NFL DFS Bargain Bin: Week 7 Sunday Slates
NFL DFS Bargain Bin: Week 7 Sunday Slates Running Backs
Joshua Kelley, LAC vs. JAX ($5,100-DK/$6,200-FD)
Kelley’s backfield mate Austin Ekeler remains sidelined in Week 7 with a hamstring injury, while fellow complementary back Justin Jackson was limited in practice to open the week Wednesday due to a knee injury. Kelley did struggle for running room against the Saints in the Chargers’ Week 5 overtime loss before their bye, but the rookie has already proven to be a solid receiver out of the backfield in addition to his work on the ground and draws a Week 7 matchup that could be conducive to a breakout of sorts.
The Jaguars have essentially been a sieve through both the ground and air all season, and they’ll check into this contest allowing the second-most DK (31.7) and tied for fifth-most FD (27.7) points per game surrendered to RBs. In addition to giving up 4.4 RB yards per carry, they’re also tied with several teams for second-most rushing TDs given up to the position (7), and they’ve yielded a 36-255-2 line through the air to backs as well. Kelley’s usage has been somewhat spotty at times, but he’s averaging a solid 14.2 touches per game and already has 12 red-zone rushes through five games, including four inside the five-yard line.
Latavius Murray, NO vs. CAR ($4,800-DK/$5,300-FD)
Naturally, plenty of DFS focus will be on Murray’s backfield mate Alvin Kamara in this favorable matchup, but the elite back is unsurprisingly much more expensive to roster than Murray. Meanwhile, the veteran Murray makes for an interesting cost-saving pivot in larger-field tournaments, and he’ll check into Sunday’s contest against Carolina’s vulnerable run defense with three double-digit carry totals over his first five games. Carolina is tied with the Texans for most rushing TDs allowed to running backs (eight), and the Panthers are also giving up an elevated 4.8 RB yards per carry, including a bottom-10 figure in second-level yards per carry (1.4).
Murray comes in with an impressive 92.3 percent positive run rate and 12 red-zone touches through five games, and he’s also in good position to exploit the Panthers’ weaknesses in preventing receiving production from running backs. Through six games, Carolina has allowed the most receptions (47) and third-most receiving yards (327) to the position, while Murray is a solid receiver out of the backfield when given the opportunity.