FanDuel NFL: Running Backs Week 9 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 Cardinals, Bears, Bengals, Texans, Patriots, and Redskins. 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 the Dallas Cowboys playing the Cleveland Browns, there’s little surprise Ezekiel Elliott ($9,200 / 20.3) is the top projected FanDuel NFL running back for week 9. Elliott, while a rookie, is 4th among all running backs with 18.63 points per game. That’s an outstanding feat for any rookie after his first seven straight career games. The Browns are the 2nd, only to the San Francisco 49ers, worst run defense in the NFL. The Browns have already given up ten rushing touchdowns this season, 27th in the NFL. Elliott will be heavily owned, but you should at least have one (or several) lineups with Elliott as your RB anchor.
The Pittsburgh Steels and Le’Veon Bell ($8,700 / 19.5) are back from a bye. Unfortunately, the Steelers are playing the Baltimore Ravens who are currently a top five run defense. Bell will likely still have a decent game, because he’s a unique talent, but there’s plenty of risk with this option. If you’re going to fade Elliott, Bell is worth a consideration.
The Tennessee Titans are playing a unique San Diego Chargers run defense. The Chargers are 6th in the NFL giving up only 86 rushing yards per game. However, they’re also inexplicably 2nd to last in rushing touchdowns defended, giving up 11 already this season. So while the Chargers aren’t giving up many yards, when teams get into the Red Zone, they basically let them walk in. So, DeMarco Murray ($8,100 / 16.8) is still a solid option for week 9. He’s more affordable than Bell and Elliott, and could be a good combination with Booker, who we visit below.
Melvin Gordon ($7,800 / 15.8) and the Chargers are facing Murray and the Titans. Like the Chargers, the Titans are a top 10 run defense. However, the Titans have only giving up three rushing touchdowns this season. A stingy run defense and massive wall before the end zone means Gordon isn’t worth plugging into your lineup this week.
Ironically, last week Devontae Booker ($7,000 / 15.5) was my ‘value’ play. Clearly that worked out. This week, Booker is 5th in projected FanDuel NFL points for running backs. Booker is on a role after C.J. Anderson went down with an injury. This week, the Broncos play an Oakland Raiders defense ranked 28th in the NFL. Booker is in for a big day and with a $7,000 salary, he’s one again a great value. This week, Booker a top 5 value!
Next: Best Affordable - RB
Best Affordable – RB
Charcandrick West ($5,600 / 12.2) is now the lead back for the Kansas City Chiefs, for week 9. With Spencer Ware in Concussion protocol and Jamaal Charles out for the season, Andy Reid confirmed West is getting the bulk of the carries for the Chiefs.
This week, the Chiefs face a Jacksonville Jaguars run defense ranked 27th in the NFL, giving up 124.7 rushing yards per game. The Jags are also 25th in the NFL giving up 9 rushing touchdowns already this year. This is a great for DFS owners to plug West into their lineups on a very reasonable $5,600 salary.
Next: Most Value - RB
Most Value – RB
With Wendall Smallwood fumbling the football, and Ryan Mathews struggling to stay on the field (and also with fumbling issues), the Eagles turned to Darren Sproles ($4,800 / 11) often last week against the Dallas Cowboys. Anyone who watched the game knows you could make a good argument that Sproles is now the Eagles starting running back.
Unfortunately, Mathews vultured a rushing touchdown last week from Sproles. With a touchdown, he would’ve had an outstanding FanDuel NFL point day. Still Darren will likely continue to get the bulk of the carries this week. The New York Giants are a mediocre defense, so there’s risk with this play. However, Sproles is a special talent. Now that the Eagles are finally dishing him the football often, expect a big day from Darren this week.
To recap, Ezekiel Elliott is an obvious top option this week, but among the top five, Devontae Booker is a fantastic value. Charcandrick West is a very affordable good option. And Darren Sproles is a fantastic value for week 9. Good Luck!