NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 – Running Backs

After breaking down the quarterback position Monday, it’s time to dive into the running backs worth considering for Week 1. Whether you are looking to spend big or save at the position, there are viable options for both strategies. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our NFL Lineup Optimizer to help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

CASH TARGETS

Saquan Barkley, NYG at DAL
FanDuel = $9,200
DraftKings = $9,000

Barkley’s rookie season couldn’t have played out much better with regards to his individual production. He was the center of the Giants’ offense, rushing the ball 261 times for 1,307 yards. With Eli Manning more comfortable making shorter passes at this point in his career, Barkley also had 91 receptions on 121 targets for 971 yards. When all was said and done, he finished with 15 total touchdowns, which is really impressive when you consider how much the Giants struggled on offense. Now with an improved offensive line in front of him and a depleted wide receiver group, look for the Giants to ride Barkley hard once again.

Christian McCaffrey, CAR vs. LAR
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,800

Like Barkley, McCaffrey is also heavily involved in the passing game for his team. Last season, he compiled 107 receptions on 124 targets for 867 yards and six touchdowns. He also showed he can handle the rigors of for being an every-down back, rushing the ball 219 times for 1,098 yards and seven scores. The Rams have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, so the Panthers are likely going to need to put up a big number here to keep pace. With McCaffrey likely in the middle of any offensive outburst, he makes for a great option in cash contests.

Dalvin Cook, MIN vs. ATL
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,000

Talent is not the question with Cook. His problem has been staying healthy. He was limited to just 11 games in 2018, but he averaged 4.6 yards-per-carry and finished with 615 rushing yards. He also showed he could be a valuable contributor catching passes out of the backfield, hauling in 40 of 49 targets for 305 yards. The presence of Latavius Murray somewhat limited Cook’s ability to reach the end zone, so Murray’s departure this year could be huge. Cook is healthy right now and shined during the preseason, so look for him to dominate a Falcons team that has the 28th ranked rushing defense according to Pro Football Focus.

GPP TARGETS

Kerryon Johnson, DET at ARI
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,800

For those who play in season-long fantasy, Johnson has been a sexy pick to have a breakout campaign. Before injuries cut short his season, he showed flashes of becoming the type of all-around running back that the Lions have been searching for. He rushed for over 100 yards in two of his first six games and also caught at least six passes in a game two times, overall. This is a great matchup against the Cardinals, who have the 30th ranked rushing defense according to Pro Football Focus. The only reason he is in the GPP section instead of the cash is because of the presence of C.J. Anderson, who could steal some of the work inside the red zone.

Chris Carson, SEA vs. CIN
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $5,700

The Seahawks love to run the ball, which makes Carson one of the most appealing options for this slate, especially when you factor in his reasonable price on both sites. He played in only 14 games last year, but he still had 1,151 yards on 247 carries. His 41 rushing attempts inside the red zone ranked seventh-highest in the league, which helped him accumulate nine touchdowns. The Seahawks are heavy favorites at home, leaving the possibility that they could be running the ball a lot in the second half if this game gets out of hand early. Rashaad Penny will also see some action, but this is still a prime opportunity to deploy Carson.

Tony Pollard, DAL vs. NYG
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $4,500

This all comes down to the status of Ezekiel Elliot, who held out of training camp and the preseason due to a contract dispute. Pollard played extremely well in his absence, providing some reassurance that the Cowboys at least have a quality option behind him. Even if Elliot does return to the team this week, it’s difficult to imagine him assuming his full workload having sat out for so long. If he doesn’t play at all, Pollard becomes one of the chalk options for this slate. Even if Elliot does make it back in time, Pollard is worth considering in tournament play.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

Derrick Henry, TEN at CLE
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,900

For those who rostered Henry in season-long fantasy, he was one of the biggest disappointments from the running back position early in the season. Over the Titans’ first 12 games, he had only 484 rushing yards on 128 carries. However, he exploded for 238 yards against the Jaguars in Week 14, which propelled him to a strong finish that left him with 1,059 rushing yards for the season, overall. The Browns have a loaded defensive front, making it tough to feel good about him getting off to a good start this season. He is more expensive than Carson on both sites, so I want no part of Henry this week.

Derrius Guice, WAS at PHI
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,400

The Redskins hope they drafted their running back of the future in Guice in 2018, but a torn ACL washed away his rookie season before it even began. He’s had a full offseason to heal and might seem like an appealing option at such a cheap price. However, he’s not going to receive a heavy workload right out of the gate, especially since they still have Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson in the fold. This is also about as tough of a matchup as it gets with the Eagles sporting the eighth-highest ranked rushing defense according to Pro Football Focus. The Redskins might also be forced to throw the ball more in order to keep up with the Eagles’ high-powered offense.

Author Bio:

Mike has been covering fantasy sports since 2007, joining Lineup Lab in 2017. An avid player of both season-long fantasy leagues and DFS, Mike’s work has appeared on numerous sites, including RotoWire, SportsLine and Sports Illustrated. He’s also been featured on DraftKings’ nightly show, The Sweat, and was a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.