snaps). The bad news? The Browns rank 31st in plays per game and dead last in yards before contact (0.18 yards per attempt).

Cope? Dylan Sampson is on IR, and Judkins has picked up passing-game work in his absence (17% target share in Week 2).

📉 Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS)

After leading the backfield in Utilization Week 1, Bill took a backseat to Rachaad White in Week 2. White handled 57% of the routes (to be expected in a trailing script), but also 90% of the short-yardage snaps (um, that’s not good). With Jayden Daniels out and Marcus Mariota in, the trailing game scripts where JCM leaves the field could pile up. Woof.

Cope? After a tough matchup vs. SEA, they get two home matchups vs. Indy and the Giants where JCM should have better game scripts.

I almost included Bhayshul Tuten with this trio, but decided against it for morale purposes. Check out the full Utilization Report to learn why we need to start the FREE TUTEN movement …

MORE UTILIZATION NUGGETS

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Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy and NFL gossip, news, memes and more from your favorite football nerds …

👀 These players could save your season. Matthew and Ronis break them down.

🔥 The BEST buy-low in fantasy football? The verdict is in.

💪 Want a quick break from fantasy news? Try this early NFL mock draft and count the QBs selected.

📋 Plus, we have the projected NFL Draft order. Who’s #1?

🪓 Guillotine waivers run TODAY … how to bid on Bijan, London and more.

✍️ Early risers and fallers in the Week 3 rankings … Luther Burden, man …

📈 A rookie WR trending up? He was in elite Week 2 company.

😡 Another missed game for Puka? Don’t love the sound of this.

🏈 Is this DST back? Or possibly just a one-week thing.

🚀 How high on Jalen Coker? For dynasty managers …

🚑️ The Chuba show rolls on. Rough, rough news.

🤯 We have some bold takes through two weeks. Some would say overreactions.

Upgrades In The Week 3 Rankings: Freedman’s Faves

It’s Week 3, and even with the injury carnage we’ve been having, there are enough players to fill Freedman’s Favorites. We’re going position by position as our resident “wet blanket” reveals his favorite plays, as well as the top players in his fantasy football rankings. Here we go:

Quarterback: Can’t blame it on Rio for this blowup
Running Back: A pair of vets keep rolling
Wide Receiver: We’ve been telling you about this WR
Tight End: We’re seeing our wishes come true with this TE

CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR FREEDMAN’S FADES

Buy, Sell, Hold: Rookie Cleveland WR Rocks

Are we really giving in to two weeks of the NFL season to make grand pronouncements for all of 2026? You bet we are. Cooterdoodle just dropped her latest Buy, Sell, Hold, and there are plenty of surprises among the players she’s highlighted. ⤵️

READY TO MOVE OFF THIS QB RANKED SO HIGH IN DRAFT SEASON?

Stop the Carnage in Guillotine Leagues^TM

With all the injuries, are there any players left to target on the Guillotine Leagues waiver wire? You bet there are. Marcas Grant and Tipp Major have plenty of recommendations for the players who just got chopped. Please subscribe to the CHOP Podcast YouTube channel.

PANICKING ON THESE STAR PLAYERS?

Published Sep 23, 2026, 6:00 AM ET