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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The running back position isn’t nearly as deep for the main Sunday slate in Week 12 with the Rams and Chiefs on byes and all of the Thanksgiving games added to the usual Sunday and Monday primetime contests. There are still some great options to target, though, so let’s highlight a few that stand out. 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Running Backs

Melvin Gordon III vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,600

Entering Week 11 as winners of five straight, the Chargers suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of the Broncos. Gordon wasn’t exactly efficient, but his 18 carries helped him finish with 69 rushing yards. However, he was heavily involved in the passing attack, catching all six of his targets for an additional 87 yards. Even though he failed to reach the end zone for the first time since Week 1, Gordon finished with at least 120 total yards for the fifth straight game.

Gordon’s struggles on the ground were a bit surprising, especially with how poorly the Broncos have defended against the run. He’ll get a chance to redeem himself Sunday against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (141.5) to go along with 13 touchdowns on the ground. Gordon is certainly expensive, but don’t hesitate to pay up for him in cash contests based on his floor.

James Conner vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,800

Conner struggled to get things going on the ground early against the Jaguars on Sunday and then the Steelers were forced to throw a lot late down 16-0. They stormed back for the win, but Conner only had nine carries for 25 yards. He also hauled in six of nine targets, but only for 24 yards. This game also marked the first time since Week 4 that Conner failed to record a touchdown.

The Jaguars haven’t been as tough on opposing running backs as they have quarterbacks, but they still have a good defense, overall. Conner has an excellent opportunity to get things back on track against the Broncos, who are allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game (127.9). The Steelers might also be able to jump out to a big lead against this far inferior opponent, which could lead to a game flow that favors Conner in the second half.

David Johnson vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,300

It took a change at offensive coordinator, but Johnson is back to being an extremely productive running back again. He only caught one of three targets for 17 yards in Week 11 against the Raiders, but he also set season highs in rushing attempts (25) and rushing yards (137). After receiving at least 20 carries just one time across the first eight weeks, he’s topped that mark in both of his last two contests.

The Cardinals still aren’t scoring a ton of points, which does limit Johnson’s upside, to an extent. It’s clear, though, that they plan for him to be heavily involved moving forward. The Chargers have only given up six rushing touchdowns this season, but they have allowed 4.6 yards-per-carry. Gordon and Conner have the potential for better overall lines since they play for better offenses that put them in more positions to score touchdowns, but Johnson’s role still makes him a safe option in DFS.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Running Backs

Nick Chubb vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Paul Brown Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,300

Early indications are that the Browns made the right choice trading Carlos Hyde to the Jaguars to open up more playing time for Chubb. Since that trade, Chubb has received at least 18 carries and recorded at least 65 rushing yards in four straight games. He exploded for 176 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 10 against the Falcons and already has four total touchdowns since taking on an expanded role.

Chubb comes into this game out of a bye week, so he should be fresh for what is an excellent matchup against the Bengals. The Bengals have arguably the worst rushing defense in the league, allowing 153.6 yards per contest and 13 scores on the ground. Chubb’s price is climbing, but he still presents an excellent opportunity for production in this contest. If you play season-long fantasy, as well, note that this is one of two remaining games against the Bengals for Chubb.

Marlon Mack vs. Miami Dolphins
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $5,500

Mack rebounded from a quiet performance in Week 10 against the Jaguars to rush for 61 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries versus the Titans in Week 11. The Colts struggled to run the ball with Mack out earlier this season, but he’s come on to solidify their rushing attack by averaging 78.5 yards per game. Not only is he chewing up yards on the ground, but he also has five total touchdowns across his last four games.

Mack hasn’t received a ton of carries the last two weeks, but he was on the field for at least 60 percent of the Colts offensive snaps in both contests. He’s clearly their lead back, which sets him up nicely for Sunday in a matchup against a Dolphins team that has allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (142). They’ve also struggled to put points on the board, so Mack might get a few extra carries in the second half if the Colts can jump out to an early lead.

Matt Breida vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $5,700

Breida was excellent against the Giants in Week 10, rushing 17 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in three of four targets for 31 yards and an additional score. It was just his second game of the season with at least 100 rushing yards and his four targets tied his previous season-high that he set back in Week 2. With Raheem Mostert (forearm) out for the rest of the season, Breida was also on the field for 60 percent of the 49ers offensive snaps, which was his second-highest percentage so far.

If anyone could have used a bye week, it’s Breida. He’s dealt with various injuries all season, but he should be well rested for what is a stellar matchup to target. The Bucs defense has been bad in just about every facet of the game, including being tied for the most rushing touchdowns allowed (14). They’ve also allowed 511 yards and four touchdowns through the air to opposing running backs. At this cheap price, it’s hard to pass up on Breida in tournament play.

Gus Edwards vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $4,400

The Ravens were forced to make a quarterback change last week with Joe Flacco (hip) unable to take the field. Lamar Jackson received his first career start against the Bengals, and while he didn’t do much through the air, he had 27 carries for 117 yards. The Ravens also changed things up a running back, giving Edwards carries as the game went on due to the struggles of Alex Collins. After rushing the ball just 15 times all season, Edwards exploded for 115 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

The threat of Jackson running the ball certainly makes things tough on opposing defenses. He and Edwards seemed to play off of each other well, so if Jackson does start again Sunday, Edwards could once again receive more carries Collins. There is certainly plenty of risk here since Edwards is largely an unproven commodity, but he’s priced so cheap on both sites that he won’t need to match his total from last week in order to still provide value.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 - Running Backs

Alex Collins vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,500

Collins was able to score an early touchdown against the Bengals but struggled again with only 18 yards on seven carries. That marked the fourth time in the last five games that he had 3.9 yards-per-carry or fewer, which was one of the reasons while the Ravens gave Edwards a chance to prove himself. With the uncertainty surrounding who will be their lead back moving forward, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to take a chance on Collins this week, especially at his price on FanDuel.

LeSean McCoy vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,200

It’s been a rough season for the Bills, but at least they were able to enjoy their bye week after drubbing the Jets 41-10. McCoy had his best performance of the year in that contest, turning 26 carries into 113 yards and two touchdowns. Don’t get too excited, though, because he had a total of 24 rushing yards across his previous three games. Even though he clearly still has something left in the tank, the Bills terrible overall offense leaves him with very little upside.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The Chiefs and Rams will be facing off on Monday Night Football, taking away two of the top running back options for the main Sunday slate of DFS in Week 11. There are also six teams on a bye, which hurts the overall depth at the position. Let’s dive into to schedule to see which options are still on the board. 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Running Backs

Saquon Barkley vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $8,800
DraftKings = $8,700

The Giants won their second game of the season against the 49ers in Week 10 with Barkley reaching 100 total yards. His 20 carries were a season-high, but his five targets were the first time he had received fewer than 10 targets since Week 5. The Giants offensive line has been one of the worst units in the league, which has limited Barkley to 3.4 yards-per-carry or fewer in four of his last five games.

Barkley’s touchdown upside will remain somewhat limited due to the Giants terrible offense, but this could be a week for him to shine against the Bucs since they are tied for the third-most rushing touchdown allowed (12) in the league. They’ve also allowed 473 yards and three touchdowns through the air to opposing running backs. With Barkley’s heavy workload, he makes for an excellent option in cash contests.

Melvin Gordon III vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings =$8,900

Gordon has yet to receive 20 carries in a game this season, but that hasn’t stopped him from being one of the most consistent fantasy contributors. He was excellent against the Raiders on Sunday, turning 18 carries into 93 yards. After recording 3.9 yards-per-carry last year, Gordon has posted 5.4 yards-per-carry this season. Not only did Gordon excel on the ground in Week 10, but he also turned five receptions in 72 yards and a touchdown.

With his most recent touchdown, Gordon has now found his way into the end zone at least one time in every game since Week 1. He’s also just 31 targets away from matching his mark from all of 2017. This is a matchup to exploit against the Broncos, who have allowed 4.8 yards-per-carry. Gordon won’t come cheap, but his workload and efficiency make him hard to pass up.

Christian McCaffrey vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $8,600
DraftKings = $8,000

The Panthers were beaten soundly by the Steelers last week, but McCaffrey still had a productive game with 138 total yards. He also accounted for all three of their scores, compiling one rushing touchdown and two through the air. He only found his way into the end zone once across his first five games but has seven total touchdowns over three games since.

McCaffrey has one of the highest floors among running backs based on his ability to contribute in both the running and passing attacks. He’s been on the field for 96 percent of the Panthers offensive snaps this season, which is tops among their skill players. That type of usage could set him up with a tremendous opportunity to thrive against the Lions, who have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (132.7).

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Running Backs

David Johnson vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,500

It took until Week 10, but Johnson finally had his first hefty stat line of the season against the Chiefs. Not only did he 98 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, but he also caught seven of nine targets for 85 yards and another score. The rushing yards are obviously important, but it was just as encouraging to see Johnson so involved in the passing game. After receiving 120 targets in 2016, Johnson only had 32 targets across his first eight games.

The change at offensive coordinator might salvage Johnson’s season. After the Cardinals had a bye week to install Byron Leftwich’s new scheme, Johnson looked like the fantasy star that we all know and love. This is another juicy matchup for him against the Raiders, who allow the third-most rushing yards per game (141). His price is already starting to climb, but it’s still low enough for him to have plenty of upside.

Doug Martin vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,500

To say this season has been a disappointment for the Raiders would be a huge understatement. After losing 20-6 to the Chargers last week, their record now stands at 1-8. Their defense hasn’t been good, but it’s hard to win many games when you score 1o points or fewer in four of your last five contests. With Marshawn Lynch (groin) on IR, Martin has received the bulk of their carries. It’s no surprise that he hasn’t scored a touchdown, but he has rushed for at least 61 yards in two of their last three games.

Martin is likely to continue to receive the majority of the carries for the Raiders, but he’s not going to be as involved in the passing attack as Jalen Richard. With the Raiders often down big in games, that doesn’t always work in Martin’s favor. However, even with the Cardinals improved play last week, they still have a ways to go before they can be considered as a dangerous offensive team. The game flow might work in Martin’s favor, which could lead him to a big day since the Cardinals allow the fourth-most rushing yards per game (140.3). They’ve also allowed 13 rushing touchdowns, so this is as good of an opportunity as any for Martin to finally reach the end zone.

Alex Collins vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,400

Collins emerged as the Ravens top running back last year, but his workload has been limited this season. He’s finished with 12 carries or fewer in seven of nine games and hasn’t been much of a factor catching passes out of the backfield, either. That’s not likely to change now with Ty Montgomery coming over from the Packers. Add his 3.7 yards-per-carry to his limited attempts and you get a running back who doesn’t seem all that appealing on the surface.

There are plenty of factors working against Collins in terms of his snap count, but he may still be someone to take a chance on in tournament play. He has managed to record six rushing touchdowns, four of which have come across his last four games. The Bengals have also been atrocious against the run, allowing the second-most yards per game (141.2) and 11 rushing touchdowns. He’s strictly a tournament play option, but this matchup leaves him with some intrigue.

Dion Lewis vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,800

The Titans pulled off possibly the biggest shocker of Week 10 with a commanding 34-10 win over the Patriots. It was sweet revenge for Lewis against his former team, but he didn’t exactly shine with 57 yards on 20 carries. The silver lining is the 20 carries, which marked his second straight week with at least 19 rushing attempts. His previous season-high was 16 carries back in Week 1.

Derrick Henry is the Titans preferred option when they get in close, which is the main reason why Lewis only has two total touchdowns. The good news is that he’s significantly out snapped Henry, playing at least 73 percent of their offensive snaps in three of the last four games. Lewis is also the far superior option in the passing game, which is one of the main reasons why he could be someone to play in Week 11. The Colts haven’t played all that poorly against the run, but they’be allowed 71 receptions and 571 receiving yards to running backs.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 - Running Backs

Lamar Miller vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,600

Miller has had his moments, but he’s largely struggled to provide consistent production. After posting back-to-back games with at least 100 rushing yards, Miller laid an egg in a favorable matchup against the Broncos in Week 9 by turning 12 carries into just 21 yards. That marked his fourth game of the season that he finished with 3.5 yard-per-carry or fewer. The Redskins have allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (90.9), potentially setting up Miller for another subpar performance.

Adrian Peterson vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,500

All things considered, Peterson didn’t play that poorly behind a makeshift offensive line in Week 10, rushing 19 times for 68 yards against the Bucs. The problem is, that might be close to best case scenario for him moving forward based on all of the injuries to the line. The Texans have allowed a league-low 3.6 yards-per-carry and just three rushing touchdowns, so there isn’t much of a case to be made for playing Peterson on Sunday.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Even though four teams will be on a bye for Week 8, there are still plenty of great running backs available in DFS. Let’s dig into the position to see where you can gain the edge for your entry. 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.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Todd Gurley vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $11,000
DraftKings = $9,800

Gurley is as automatic as they come. His performance in Week 7 was a prime example of just how high his floor is. He didn’t rack up a ton of yards on the ground with 15 carries for 63 yards. His receiving yards weren’t stellar, either, catching four of five targets for 23 yards. However, he had two rushing touchdowns and one receiving score. With the Rams loaded on offense, Gurley has already been able to cash in with 14 total touchdowns.

The Rams destroyed the 49ers 39-10 last week, so it didn’t really make much sense to run Gurley into the ground during a blowout. This game figures to be more competitive against a Packers team that has far more firepower on offense. The Packers defense hasn’t been very good at stopping the run, leaving them tied for the 10th-highest yards-per-carry allowed (4.5) in the league. Gurley is crazy expensive, but he’s someone to build your lineup around in cash contests.

Kareem Hunt vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $7,100

Things were looking scary for Hunt over the first three games this season, rushing a total of 52 times for 168 yards, which equated to 3.2 yards-per-carry. He wasn’t really involved in the passing attack, either, with one reception and three total targets during that stretch. The good news is that his struggles were shortlived. After destroying the Bengals for 141 total yards and three touchdowns in Week 7, Hunt now has 595 total yards and six touchdowns across his last four contests.

The Chiefs have arguably the most explosive offense in the league, which is going to leave Hunt with plenty of opportunities to find the end zone. His nine total touchdowns this year puts him only three scores away from passing hit total from all of last season. This has the makings of another monster performance for Hunt since the Broncos have allowed the second-most rushing yards per game (148.1) to go along with eight rushing touchdowns allowed.

James Conner vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,500

Conner comes into this game with fresh legs after the Steelers had a bye in Week 7. He was hot heading into the bye, rushing for 221 yards and four touchdowns across his previous two games. He also chipped in eight receptions for 93 yards. There were some rumors about Le’Veon Bell possibly reporting to the team during their bye week, but as of Wednesday, there was still no sign of his return. That should leave Conner as their starting running back for at least one more week.

This will mark Conner’s second start of the year against the Browns. He demolished them in Week 1, rushing 31 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns while also catching five of six targets for an additional 57 yards. While those numbers might be hard to duplicate, the Browns have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (134.7) and the second-most rushing touchdowns (10). Don’t hesitate to add Conner to your entry.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Kerryon Johnson vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $5,300

Johnson’s usage has been frustrating. In three of the first four games, he received nine or fewer carries. The only time he had more was in Week 3 when he cashed in 16 rushing attempts for 101 yards.  The Lions have finally started to lean on him a little more over their last two games, resulting in Johnson finishing with at least 12 carries and 70 yards in both contests. It will be hard for them to justify lessening his workload Sunday considering he posted 158 yards on 19 carries last week against the Dolphins.

Another downside when it comes to Johnson is that he’s not very involved in the passing game, receiving more than three targets in only one game so far. He also has to deal with LeGarrette Blount stealing some of the goalline work. The Seahawks defense has been very good against the pass, but they’ve allowed the ninth-most rushing yards per game (120.7). Johnson is certainly not a safe option, but this matchup leaves him with upside.

Marlon Mack vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,400

The Colts sure missed Mack at the beginning of this season. Injuries have limited him to just three games, but he’s healthy now and running away with the starting job in their backfield. He’s coming off of his best performance in what was a blowout win over the Bills in Week 7 when he had 126 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

The Colts racing out to a big lead helped Mack in terms of the game flow last week. There is a chance this game could play out in a similar fashion with the Raiders losing two key parts of their offense in Amari Cooper and Marshawn Lynch. Nyheim Hines limits Mack’s involvement in the passing game, but with the Raiders allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game (131.8), Mack is worth considering for your entry.

Phillip Lindsay vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,200

The Broncos offense hasn’t been good, but that didn’t stop them from hanging 45 points on the Cardinals last week. Lindsay didn’t blow the roof off in that game, but he had a strong performance by turning 14 carries into 90 yards and a touchdown. Although he has to split carries with Royce Freeman, Lindsay has still provided value in large part because he is averaging 5.8 yards-per-carry. Freeman, on the other hand, is averaging 4.4 yards-per-carry.

Freeman injured his ankle last week and his status is still up in the air for Sunday. If he is unable to play, Lindsay is likely to see a significant increase in volume. That could lead to a stellar stat line with the Chiefs allowing the third-most yards-per-carry (5.2). In their first meeting this season, Lindsay had 12 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Raheem Mostert vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $3,800

The 49ers backfield looked so promising heading into this season after they signed Jerick McKinnon. However, he tore his ACL before playing in a regular season game, leaving Matt Breida and Alfred Morris to lead the position. Breida has played well, but he’s been battling injuries of late. Morris has been largely ineffective with just 3.6 yards-per-carry, which has opened up an opportunity for Mostert. He’s made the most of his chance, so far, with 146 yards on 19 carries across their last two games.

Breida re-aggravated his ankle injury in Week 7, resulting in him leaving the game early with just five carries. His status is still uncertain for Week 8, but it might be prudent for the 49ers to rest him since this is an injury he’s dealt with before. If Breida doesn’t play, Mostert could receive the bulk of the carries. At this cheap price, he’d make for an excellent play against a Cardinals team that has allowed the most rushing yards per game (148.3) and the most rushing touchdowns (12).

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 8 - Running Backs

Alex Collins vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $4,600

Collins looked primed for a big campaign this year after grabbing hold of the Ravens starting running back job last year. He didn’t take over as the regular starter until Week 6 last season, but he finished with an average of 4.6 yards-per-carry. While efficiency was his strong suit, the opposite has been the case for him this year with just 3.6 yards-per-carry. Javorius Allen is their preferred option when they get close to the end zone, which significantly limits Collins’ upside. This is not a great matchup with the Panthers allowing the ninth-fewest rushing yards per game (95) so it might be best to avoid Collins.

Isaiah Crowell vs. Chicago Bears
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $3,700

Crowell has had two big games this season. His first was in Week 1 when he turned 10 carries into 102 yards and two touchdowns. The other was a 15-carry, 219-yard, one touchdown performance in Week 5 against the Broncos. However, he has a total of 138 rushing yards over his other five games. The Bears have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game (87.5) and have still not given up a score on the ground, making Crowell way too risky of an option in Week 8.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The running back position isn’t very deep for Week 7 because not only are four teams on a bye, but Saquon Barkley, David Johnson, and Kareem Hunt also won’t be available for the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS because they play in primetime games. Let’s dig into the position to see where you can gain the edge for your entry. 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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 - Running Backs

Todd Gurley vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $10,200
DraftKings = $9,800

Gurley dominated the Broncos last week, rushing 28 times for 208 yards and two touchdowns. After posting 13 rushing touchdowns in 2017, he already has nine through the first six weeks. He’s also been heavily involved in the passing game, receiving at least five targets in five of six games and posting two receiving scores.

It’s pick-your-poison when it comes to trying to defend against the Rams. Quarterback Jared Goff has shown significant improvement and they have a trio of excellent wide receivers, although Cooper Kupp likely won’t play in Week 7 due to a knee injury. Gurley is often put in great positions to score touchdowns and has one of the highest floors at any position in DFS, as a result. Don’t expect the 49ers to be able to slow him down.

Ezekiel Elliott vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $8,400
DraftKings = $8,100

The Cowboys pulled off a surprising 40-7 drubbing of the Jaguars on Sunday. Elliott played a key role in their victory, rushing 24 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. That marked the third time in the last four weeks that Elliot has rushed for at least 100 yards. He also converted his only target into an 11-yard score.

Outside of Week 6, the Cowboys offense hasn’t been very good this season. Elliott has been limited to four total touchdowns, as a result, but he’s been heavily involved with 117 carries and 23 receptions on 30 targets. His involvement in the passing game has provided a significant boost to his value after he had just 26 receptions on 38 targets across 10 games last year. The Redskins defense isn’t exactly a favorable matchup, but Elliott gets enough volume in the offense to still be worth considering in cash tournaments.

Christian McCaffrey vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,700

The Redskins stymied McCaffrey last week, holding him to 20 yards on eight carries. The Panthers were playing catchup after being down 14-0 after the first quarter, which was a big reason why McCaffrey had so few carries. Luckily, he’s a significant part of their passing game and finished the contest with seven catches on eight targets for 46 yards.

It was encouraging to see McCaffrey get so many targets even with tight end Greg Olsen returning from injury. Although McCaffrey did have an outlier performance where he rushed for 184 yards on 28 carries in Week 3, the majority of his value comes from his pass-catching abilities. The Eagles have been stout against the run, but they are tied for the fourth-most receptions allowed to opposing running backs (41).

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 - Running Backs

Tarik Cohen vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $5,100

Cohen got off to a quiet start this year but had his breakout game Week 4 when he not only rushed for 53 yards on 13 carries, but he also caught seven of eight targets for 121 yards and a touchdown. His speed and ability to catch passes out of the backfield makes him a tough cover for opposing defenses. The Bears had a bye for Week 5, but Cohen was productive again last week against the Dolphins, catching seven of nine targets for 90 yards and another touchdown.

Cohen does have to split backfield duties with Jordan Howard, but Howard has seen his percentage of snaps decrease each of the last three games, bottoming out at 51% in Week 6 compared to 49% for Cohen. If the Bears defense has trouble slowing down the Patriots, Cohen would likely be more involved in a high-scoring game as he’s a far superior pass catcher. He’s a bit risky, but there is plenty of upside here if the game flow falls in his favor.

Carlos Hyde vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $4,700

The Browns had their doors blown off by the Chargers last week as they were down 21-6 at the half and ultimately lost 38-14. As a result of the early lopsided score, Hyde finished with a season-low 14 carries for 34 yards. He also failed to receive a target for the first time this season, although he’s never logged more than three targets in any contest this season.

Maybe the most concerning part of Hyde’s poor performance was that he averaged just 2.4 yards-per-carry. That marked the third game this season where he has averaged less than three yards-per-carry. On the plus side, he has already scored five touchdowns. The Bucs haven’t given up a ton of rushing yards, but opposing offenses have only rushed the ball against them 112 times, fourth-fewest attempts in the NFL. They give up a lot of yards through the air, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Hyde at least finds himself in a favorable position to reach the end zone in this contest.

Kenyan Drake vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $4,900

Drake is involved in a frustrating timeshare for fantasy purposes with the ageless Frank Gore. Drake hasn’t logged more than 14 carries in any game this season, as a result. His best performance came in Week 5, but that was mostly attributed to his seven catches on 11 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. The passing game is one area that he has been able to separate himself from Gore, receiving 31 targets compared to Gore’s five.

Don’t expect things to shift any in terms of his workload this week, but that doesn’t mean Drake can’t provide value. The Lions have allowed three running backs to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season and have allowed the third-most rushing yard per game (145.8), overall. His upside isn’t off the charts due to Gore’s presence, but Drake is still someone to consider in tournament play.

Peyton Barber vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $3,800

The Bucs running game has been horrendous. Entering Week 6, Barber had rushed for 33 yards or fewer in three straight games and rookie Ronald Jones is still very much a work in progress. Barber finally showed signs of life in Jameis Winston’s return as the starting quarterback Sunday, rushing 13 times for 82 yards and catching all four of his targets for an additional 24 yards.

Barber still has a long way to go before you can feel very comfortable rolling with him in your lineup. However, it was encouraging to see him get 13 carries coming out of the bye week compared to only one for Jones. Barber appears to have a hold on the lead back job, for the time being, and gets a favorable matchup Week 7 against a Browns team that is tied for the sixth-most yards-per-carry allowed (4.7) and has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (1382.).

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 - Running Backs

Mark Ingram vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,900

Alvin Kamara was a man possessed during Ingram’s four-game suspension. That didn’t matter for Ingram’s first game back, though, as he received 16 carries compared to just six for Kamara. Kamara was only on the field for 47% of the team’s offensive plays after being on the field for at least 71% of them in each of the previous four weeks. Some of that had to do with the Saints getting up big in that game, while some of it also might have been the Saints seeing an opportunity to give Kamara a little rest. Expect him to be much more involved Sunday. This isn’t a great matchup for the Saints’ running backs, either, with the Ravens allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game (82.8).

Alex Collins vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,400
DraftKings = $4,800

After averaging 4.6 yards-per-carry during his breakout campaign last year, Collins is only averaging 3.6 yards-per-carry this season. He did come away with two touchdowns last week, but Javorius Allen has been their preferred goal-line back. Allen has also been on the field for 47% of the team’s offensive plays this season compared to 43% for Collins. The Saints have allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (71.4), leaving Collins with very little upside.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

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The NFL season is finally here! Along with it comes another exciting year of daily fantasy football. We’ll be doing things a little differently as we look to help you fatten your wallet. We’ll be churning out four articles a week, including one each for quarterbacks, runnings backs, wide receivers and a combined piece for tight ends and defenses/special teams.

In each article, we’ll highlight some players to target for cash or GPP contents. We’ll also highlight some players to avoid as your craft your lineup. 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

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 - Running Backs

Alvin Kamara vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $8,700
DraftKings = $8,500

Selected in the third round of the 2017 Draft, there wasn’t a lot of buzz around Kamara heading into last year. The Saints already had the productive Mark Ingram on their roster and had also added Adrian Peterson. However, Kamara wasted no time making a name for himself, ultimately forcing his way into a prominent role. He finished with 728 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns on only 120 carries. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he also hauled in 81 of 100 targets for 826 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

The Saints will be forced to ride Kamara out of the gate with Ingram serving a four-game suspension. They did bring in Mike Gillislee after he was cut by the Patriots, but don’t expect him to get many carries. The Buccaneers could be tough against the run this season, but with Kamara’s heavy workload and ability to contribute in the passing game, he still has a very high floor.

Melvin Gordon vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $8,100
DraftKings = $6,800

Gordon was a workhorse for the Chargers in 2017, rushing 284 times for 1,105 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had his best season in the passing attack, catching 58 of 83 targets for 476 yards and four touchdowns. Although Austin Ekeler showed some promise in the preseason, Gordon is certainly going to get all the carries he can handle again this year.

Gordon draws a great matchup Week 1 against a Chiefs defense that allowed the eighth-most rushing yards in the NFL last year. They were also tied for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns allowed. They likely won’t be much better this season, either, with Pro Football Focus ranking them 31st against the run.

Alex Collins vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,600

Collins wasn’t able to find a role with the Seahawks, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2016. He joined the Ravens after being released and was part of a running backs group that included Terrance West, Danny Woodhead, and Javorius Allen. Injuries and ineffective play quickly vaulted Collins into a prominent role. He didn’t let his opportunity go to waste, finishing the season with 212 carries, 973 rushing yards, and six touchdowns. The one drawback was that he wasn’t overly involved in the passing game, catching 23 of 36 targets for just 187 yards.

The Ravens head into this year with the intent of giving Collins a significant workload once again. Week 1 brings a contest against a Bills team that is starting Nathan Peterman at quarterback and is lacking talent at wide receiver. They may have a hard time putting points on the board, which could lead to plenty of carries for Collins if the Ravens get up big early and try to run out the clock. Don’t count on him to catch many passes out of the backfield, but Collins still has a floor high at this reasonable price.

GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 - Running Backs

Royce Freeman vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,500

The Broncos moved on from C.J. Anderson this offseason, selecting Freeman in the third round of the draft. He was a star at Oregon, averaging 5.9 yards per carry and recording 60 rushing touchdowns over four seasons.

Freeman showed promise during the preseason and enters Week 1 at the top of the Broncos depth chart at running back. Devontae Booker will likely be their preferred option in passing situations, but he’s only averaged 3.6 yards per carry during his NFL carrier. The Seahawks lost both Sheldon Richardson and Michael Bennett during the offseason and enter 2018 with the 24th ranked defense against the run according to Pro Football Focus.

Duke Johnson Jr. vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,700

Johnson doesn’t see much action in the running game, rushing just 82 times for 348 yards in 2017. His value comes from his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. He set career highs last year in targets (93), receptions (74), receiving yards (693) and receiving touchdowns (three).

The Browns underwent a major overhaul during the offseason, adding Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb to their offense. There are certainly more mouths to feed, but Taylor is also a significant improvement over the quarterbacks Johnson played with last year. Hyde figures to lead the Browns rushing attack, but Johnson should still catch enough passes to warrant consideration for your entry.

James White vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – Gillette Stadium
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $4,000

The Patriots had a lot of depth in their backfield last year with White, Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead, and Gillislee. White doesn’t normally get many carries as he’s a better weapon catching passes. Even with the crowded bunch, White caught 56 of 72 targets for 429 yards and three touchdowns.

Lewis has moved on to the Titans, but the Patriots drafted Sony Michel in the first round and signed Jeremy Hill to further bolster their running back group. Michel has battled a knee injury during the preseason and while he still may return for Week 1, it would be surprising to see him have a significant role. Burkhead is dealing with a knee injury of his own, but it appears he’ll be ready to go for this game. Even if he does play, expect White to be heavily involved in the passing game with the Patriots lack of depth at wide receiver due to the Julian Edelman suspension.

Jordan Wilkins vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $5,100
DraftKings = $3,700

The Colts finished tied for the fifth-worst yards per carry (3.7) in the NFL last year. They were led by Frank Gore, who had 961 rushing yards on 261 carries. With Gore now a member of the Dolphins, the starting running back job is up for grabs in Indianapolis.

One option to possibly start was Robert Turbin, but he’s currently serving a four-game suspension. Another candidate is Marlon Mack, but he might not be able to play Week 1 due to a hamstring injury. If he can’t go, Wilkins will likely get the opportunity to start. He’ll lose some carries to Nyheim Hines and/or Christine Michael, but neither of them is an overly impressive runner. The Bengals will be without key run defender Vontaze Burfict due to another suspension, making Wilkins possibly worth the risk in tournament play at his dirt cheap price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 1 - Running Backs

Le’Veon Bell vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $9,400

There is no doubt that Le’Veon Bell is one of the elite running backs in the NFL. The problem is his contract dispute with the Steelers. As of the writing of this article, Bell had still not reported to the team. Even if he does report before Sunday, he’s cutting it very close in terms of game preparation. He participated in his first practice the Monday before Week 1 in 2017 and finished with a season-low 10 carries in that game. At this lofty price, Bell is too much of a risk.

Saquon Barkley vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,700

The Giants underwent significant organizational changes after a disastrous 2017 campaign riddled with injuries and poor play. They ended up with the second pick in the draft as a result and ultimately decided to select Barkley instead of a successor to Eli Manning. Barkley is an elite talent who projects to have a strong season behind an improved offensive line. He’s dealt with a hamstring injury during the preseason, but he’s declared himself completely healthy heading into this game. However, he has to face a loaded Jaguars defense that enters ranked seventh against the run by Pro Football Focus. There will be plenty of weeks where you want to include Barkley in your entry, but I don’t think this is one of them.