NFL DFS bargain bin: Week 17 early slate
NFL DFS bargain bin: Week 17 Early Slate Running Backs
Joe Mixon, CIN vs. CLE
(DraftKings- $7,200/FanDuel-$7,300/FantasyDraft-$13,100/Yahoo-$25)
Mixon comes into this contest just 25 yards short of 1,000 for the season, a feat made possible by his stellar second half of the season. Before struggling to gain 50 yards against the Dolphins in Week 16 in a game during which he was battling an illness, Mixon had 146- and 136-yard tallies over his previous two games, respectively. The former came against this same Browns squad back in Week 14.
Cleveland continues to struggle mightily against the run, especially on the road. The Browns have allowed the second-most rushing yards per road contest (156.7), and they’ve yield an absurd and NFL-high 216.0 yards per game overall in their last three contests. The Browns also allow the sixth-most line yards (4.7) and fourth-most running back yards (4.9) per carry, furthering Mixon’s case at very reasonable prices across the industry.
Latavius Murray, NO at CAR
(DraftKings- $5,600/FanDuel-$5,400/FantasyDraft-$10,600/Yahoo-$17)
Murray always carries some risk due to the uncertainty regarding his touches when Alvin Kamara is healthy. However, the combination of what should be low ownership, his salaries, and his matchup all make him worthy of consideration for tournaments in Week 17. Murray has a steady complementary role through both the ground and air and has the speed to break off chunk plays on occasion. He’s also logged 29 red-zone touches this season, including 13 inside the 10-yard line.
Sunday, he’ll have the benefit of facing a Panthers team that’s looked completely disinterested since long-time coach Ron Rivera was shown the door. Carolina’s latest debacle was a 38-6 thrashing at the hands of the Colts in Week 16, and they’ll check into Sunday allowing the third-most rushing yards per road contest (148.6). Carolina also ranks dead last in running back yards per carry allowed per carry (5.4) and has allowed the most second-level yards (1.5) and second-most open-field yards (1.5) per carry for the season as well. Moreover, no team has allowed more rushing touchdowns to running backs (25) than the Panthers, furthering Murray’s case.