Getty Gallery: 3/5
Top-10 Highest Projected Running Back on DraftKings
– Alvin Kamara ($9,600) vs. Giants
– Saquon Barkley ($8,100) vs. Saints
– Melvin Gordon ($8,300) vs. 49ers
– Ezekiel Elliott ($7,700) vs. Lions
– Giovani Bernard ($6,300) vs. Falcons
– *Leonard Fournette ($7,000) vs. Jets
– David Johnson ($6,600) vs. Seahawks
– Sony Michel ($5,400) vs. Dolphins
– Tevin Coleman ($5,900) vs. Bengals
– James White ($5,400) vs. Dolphins
*Leonard currently questionable
Tier 2
With there being so many running backs and wide receivers worth playing, I've offered up two tiers of rankings for the two positions. Both lists are ranked based on highest projected and the number of players in tier two will depend on how much I like the options.
– Carlos Hyde ($5,500) vs. Raiders
– Jordan Howard ($6,800) vs. Buccaneers
– Chris Carson ($4,600) vs. Cardinals
– Marshawn Lynch ($4,800) vs. Browns
– Kerryon Johnson ($4,400) vs. Cowboys
– Austin Ekeler ($4,200) vs. 49ers
DraftKings Running Back Value Plays
*Note: All value plays at running back cost roughly $6,000 or less.
Week 4 is loaded with running back value plays, starting with two Patriots players in Sony Michel and James White. I was close to placing White above Michel, but the latter's price and the fact that he was a huge part of the gameplan last week stood out. With Rex Burkhead being placed on injured reserve, and Michel receiving 14 carries and three targets in a game the Patriots were behind in from the first quarter, it makes his price hard to overlook.
On the flip side, White is about as safe of a play as you can imagine it seems from a "high floor" standpoint. He's going to get targets from Tom Brady regardless of the situation and has hit 14 DraftKings points or more in every game. White's usage should also go up with Burkhead out, so he's safe to roll out all over at $5,400.
While the Bengals defense isn't bad, they haven't done well in terms of keeping opposing running backs from producing in fantasy. Pair that with the low price of Tevin Coleman who'll get another week with no Devonta Freeman, and he's hard to pass up. After nearly scoring 20 fantasy points two weeks ago, Coleman struggled a bit in Week 4, rushing for just 33 yards. Fortunately, he still managed 12.7 points and the Bengals have allowed 305 rushing yards, 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns to backs.
I'm excited to see what Carlos Hyde does while playing alongside Baker Mayfield, as it seems safe to assume his fantasy value will increase. Hyde has found the end zone in every game this season (twice last week) but Mayfield's first game was the first time he posted a yards-per-carry average above 3.0. The Raiders aren't bad against running backs, but I think Hyde could still pay off his $5,500 price tag pretty easily.
Chris Carson is a name I expect many fantasy players have circled, but Pete Carroll's use of running backs terrifies me a bit. Even still, Carson is coming off a game in which he received 34 touches, including a whopping 32 carries. His previous high this season was seven carries, so it seems Carroll may be set to go all-in on Carson (hopefully).
If this proves to be the case for the Seahawks running back, he draws an exceptional matchup, as the Cardinals have allowed 370 rushing yards, 208 receiving yards and six total touchdowns. Carson found the end zone last week and this looks like a prime spot for him to do it again.
Speaking of giving up touchdowns on the ground, the Browns have allowed four rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs, so Marshawn Lynch should find the end zone Sunday. The veteran has scored a touchdown in all three games this season and his workload has increased in each game along the way as well. Beast Mode seems like a great option at $4,800 in a spot where the Raiders desperately need a win.
The matchups for Kerryon Johnson and Austin Ekeler don't get me overly excited, but they're both in play due to the ability to catch passes. Neither matchup is bad, as both the Cowboys and 49ers rank in the middle of the league against running backs, but they've allowed 24 and 26 receptions, respectively.
After a breakout performance, I'm interested to see if Johnson can continue trending upwards for the Lions. He only played 44 percent of the offensive snaps last week, per Football Outsiders, but it resulted in 16 carries for 101 yards and three targets.
Top DraftKings Optimal Lineup Around Favorite RB Plays
– QB: Matt Ryan
– RB: Saquon Barkley
– RB: Ezekiel Elliott
– WR: Julio Jones
– WR: Randall Cobb
– WR: Antonio Callaway
– TE: O.J. Howard
– FLEX: Sony Michel
– DST: Dallas Cowboys