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Running Backs
How tough is it to predict running backs for fantasy in this day and age? With all of the running back committee's forming, it's difficult to figure who is going to be the runner that finds the end zone on a consistent basis. Sometimes, you have to decide if you want the guy with all of the yards and touches with no scores. Or if you want the guy with hardly any touches and yards, with one or potentially two scores.
For Week 14, I'd say go with the guy who is going to get a significant workload in both areas of the game. On the ground, and through the air. You seriously cannot go wrong with that. The more opportunity for points, the better off you'll be. There are some really great, sure thing backs on the early slate this week. Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffery, Saquon Barkley. All of those guys look like they are worth playing. But then again, you see the price tag and realize it may not be worth it in the end, because you'll lack scoring elsewhere. Let me help you out.
Jaylen Samuels - $3,700
The Pittsburgh Steelers are down to their third-string running back, Jaylen Samuels. It's unfortunate, but it will be a big win for those who decide to play him in daily fantasy. This isn't a knock on Le'Veon Bell or James Conner, but it looks like any serviceable running back can be somewhat productive out of the Pittsburgh backfield. This week, the sleeper back is definitely Samuels, who comes with a dirt cheap price tag playing against one of the worst teams in the league, the Oakland Raiders.
Ezekiel Elliott - $8,600
This is one is a little out of the budget, but we can make it work. Typically, I wouldn't suggest paying up for an obvious running back like Elliott, but the matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles is just too good. For one, the last time Elliott played against the Eagles, he went off for 187 total yards and two touchdowns. Last week, the Eagles did well against the Redskins rushing attack so many fantasy players may shy away from Zeke. However, we're not going to do that. The first Cowboys-Eagles matchup was no fluke for Elliott. He went off for a reason. That Philly defense is broken down, and Dallas is going to put the game on Elliott's back once again.
The Lineup
QB - Matt Ryan $5.6K
RB - Ezekiel Elliott $8.6K
RB - Jaylen Samuels $3.7K
WR - Golden Tate 4.8K
WR - Antonio Brown $9.0K
WR - Courtland Sutton $4.5K
TE - Eric Ebron $5.7K
FLEX - Marlon Mack $4.6K
D/ST - New Orleans Saints $2.7K