Getty Gallery: 3/5
Top DraftKings Week 6 Running Back Value Plays
– Tevin Coleman ($5,400) vs. Buccaneers
– David Johnson ($5,900) vs. Vikings
– Bilal Powell ($4,500) vs. Colts*
– Chris Carson ($4,400) vs. Raiders
– Marshawn Lynch ($5,300) vs. Seahawks
*Powell if Isaiah Crowell ruled out
All the Tevin Coleman this week in a strong matchup with an incredible price. The Falcons running back is going to have a ton of ownership, but it's hard to argue with the situation. Devonta Freeman has been ruled out for the game, leaving Coleman primed to take on a heavy workload and huge role.
On the season, the Buccaneers have allowed 276 rushing yards on 75 attempts, 328 receiving yards and six total touchdowns to opposing running backs. With Coleman's pass-catching ability, he may have one of the highest-floors on the entire slate.
David Johnson is an interesting name on this slate, and although he's only $5,900, he may not garnish heavy ownership. The Cardinals offense is not even close to good and the matchup with the Vikings is less than ideal. With all that said, Johnson just manages to keep on trucking along and producing in a variety of ways. If he's shutdown on the ground, he catches passes and scores touchdowns, it's just that simple.
I'll happily take Johnson in big GPP's at this price, especially considering he's hit at least 16.1 DraftKings points in four of five games this season.
If Isaiah Crowell sits out, Bilal Powell should see all the work he can handle, and for a pass-catching back who's capable of producing on the ground, that's a great spot. Especially when you factor in his wonderful price tag of $4,400. The main reason I'm high on Powell (aside from the workload) is that the Colts have given up 39 receptions for a brutal 330 yards to running backs this season. Great spot for Powell, but you need to monitor Crowell's status.
Are we safe to buy the Chris Carson hype? I'm not overly optimistic about the situation just yet, mainly because Seahawks coach Pete Carroll can be a headache when it comes to running backs. But Carson has seen 51 carries over the past two games while totaling 218 yards and one touchdown. He now draws a Raiders defense allowing 127.2 rushing yards per game, the fifth-worst in the NFL.
At $4,400, it's going to be tough to pass on Carson, even with the risk of getting Carroll-ed and seeing him sidelined in favor of Mike Davis.
I opted against a "tier two" here, largely due to the fact that I think each of the value running back plays is a strong option. I did have Nyheim Hines on here before news came out that Marlon Mack will return from injury. With that said, Hines is in an interesting spot against the Jets, and if you want to take a flier on him, I can't blame you.
But to round out the running back list, I'm going with Marshawn Lynch in a spot that can't be ignored. The "revenge" narrative (sort of) against his former team in the Seattle Seahawks. We know Lynch runs angry and powerful, and I think we'd be crazy not to use Beast Mode at least once or twice when the Raiders play in London.
Seattle has been fine against the run, allowing 483 yards and four touchdowns to opposing backs, but prior to last week, Lynch had seen at least 18 carries in three-straight games. His reduced workload in Week 5 came due to the Raiders trailing the entire game, but I believe it'll land around 20 carries once again in this game.
*All stats for defense vs. position courtesy of ESPN.