FanDuel NFL: Running Backs Week 3
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NFL: Running Backs Week 3 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 NFL for players each week. Entering week 3, 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 2 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
The top two Fantasy Football League running backs heading into league drafts were Todd Gurley ($8,300 / 13.2) and David Johnson ($8,400 / 16.5). So far this season, Gurley is falling flat as a FanDuel NFL RB option. This week, he’s not even projected in the top five, playing in Tampa Bay. That should be a favorable matchup against the Bucs defense. However, until Todd shows some improvement, $8,300 seems like a rip off.
David Johnson, however, has been solid. As I wrote about in my draft rankings, what makes DJ appealing is his ability to catch the ball in open space and break some tackles for large games. Johnson is a good running back too, but his pass catching ability makes him a top option each week. In week 2, Johnson had 15.8 points. And as his salary has fallen to the mid-$8,000’s, he’s becoming a good option heading into week 3. FantasyPros has Johnson as their top projected point-getting this week. I think he’s worth a consideration at this price, against a struggling Buffalo Bills team.
To the surprise of no one, DeAngelo Williams ($8,800 / 17.4) is in the top 3 for projected FanDuel NFL points this week. Williams has been the best back so far this season, and until this week, was clearly the best value. However, for week 3, DeAngelo’s salary jumped to $8,800. While Williams has been fantastic, the Eagles haven’t given up many rushing yards so far this season, and only two rushing touchdowns. I’m not sure Williams will have the same type of success he had in week 1 and week 2. Also, with that in mind, I’m not attracted to DeAngelo’s now pricey salary. For this week, I’m going to pass on Williams.
Ezekiel Elliott ($8,100 / 14.6), Lamar Miller ($7,000 / 14.4), and Melvin Gordon ($7,100 / 14.3) round out the top five projected points from FantasyPros. I’m still not sold on Elliott. He looks great at times, but again, he’s a rookie. It also appears the Cowboys are concerned. After multiple fumbles, Zeke sat out the rest of the game last week. At only $7,000, Miller is definitely worth a consideration. But after the Danny Woodhead injury, Melvin Gordon should be the best value within the top five. Gordon is already having a great year, 19.5 points last week. Regardless of the roster moves the Chargers make this week, I suspect Gordon’s utility will increase significantly.
Next: Best Affordable - RB
Best Affordable – RB
As a Fantasy Football league owner of Mark Ingram ($6,900 / 13.4) I’ve learned to be patient. Ingram hasn’t historically started seasons strong, and has a rough game here and there. But he’s the kind of back who will keep grinding and find throughout each season. Yes, he’s been on the injury list each year too, but lately which running back has been able to avoid injury? After a quiet two weeks, I suspect Ingram could emerge against the Falcons. Atlanta’s defense has struggled this year, and if New Orleans can find a lead, Mark is going to carry them to victory. On a $6,900 salary, this is a very affordable way to get 10-20 points.
On the other side of the Saints/Falcons game this week is Devonta Freeman ($7,400 / 12.9). Freeman isn’t as attractive as Ingram, because Mark is expected to have a better game on a lower salary. However, Freeman is almost a lock to get you at least 10 points, and the Falcons do have a pretty good shot at beating the Saints. If Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense can take an early lead, we may see a lot of Devonta carrying the ball. There is one additional risk, though. Tevin Coleman appears to be taking carries, and catches, away from Freeman. This is a problem you won’t have with Ingram.
Finally, we can’t move on without mentioning Matt Forte ($7,500 / 13.8). Matt is having a terrific start to the season, tied for the most rushing touchdowns so far this season, three in just two games. Forte is also averaging almost 100 rushing yards and has been making great gains on catches out of the backfield. The Jets do face a tough Chiefs defense this week, but there’s little reason to believe they’ll be able to stymie Forte’s momentum this year. I’m hoping the Chiefs defense scares off some FanDuel NFL players from using Forte, and we get a sneaking good pick out of him this week.
Next: Most Value - RB
Most Value – RB
Frank Gore ($5,700 / 10.5) was a surprise value play last week against a tough Denver Bronco’s defense. Gore isn’t piling up rushing yards, only getting between 40-60 yards per game, but he’s been able to get a few catches out of the backfield and took one into the end zone last weekend. This week, Frank faces a team who has struggled with backs catching the ball out of the backfield. Spencer Ware had a ‘field day’ against the Chargers in week 1. With a low $5,700 salary and projected points of over 10 this week, Frank Gore has high value coming into the game against San Diego. He’ll also allow you to make bigger plays at other positions or pairs well with Melvin Gordon without hurting your options at QB and WR.
I don’t love Theo Riddick ($6,400 / 12.1) playing in Green Bay. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that Riddick looked good when Ameer Abdullah went down with an injury. In fact, Riddick has always been the better back out of the backfield, and it’s likely the Lions will fall behind the Packers this weekend and Stafford will have to sling a few to Theo. This could be a sneaky value play that few will take.
Wrapping up value, we should revisit Melvin Gordon one more time. Gordon is facing one of the worst defenses so far this season, in Indianapolis. Gordon’s utility will increase significantly with Woodhead out, and he’s still a very reasonable $7,100 even though he’s proven a quality FanDuel NFL RB option this season. Put Melvin Gordon in your lineups!