FanDuel NFL: Running Backs Week 2 is a column highlighting the best player, most affordable, and best value options for your FanDuel NFL lineups focusing on salary versus expected points. The intention of this article is to help you build your FanDuel NFL lineup for the most likely big payday each week.
I like to lean on FantasyPros for weekly point projections, the information is a result of consensus from many fantasy football experts. I check the point projection results, which update daily, with the salary set by FanDuel for players each week. Entering week 2, we should start to see salaries settle into a more reasonable point for many players. However, some players may still be over/under valued based on their week 1 results.
To help you optimize your FanDuel NFL lineups each week, we’re focusing on the Most Points, Best Affordable, and Most Value options. This article will focus on the Running Back position. Here’s a brief description of each category:
- Most Projected Points – Evaluation of top projected point options from FantasyPros
- Best Affordable – Your most affordable, best player, options leaving you with enough money for good players in other positions
- Most Value – Identify the cheapest players with the highest upside
Now, let’s take a look at the players everyone’s targeting:
Next: Most Projected Points - RB
Most Projected Points – RB
There were major booms and busts at the running back position for FanDuel NFL this past weekend. If anyone played Todd Gurley ($8,400 / 13.2 vs. SEA), like I did, you’re likely going to avoid him this week. I don’t blame you. Gurley had 4.7 points on Monday Night. Todd’s salary was a pricing $8,900. So anyone who played him was ripped off! Let’s try to avoid that this week.
While the Arizona Cardinals couldn’t pull off the win against a Brady-less New England Patriots, David Johnson still had a very good day. Johnson ended the game with 21.2 points, 6th among all running backs. That’s pretty decent for his $8,800 salary. However, there were better value options like Spencer Ware, DeAngelo Williams, and C.J. Anderson. But, unlikely Gurley, Johnson played to the hype level entering the season. This week, DJ is projected to hit 17.0 points, the most projected points of any running back week 2. However, we’re paying $9,000 for week 2. Still, Johnson is the least risky play of any running back and is worth the high price. You may just need to find a few value plays to afford him.
Ezekiel Elliott ($7,900) is 2nd with 16.4 points projected, but I’m still not sold on Elliott. In week 1, ‘Zeke’ had a solid début with 11.7 points. The Redskins also gave up the most FanDuel NFL RB points to DeAngelo Williams, 32.1, in week 1. I don’t think the Skins defense is that bad. They should bounce back at some point. Also, Elliott has yet to really prove his top 5 ready. I’m holding off for another week before I jump on Elliott.
C.J. Anderson ($7,800) is 3rd with 14.6 points. That’s not surprising considering his scorching of a very good Carolina defense, and he’s now up against a struggling Indianapolis Colts team. Anderson is the best value option of the top 5 projected points for RB’s. C.J. is a good pairing for David Johnson. The 4th and 5th most projected points week 2 go to Lamar Miller ($7,700 / 14.4 / KC) and DeAngelo Williams ($7,600 / 14.3 / CIN). It’s unlikely Williams will replicate week 1, but he’s certainly worth a consideration until he disappoints, or Le’veon Bell comes back. Miller continues to look like a top 3 RB sleeper for fantasy football and it’s always a good idea to fit him into your lineup as long as you can afford him, regardless of the defense.
Next: Best Affordable - RB
Best Affordable – RB
Heading into week 1, I wasn’t sure what to make of the Tennessee Titan’s running game. We’ve seen great things from DeMarco Murray in the past, but he had a terrible season last year in Philadelphia. The Titans took Derrick Henry, a great running back out of perennial powerhouse Alabama, in the 2nd round of the draft, and it was reasonable to assume Henry would become a big part of the Titans running game. But on game day, Murray was able to turn two passes around the red zone into touchdowns. DeMarco piled up 20.2 points, 9th among all running backs, on a very cheap $6,600 salary. In Week 2, Murray’s salary climbed to $7,400 landing him in the middle of the pack. DeMarco only had 42 rushing yards, and his touchdowns were the result of receptions, not something I expect to see each week. But, the Titans are playing the Lions this week and I suspect Murray will see more success on the ground and could be a solid play. FantasyPros has DeMarco projected at 12.4 points, which is reasonable. On this salary, he’s one of the better affordable options.
If you’re eager to get a lineup started for Thursday, strongly consider Matt Forte. Follow FanSided Expert, Brian Tulloch, recently wrote an article about Forte against the Cincinnati Bengals. Brian was at the game, and had a great perspective. Forte is fitting in nicely with the Jets offense and was all over the field. By the end of the game, Matt had 18 points, 10th among all running backs. The Jets face the Bills in Buffalo this week, and I suspect the Bills defense will not bad as strong as the Bengals. On a $6,800 salary, this pick could be a steal.
Next: Most Value - RB
Most Value – RB
Given how poorly the Cleveland Browns defense played against the Eagles on Sunday, it’s not too surprising Ryan Mathews was able to have a decent game, finally punching into the end zone toward the end of the game. Mathews ended the game with 13.7 points, 16th among all running backs. That’s pretty good on a very cheap $6,100 salary. For week 2, Ryan’s salary has only climbed $200 to $6,300. Mathews is projected to have 12.7 points this week, tied for 12th. With only the 28th most expensive salary, that’s a fantastic bargain! Mathews is up against a Chicago Bears defense who, while not as bad as the Browns, is also expected to struggle this season. This could be a great way to afford David Johnson this week.
The San Diego Charges play the Jacksonville Jaguars at home this week, and I think this presents a very unique ‘stacking’ option at running back. This may not be the last time we see this from the Chargers this season either. Danny Woodhead is proving to be a dangerous receiving weapon for the Chargers out of the offensive backfield. Woodhead is piling up receptions, rushing and catching yards, and touchdowns since last season. That continued in week 1 against the Chiefs. Danny had 20.5 points, 7th among all RB’s, on a rock-bottom $5,800 salary. Woodhead’s salary only climbed to $6,400 this week. Also, Melvin Gordon had two touchdowns and finished the game with 17.7 points, 11th among all running backs. Gordon’s salary is also still cheap, only $6,600. The Jags defense looks to be improved, but after their game against the Packers, they appear to be on the bottom half of the league in rushing defense. A Woodhead/Gordon stack gives you many options at other positions, while still keeping about 30-40 points.
Wrapping up value, we should revisit Matt Forte one more time. Forte is projected to pull in top 10 FanDuel NFL points for RB’s and has a mid-range salary of only $6,800. Matt Forte is my favorite running back pick of the week.