Fantasy Football Week 3: Last Minute Value Options

Running Back

Zac Stacy-St. Louis Rams: The Cowboys defense has been better than expected, but they haven’t faced a top running back in their first two games. Stacy put together a solid effort last week in Tampa going for 71 yards on the ground and should be the focus of the St. Louis offense as they take on the visiting Cowboys.

C.J. Spiller-Buffalo Bills: The Chargers have allowed over five yards per carry so far this season and C.J. Spiller has been getting enough touches to make him a good option despite sharing the backfield with Fred Jackson.  Spiller has the ability to break off long runs every time he touches the ball and I think he’ll get loose for a long one against the Bolts.

Lamar Miller-Miami Dolphins: Miller will be the featured back for the Dolphins this week with Knowshon Moreno sidelined. He gets a nice matchup at home against the Chiefs this week that has allowed 250 rushing yards and over four yards a carry so far this season.

Ahmad Bradshaw-Indianapolis Colts: The only thing that could hold Bradshaw back from a big day against the Jags is if the Indy coaches decide to give the ball to Trent Richardson too much.  I wouldn’t be too worried about that, though, since Bradshaw was the better receiving back, the better goal line back, and had a higher yards-per-carry average.  As long as he gets the work again, he’s a nice play today.

Khiry Robinson-New Orleans Saints: With Mark Ingram sidelined just after winning the Saints primary running back job, New Orleans will look to Khiry Robinson to step in against the Vikings this week. He’ll still share time with receiving back Pierre Thomas, but Robinson should get the goal line looks and enough carries to make him fantasy relevant in almost all formats especially if you can get him cheaply.

Jerick McKinnon-Minnesota Vikings: McKinnon is a much higher upside and more athletic option for the Vikings out of the backfield than Matt Asiata.  Asiata will get the start and most of the work against New Orleans this week, but McKinnon has the upside to be a factor sooner rather than later and offensive coordinator Norv Turner has indicated he’s going to ride the “hot hand” meaning McKinnon will get the work when he’s ready for it.  He won’t cost much this week and is worth watching to see how many plays and touches he gets on the road against the Saints.

Last week: Giovani Bernard, Terrance West, Fred Jackson, Jonathan Stewart, Dexter McCluster