Fantasy football start or sit Week 1: Breece Hall, Bhayshul Tuten, Jaylen Warren

Fantasy football players need to know whether they can trust starting running backs like Breece Hall, Bhayshul Tuten and Jaylen Warren in NFL Week 1.

The AFC features elite running back play throughout the conference, and all three of those names can be vital for their team’s success. However, Hall, Tuten and Warren can also be extremely valuable in fantasy lineups.

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Should fantasy players be able to trust the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ Tuten in his first season without Travis Etienne Jr. taking most of the carries? What about a potential timeshare in Pittsburgh with Warren and Rico Dowdle?

Here’s a closer look at three important start or sit running back candidates entering Week 1.

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New York Jets running back Breece Hall tries to outrun Pittsburgh Steelers safety Chuck Clark. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The New York Jets have the chance for dramatic offensive improvement with Geno Smith leading the way at quarterback. Hall figures to benefit greatly from the veteran QB’s presence with his explosive play out of the backfield.

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Last season, Hall finished ranked the RB19 in PPR formats, according to Fantasy Pros. However, he received a career-high in carries with 243 in a stagnant Jets offense.

New York’s improved offensive line and Hall’s pass-catching ability make him an immediate impact player against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1.

Verdict: Start

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Bhayshul Tuten start or sit advice

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten participates in training camp at Miller Electric Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

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Jacksonville may have one of the most explosive offenses in the entire NFL. However, the running back position is certainly a question mark for fantasy owners.

Some players are banking on Tuten’s true breakout campaign in 2026 while others are riding with Chris Rodriguez Jr..

Tuten only posted double-digit rushing attempts once in 2025. However, he did have his best game of the season in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers by scoring a touchdown and putting up 13.4 fantasy points.

Until we can see how head coach Liam Coen plans on rotating his running backs it’s tough to fully buy the Tuten hype train. It’s also a big ask of the second-year RB to excel right out of the gate against a tough Cleveland Browns defense.

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Verdict: Sit

MORE: NFL Week 1, Updated injury report for Sunday’s games

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren takes the field to play the New York Jets at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have one of the more favorable matchups in Week 1, and Warren can benefit greatly from that situation. The Steelers face the Atlanta Falcons, who will be starting third-string quarterback Cooper Rush.

Warren posted RB17 numbers last season in PPR formats, per Fantasy Pros, despite having a lot of targets taken away by Kenneth Gainwell‘s presence.

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Gainwell is now in Tampa Bay, which opens up a world of opportunities. New head coach Mike McCarthy and the Steelers did bring in Dowdle, but he shouldn’t be a big threat in the passing attack.

Warren’s value can certainly increase if Aaron Rodgers continues to use short-yardage throws out of the backfield like he did in 2025.

Verdict: Start

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