Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Kenneth Walker III

Friday, September 5, 1:00 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley carried the ball 18 times for 60 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown during Thursday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He also caught four of his five targets for an additional 24 receiving yards. The superstar running back wasn't as efficient as expected, especially against a defense that just lost run-stopper Micah Parsons. However, Barkley's volume remained appealing as he amassed 23 touches with a healthy blend of carries and catches. Plus, he added a touchdown, showcasing an ability to score that we've become quite familiar with. The veteran remains a mid-range RB1 option heading into a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Friday, September 5, 2:17 PM

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III will open the season as the starter against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker is coming off a season in which he performed as an RB1 when healthy. Walker's targets were way up, which helped provide him with a solid baseline in fantasy. He draws a solid matchup in Week 1 against a 49ers team that allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. That number figures to improve with Robert Saleh back as the team's defensive coordinator, but Walker should have lanes to run through. The Seahawks' offensive line is improved, and the team's offensive coaching staff changes suggest a serious commitment to the run. Walker may cede some work to backup Zach Charbonnet, who has made huge strides as a player, but Walker's big-play ability should keep him among the league's best options at the position if he can stay healthy. As such, Walker is an RB2 with RB1 upside in Week 1.