FanDuel fantasy football picks: week 8
High Priced Running Backs
Adrian Peterson (8,900): The running back I like the most on the top of the salary structure for the third week in a row is Adrian Peterson. Peterson fell just two yards short of 100 last week against the Lions, but he added 12 yards on three catches for 110 total yards. He also didn’t find the end zone for the second week in a row, but I expect that to change this week as the Vikings visit Chicago to face the struggling Bears. Peterson has been pretty solid since a week 1 struggle in San Francisco, and he’s always a good play since he is such a huge part of everything the Vikings do. Peterson is dealing with a variety of dings and knicks which are causing him to miss some practice time this week, but he should be ready to roll on Sunday unless something dramatically changes.
Todd Gurley (8,100): After returning from knee surgery, rookie running back Todd Gurley has been as good as advertised. Last week, he faced high expectations against a vulnerable Cleveland run defense, and he delivered with 128 yards and two touchdowns on his 19 carries and another 35 yards on his four catches. He has over 150 all-purpose yards in each of his last three games, and the Rams are not shying away from riding him extremely hard and giving him a very heavy workload. This week, St. Louis hosts the 49ers, and San Francisco is another great matchup for Gurley to exploit. He’ll be widely owned again this week, but it’s hard to fade him when he keeps going off and putting up huge production.
Mark Ingram (8,000): Last week could have been a huge one for Ingram against the Colts, but he had two scores vultured by Khiry Robinson who has clearly become the Saints choice at the goal line. Even with those two touchdowns stolen, though, Ingram finished with 21.8 FanDuel points on 143 yards and a touchdown on his 14 carries and a pair of catches for five more yards. This week, Ingram and the Saints face the Giants at home, and he’ll be looking for at least 15 FanDuel points for the fifth time in his last six games.
Doug Martin (7,500): Martin has been on a roll the last three weeks scoring a total of four touchdowns while rushing for 106, 123, and 136 yards. Martin had been sharing time with Charles Sims, but he’s clearly emerged as the top back in Tampa. This week, Martin has a great matchup against the Falcons who allow the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. There is a risk that the Bucs fall too far behind the Falcons to stick with Martin and the running game, but at 7,500 Martin has definitely shown he has the upside to be worth that risk.
Chris Johnson (7,300): Johnson and the Cardinals travel to Cleveland in week 8, and I think he makes a good play even with Andre Ellington back from injury and David Johnson still taking a few carries. Last week, Johnson ripped off 122 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against the Ravens giving him at least 12 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. The Browns haven’t been able to stop anyone on the ground this year, so CJ?K is definitely an option to consider.
Week 7 Picks: Adrian Peterson, Chris Ivory, Todd Gurley, Justin Forsett, Latavius Murray
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