NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 6 – Running Backs
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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Running back isn’t especially deep for Week 6. The Saints are on a bye, meaning Alvin Kamara won’t be an option. The Lions are on a bye as well, which is a bad thing because they are a team you normally want to play opposing running backs against. Injuries continue to be a problem at the position, too, with Leonard Fournette expected to be out again due to his hamstring injury and Dalvin Cook still battling a hamstring issue of his own. Let’s dig into the position to see where you can gain the edge in DFS. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Todd Gurley vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $9,500
DraftKings = $10,000
Gurley didn’t exactly run wild Sunday against the Seahawks, rushing 22 times for 77 yards. His 3.5 yards-per-carry was his second-lowest mark of the season. However, he still had a monster performance with three rushing touchdowns. He also chipped in four catches on five targets for 36 yards, helping the Rams win a big game on the road against the Seahawks.
There is little doubt that Gurley is the top option at running back for Week 6. Not only does he get a ton of carries, but he’s received at least five targets in four of five games this year. He has one of the highest touchdown upsides in the league considering the Rams explosive offense. The Broncos were torched by Isaiah Crowell for 219 yards in Week 5 and have allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (139.6) in the league.
Melvin Gordon vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,200
If you want reliable, Gordon is your man. His overall rushing yardage totals haven’t been off the charts, but he is averaging a career-high 4.6 yards-per-carry. He’s also scored a rushing touchdown in three of his last four games. However, maybe the biggest reason that Gordon has been a consistent source of fantasy points this year is because of his increased involvement in the passing game. After finishing 2017 with 58 receptions on 83 targets for 476 yards. Gordon already has 28 catches on 38 targets for 261 yards.
The Chargers do have an explosive backup to Gordon in Austin Ekler, but Gordon is clearly going to get plenty of work. The Browns have had their issues stopping opposing running backs, allowing 116.6 rushing yards per game and 28 receptions for 284 yards to opposing running backs. Gordon’s floor might not be as high as Gurley’s, but he’s a great option for your entry.
Christian McCaffrey vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $8,300
The Panthers enjoyed a bye for Week 4, leaving McCaffrey and company with plenty of rest heading into a home matchup against the Giants. McCaffrey had rushed 28 times for 184 yards Week 3 against the Bengals, a feat that was going to be very difficult for him to match. He didn’t come close to that kind of production, rushing 17 times for 58 yards. His 3.4 yards-per-carry was his lowest mark of the season, although the 17 carries were his second-most attempts.
The good part about McCaffrey is that he doesn’t need to have a lot of success carrying the ball to provide value. He caught five of six targets for 35 yards and a touchdown in that game, which was his first score of the season. Despite having a bye week, McCaffrey’s 32 targets are tied for sixth-most among running backs. The Redskins have only allowed 92.5 rushing yards per game, which is in large part because opponents have the fourth-fewest rushing attempts against them (92). The Panthers rely heavily on the run and with McCaffrey’s immense upside in the passing game, he’s still one of the best running backs available for Week 6.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Joe Mixon vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,500
Mixon returned in Week 5 from a two-week absence due to a knee injury. It was just in time for the Bengals, who have since lost his backup Giovani Bernard to a sprained MCL. With the lack of quality depth behind him, Mixon wasted no time in his return, rushing the ball 22 times for 93 yards. In the three games that Mixon has played, he has at least 17 carries and 84 rushing yards in each of them.
The Bengals will also turn to Mixon in the passing game with Bernard out, which helped him haul in three of four targets for 22 yards and a touchdown Sunday. This could be a high-scoring game against a Steelers team that is not only averaging 28.6 points per game but has also allowed 26.6 points per contest. Expect Mixon to put up plenty of yards and have a favorable chance of reaching the end zone.
Marshawn Lynch vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Wembley Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,300
The Raiders are a disaster. They scored 10 points in a loss to the Chargers in Week 5, marking the third time this season they have scored fewer than 20 points in a game. That’s not a recipe for success considering their defense has allowed 29.8 points per contest. Lynch was a victim of their lopsided loss Sunday, receiving a season-low nine carries. He finished with only 31 rushing yards and failed to score a touchdown for the second straight week.
Lynch and the Raiders will look to regroup for the first game of the season in London. This could be a matchup to exploit considering the Seahawks have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (129) and the seventh-most yards-per-carry (4.7) in the league. Lynch had received at least 18 carries in each of the previous three weeks and has scored three touchdowns overall, making him an intriguing option in tournament play.
Chris Carson vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Wembley Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,400
One of the most perplexing running back situations in the league can be found in Seattle. They drafted Rashaad Penny in the first round to potentially be their running back of the future, but he hasn’t received more than 10 carries in a game this season and didn’t even log a single offensive snap in Week 5. Mike Davis has surprisingly been given a prominent role over the last two weeks, totaling 169 yards on 33 carries.
Carson was starting to establish himself after rushing 32 times for 102 yards in Week 3, but missed Week 4 due to injury. He returned Sunday, and although Davis still received 12 carries, Carson was the superior runner with 19 carries for 116 yards. Both players should continue to get carries Sunday but expect Carson to see the heavier workload. The uncertainty surrounding Seattle’s backfield has helped keep Carson’s price down, leaving him as someone worth taking a chance on since the Raiders have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (127.2).
Phillip Lindsay vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,500
Lindsay worked his way into a prominent role at the start of the season and hasn’t looked back. He was ejected early in Week 3’s game against the Ravens but has at least 12 carries and 61 rushing yards in each of his other four games. He’s still sharing the backfield with Royce Freeman, which has worked well for the Broncos so far since both players are averaging more than five yards-per-carry.
The split at running back somewhat limits Lindsay’s upside, especially since Freeman is going to get the majority of the goal-line carries. He already has three rushing touchdowns compared to just one for Lindsay. However, Freeman has received only six targets compared to 12 for Lindsay. The Broncos could find themselves in a big hole early against the Rams offense, and if that’s the case, the game plan late in the game would likely favor Lindsay. The Rams defense hasn’t been stout against the run, either, allowing the fourth-most yards-per-carry (5.0).
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Ezekiel Elliott vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – AT&T Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $7,000
This has more to do with Elliott’s price and matchup than anything else. He’s clearly one of the best running backs in the league and is the top offensive weapon on the Cowboys based on their lack of talent at wide receiver. They’ve even leaned on him more in the passing game, resulting in Elliot getting 29 targets this year. The Jaguars had a tough time against the Chiefs in Week 5, but the Cowboys have one of the least explosive offenses in the league. Look for the Jaguars to key in on stopping Elliott, making him a risky play at this price.
Kenyan Drake vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,600
Drake had his best performance of the season Sunday, finishing with 115 total yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. However, he only received six carries compared to 12 for Frank Gore. That marked the third straight week that Drake had fewer than 10 rushing attempts. Drake might have big-play upside, but it’s hard for him to cash in if he doesn’t get enough opportunities. The Bears have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (64) and have yet to allow a touchdown on the ground, so stay far away from Drake when crafting your entry.