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DraftKings NFL: Week 4 Lineup

By Joe Romano

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Jarvis Landry #80 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after throwing for a two-point conversion during the third quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 20: Jarvis Landry #80 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after throwing for a two-point conversion during the third quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 23: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball in overtime against Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 23: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints carries the ball in overtime against Duke Riley #42 of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants $9600

This may be the last week we see Alvin Kamara atop DraftKings pricing with Mark Ingram set to return for Week 5. Kamara is building off a strong rookie campaign with his sophomore season in a bigger role. He’s only a few points behind Todd Gurley for the top scoring running back. Unfortunately he faces a Giants defense that has let up the fifth fewest yards rushing in the NFL. Kamara will always be a strong choice but this is a tough matchup on the road for an offense that has traditionally sputtered in these spots.

Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers vs San Francisco 49ers $8300

Just behind Kamara in total points scored for running backs and pricing for DraftKings this week is Melvin Gordon. He’s been off to a strong start to the 2018 season as a focal point for the Chargers offense. Even against a bad matchup in the RAms a week ago, Gordon found the endzone and managed 80 yards. This week the Chargers play the 49ers defense that has allowed the seventh fewest yards in the NFL. His workload will keep his floor low and the gameflow is looking to play in his favor. Being $1600 cheaper than Kamara actually makes him the wiser play if you’re looking to shell out big money on a top tier running back.

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants vs New Orleans Saints $8100

The leader in the clubhouse for Offensive Rookie of the Year is the Giants second overall pick Saquon Barkley. With New York committing to giving him the ball, Barkley is looking better every single week. However this is another tough matchup for a top flight running back with the Giants playing the Saints this week. New Orleans has allowed the third fewest rushing yards in the league. The Giants offensive line is not great and this could be a week where Barkley’s biggest value comes through the air.

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys vs Detroit Lions $7700

The Dallas Cowboys lost a tough game with many in the fan base turning on this offensive coaching staff. A lot of that centers on quarterback Dak Prescott but there are plenty online that feel like Ezekiel Elliott is not getting enough work. That could change this week with the Detroit Lions coming to town. Detroit has allowed the most rushing yards in the league by a whopping 80 yard margin. Elliott and the Cowboys can get back to their run first mentality this week with Elliott receiving all the work he can handle.

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets $7000

Leonard Fournette is still battling a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week’s game even after practicing the majority of the week. This week he is listed as day-to-day but looks to be in line to play. Fournette has only played in the Jaguars opening game and was underwhelming. The Jets are not overly impressive as a run defense. The biggest deterrent to Fournette could be the loss of two offensive lineman this week. If T.J. Yeldon is out, that increases the chance of a big Fournette game based on volume alone.

Value Running Backs

Carlos Hyde, Cleveland Browns @ Oakland Raiders $5500

The Cleveland Browns are coming off a win, yes a win. Two touchdowns in that win were scored by running back Carlos Hyde. Despite entering the season in a time share with Duke Johnson and Nick Chubb, Hyde has been the go-to back for this offense when it counts. Hyde gets a weak Oakland defense with Baker Mayfield inserted at quarterback. Oakland is a bottom ten defense in every metric and Hyde’s goal line work make him an intriguing play this week as the 13th priced running back.

Lamar Miller, Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts $5000

Three spots behind Hyde is the Texan’s Lamar Miller. Miller is one of the few backs in the league that is outright “the guy” for his team. Despite a porous offensive line Miller’s been decently effective given the Texans 0-3 start. Miller gets a Colts defense that ranks tenth in points allowed to running backs this season. If Houston’s offense gets back on track, Miller is in line for scoring potential and an open defense with attention going towards the passing attack.

Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys $4400

For the first time in five years the Detroit Lions had a 100 yard rusher last week. Rookie running back Kerryon Johnson broke the NFL’s oddest standing record. Detroit has been searching for a back like Johnson that opens up the offense since Matthew Stafford arrived. Johnson is that guy and gets a favorable matchup with the Dallas Cowboys this week. Johnson is averaging nearly 5 yards per touch, putting him on pace with top-tier running backs. With his 100 yard game in the books, Detroit should give him the ball even more this week. This may be the last week we see Johnson at such a cheap price.