Running Backs
Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams vs Green Bay Packers – $9800
No surprise here. Todd Gurley is outscoring some teams (Buffalo) by himself. Gurley is a front-runner for MVP with Patrick Mahomes. The do-it-all back has been outstanding all season. This weekend he plays a Packers defense that has been middle of the road against opposing running backs. That does not matter with Gurley, he will put up numbers regardless of opponents. Of course there will be a slow game coming, it just will not be this week.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants vs Washington Redskins – $8800
The Giants were hoping they were getting Gurley-lite when they drafted Saquon Barkley this year. He is making a case for just that with his play this season. Barkley is coming off of his worst performance of the fantasy season against Atlanta. Now he plays a Redskins defense that shut down Ezekiel Elliott a week ago. Washington is strong against the run and this is going to be a tough matchup. Luckily Barkley’s role in the passing game will save anyone who decides to put him in their lineup.
Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns – $8100
James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns – $7500
DraftKings will need to hedge against themselves like this weekly until Le’Veon Bell returns. For now he is not in Pittsburgh and James Conner will continue to be the lead back. That is good news for anyone choosing to roster the cheaper player. Conner is averaging over 4.0 yards per carry and has been excellent in every facet of Pittsburgh’s offense. Evan Silva of Rotoworld points out that this may be a big week for the former third-round pick. Cleveland has been exposed over the last two weeks on the ground (thanks in large part to how often they are on the field). Pittsburgh at home is an entirely different unit and that should continue this week.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – $7300
The Cincinnati Bengals are back from a bye week and that is good news for the fantasy community. Once an afterthought as a team, the Bengals now have four viable players on offense. Joe Mixon may be the most consistent of the bunch. The former second round pick is having an excellent start to the season as the Bengals work horse back. Mixon is a threat in the passing game as well, only increasing his value. This week they play a Tampa Bay defense under a new defensive coordinator. For how back the Buccaneers defense has been against the pass, they’ve been surprisingly adequate against running backs. Mixon is still a safe bet with that aforementioned passing game role.
Value Running Backs
Kerryon Johnson, Detriot Lions vs Seattle Seahawks $5300
Coming off his best game in his young career, rookie Kerryon Johnson is settling into the lead role in Detroit. Johnson and fellow rookie Frank Ragnow have gave the Lions something they’ve been searching for throughout Matthew Stafford’s career, a competent interior running game The next game at home against Seattle will be another test for that style. The Seahawks rank about the middle of the league in points allowed to opposing running backs but a lot of that has to do with the four touchdowns more than the yardage. Johnson, with the threat of the pass helping, could see another big performance.
Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts @ Oakland Raiders $5400
Right around the same price point as Johnson is surprising second year standout Marlon Mack. A sleeper pick by many a year ago, Mack is reportedly healthy and taking over the running duties for the Colts. Last week he gashed a typically strong Bills run defense for 126 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. This week he gets a Raiders defense that ranks in the bottom ten of the league in points allowed to running backs. The only hesitance shown in this is the vultured targets given to Nyheim Hines. Game script should play in Mack’s favor though.
Philip Lindsay, Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs – $5200
There are certain players that negative game scripts suit them better. This week that is no more true than with Philip Lindsay of the Denver Broncos. With backfield mate Royce Freeman expected to miss this game, the undrafted free agent rookie has a chance to shine. With Denver likely forced to throw often, Lindsay’s involvement in the passing game could play big dividends. The Chiefs defense is not a strong unit and their linebackers have struggled to cover running backs all season.