FanDuel NFL: Running Backs Week 8
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NFL: Running Backs Week 8 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 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. This week, there are six teams on a ‘bye’, including the Steelers, 49ers, Dolphins, Rams, Ravens, and Giants. So, we can already cut the following players from our lineups:
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 Backs 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
With Le’Veon Bell on a bye this week, the top two projected running backs aren’t much of a surprise. David Johnson ($8,700 / 19.5) and Ezekiel Elliott ($8,500 / 17.7) are likely among the top three running back options for FanDuel NFL in the foreseeable future, as long as they’re healthy.
Johnson is facing a Carolina Panthers defense who has struggled this season. However, the Panthers linebackers are still playing well, and Carolina is 7th among all NFL team against the run. But, the Panthers passing defense has progressively gotten worse as the season marches on. DJ is a great pass catcher out of the backfield, and should still have a very good day, although with an expensive price tag.
Elliott is also facing a tough defense this week. The Eagles are 14th against the run, but they gave up huge running yards to the Redskins two weeks ago. Also, Zeke has been absolutely unstoppable for almost any defense. He’s always worth the price tag if you can afford him, even week 8 against the Eagles.
There’s a slight drop off from DJ and Zeke this wee, but not by much. Spencer Ware ($7,400 / 17.1) will likely have a field day against the Indianapolis Colts, ranked 24th against the run this year. The Chiefs, with Ware in the backfield, are having great success on the ground this season. Ware’s price tag is also affordable, and a great option paired with DJ or Elliott if you can make it work.
Devonta Freeman ($6,900 / 15.9) and Christine Michael ($7,800 / 15.7) round out the top five. Between the two, I like Freeman more because of his cheap price-tag, only $6,900 for 15+ points. Unfortunately, the Packers are the best run defense in the NFL now, and Freeman is a risky play, even at his week 8 bargain price. Michael is a better lock for a big point gain this week. The Seahawks will be in New Orleans.
Next: Best Affordable - RB
Best Affordable – RB
Matt Forte ($7,300 / 15.3) is having a solid comeback season, averaging 14 FanDuel NFL points per game, 14th among all running backs this year. Matt has struggled for several weeks, but each of those weeks he was facing top-tier run defense in the NFL. But last week, Forte dropped 25 FanDuel NFL points on the Baltimore Ravens, 4th against the run this season. This week, with the Jets taking on the Browns, ranked 31st in the NFL against the run, Forte should have a fantastic day on a very reasonable $7,300 salary. He’s a great combo with one of the top five projected point options.
With Doug Martin and Charles Sim each going down with an injury, Jacquizz Rodgers ($6,600 / 15.1) has been a pleasant surprise the past two weeks, yielding 12 and 16 points. The Bucs are taking on yet another bad run defense this week, the Oakland Raiders (28th in the NFL), so Rodgers should continue to roll on a very reasonable $6,600 salary.
Next: Most Value - RB
Most Value – RB
Even with C.J. Anderson in the Broncos lineup, Denver Broncos Rookie Devontae Booker ($5,600 / 13.8) has made a strong push into a shared role as the lead running back for the Broncos. Anderson and Booker, for the most part, shared the field last week. Booker ended the game with 12 points against the Texans, in what was supposedly a back-up role.
This week, Devontae and the Broncos are home against the San Diego Chargers. Joey Bosa and the Chargers defense has been player better lately, and aren’t giving up many rushing yards. However, the Chargers are 27th in the NFL giving up 9 rushing touchdowns. Booker should find the end zone this week. Also, booker is a solid pass-catcher out of the backfield and the Chargers have struggled against the pass. This is a tremendous value option for week 8 at RB.
To recap, Ezekiel Elliott and David Johnson are always top three options, with Bell on a bye they’re top two this week. But Spencer Ware and Christine Michael may challenge them for the top spot. Matt Forte is your best affordable option, and Devontae Booker is a fantastic value at running back for week 8. Good Luck!