NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 4 – Running Backs

Between some significant injuries and two teams being on a bye, the running back options aren’t as deep in Week 4. However, there are still some great players who could be primed for big afternoons, so let’s break down the matchups and discuss who to target. 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

Christian McCaffrey, CAR at HOU
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $8,800

After a quiet showing against the Buccaneers in Week 2, McCaffrey bounced back in a big way Sunday against the Cardinals, turning 24 carries into 154 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three of four targets for an additional 35 yards. With Cam Newton (foot) already ruled out for this matchup against the Texans, expect McCaffrey to once again receive a heavy workload. If you’re playing in a cash contest, it’s difficult to pass him up, even considering his hefty price tag.

Austin Ekeler, LAC at MIA
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $8,000

For those who like the “running back doesn’t matter” narrative, what Ekeler is doing with Melvin Gordon holding out is about as good as it gets. He was extremely productive over the first two games of the season, totaling 287 yards and three touchdowns. However, he failed to reach the end zone against the Texans last week and posted only 81 total yards. The good news is that he’s primed for massive performance against the Dolphins, who allowed over 100 rushing yards to both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard last week. ***UPDATE*** While Gordon has returned, Ekeler is still set to serve as the featured back for at least this week.

Mark Ingram II, BAL vs. CLE
FanDuel = $7,800
DraftKings = $6,600

The Week 3 contest between the Ravens and Chiefs ended up being a shootout with the two teams combining for 61 points. Ingram was the biggest beneficiary on the Ravens, scoring three rushing touchdowns. He already has two games this season with at least 100 rushing yards to go along with five total touchdowns. The Browns might not be the easiest of teams to run against, but with how well the Ravens’ offense has been playing, Ingram should at least receive an opportunity or two to find his way into the end zone.

GPP TARGETS

Kerryon Johnson, DET vs. KC
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,400

With C.J. Anderson no longer in the picture, Johnson is the undisputed lead running back for the Lions. He was on the field for 75 percent of their offensive snaps against the Eagles on Sunday, which marked his highest percentage of the season. Although it was encouraging that he received 20 carries and scored a touchdown, his 36 rushing yards are a bit alarming. He hasn’t topped 50 rushing yards in any of his first three contests and might continue to be an inefficient runner. However, with a clear leading role in a game in which the Lions are going to need to score in bunches to keep up with the Chiefs, Johnson could be worth a look in tournament play.

Wayne Gallman Jr., NYG vs. WAS
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,600

The Giants suffered a devastating blow with the news that Saquan Barkley (ankle) is going to miss at least the next four weeks and maybe as many as eight weeks. They have very limited depth behind him, so expect them to bring in at least one more running back before this game against the Redskins. Regardless of who they do add, Gallman should take on the lead role for at least this matchup. He had one game last season in which he received at least 10 carries, which ironically also came against the Redskins. It wasn’t an inspiring performance, though, with him totaling 38 yards on 14 carries. With that being said, the offense has the potential to much more explosive now with Daniel Jones at quarterback, so if Gallman can find a way to convert a touchdown, he’d provide value at this cheap price.

Chris Thompson, WAS at NYG
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,500

This might be a game between two bad teams, but it could be full of fantasy fun. The Giants defense has been atrocious, especially in pass coverage. Thompson already has 23 targets through three games, so he could be a weapon here. He’s made the most of his opportunities, totaling 16 receptions for 195 yards. Adrian Peterson would likely receive any goal-line carries, but Thompson is also a viable option at such a cheap price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

David Montgomery, CHI vs. MIN
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $5,300

There was a lot of hype surrounding Montgomery leading up to the season from a fantasy perspective. Unfortunately for those who drafted him, the Bears’ coaching staff has let the air out of that balloon. He’s played a limited role through the first three weeks, logging no more than 44.3 percent of their offensive snaps in a single contest. On the plus side, he does have at least 60 rushing yards in back-to-back games and could see an expanded role as the season moves along. Still, I want no part of him against a tough Vikings’ defense.

Justin Jackson, LAC at MIA
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,100

The reason I added Jackson to this list is because of his crazy high price on FanDuel. Yes, the Dolphins allowed two players to each rack up 100 rushing yard last week. Still, Jackson hasn’t played more than 37.3 percent of the Chargers’ offense snaps in any of their first three games. Johnson is in line for a much larger role and is only $300 more, so I can’t make an argument for deploying Jackson despite this favorable matchup. ***UPDATE*** Jackson has since been ruled out due to injury.

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.