DFS NFL RB Coach: Week 1

Welcome to the 2016 DFS NFL Running Backs Coach. Week 1 can’t get here fast enough so let’s just get right to it!

High End Options

Todd Gurley – The Rams will have to rely heavily on Gurley with Case Keenum running the show at quarterback.  The good news is that they get the 49ers in Week 1 who have up the 4^th most rushing yards last year and the most TD’s.  San Francisco was 11^th in rushing yards per game and 12^th in yards per carry allowed in the pre-season so maybe there is some improvement.  The Rams were 4^th in preseason rushing yards and 3^rd in average yards per carry.  They finished 5^th and 7^th in those respective categories last season.

Ezekiel Elliot -  The Cowboys have the best offensive line in football and it is not even close.  They will able to run on anybody.  With Dak Prescott the new QB, I would expect Dallas will lean heavily on the running game.  Elliot looked good in his limited pre-season action so should see 20 touches if the game flow allows.  It is important to note that the Giants defense should be improved this season but not enough to slow down the Dallas running game. 

Devonta Freeman – He had 51 touches in just 2 games last year including 16 receptions vs the Bucs.  Tampa Bay only gave up 3.4 yards per carry last year so there is more value on Freeman on the full point PPR sites.  There is a chance that we will see more Tevin Coleman this year so would feel better using him on Draftkings vs FanDuel.

Mid-Level Options

LeSean McCoy – He didn’t have the TD’s that you would have like to see last season with just 5 but some of that was just a run of random bad luck.  McCoy has 235 touches in his 12 games last year so you know he will get plenty of touches which is great in his price point.  He is a solid pass catcher as well with 32 catches so even if game flow is an issue he can produce fantasy points.

DeAngelo Williams – He was 2^nd at RB position in 2015 in fantasy points per game.   The Pittsburgh running backs are always going to productive based on the system they run.  The Redskins struggled last season vs the run where they were 3^rd worst in yards per carry allowed and 7^th worst in yards allowed yards per game.  There was slight improvement this pre-season but they will not be a shutdown run defense. 

Latavius Murray- Oakland is expected to be involved in the highest projected scoring game.  The Raiders were 3^rd in preseason yards per carry and 8^th in rushing yards per game.  The Saints were the worst rush defense last season in yards per carry and 2^nd worst in yards per game.  I also expect the Raiders to have a better defense this season so playing with a lead should lead to more options for Murray.

DeMarco Murray- Tennessee has a revamped offense that was 2^nd in rushing yards per game and yards per carry this pre-season.  Minnesota was a middle of the road last year vs the run and this pre-season.  With Shaun Hill getting the start, the Vikings will struggle on offense which should lead to more chances in the running game for the Titans.

Ryan Mathews -  Cleveland was the 2^nd worst run defense in yards allowed in the preseason and 3^rd worst in 2015.  Philadelphia will bring the Andy Reid offense back to town via Doug Pederson which has been highly productive for the running back position.  The running back position has produced a Top 10 RB in 18 of the 19 seasons in this offense.  The running game was not productive this pre-season which means he will be lightly owned. 

Lamar Miller -  Houston is going to destroy the Bears based on what we have seen from the Bears this pre-season.  The Texans offensive line has taken some hits but it should be enough for Miller to show what he can do for his new team.  The Bears aren’t nearly the push over in run defense they were a few years ago but there should be enough chances to do some work on the ground.

Low Cost Options

Carlos Hyde – San Francisco had the running game going strong in the pre-season, averaging 184.2 yards per game on 5.7 yards per carry.  No team will play at a faster pace that the 49ers with Chip Kelly now in charge, as evidenced by his days in Philadelphia.  The Rams were middle of the road last season vs the run as well as this pre-season.

Spencer Ware -  He will be highest owned running back if Jamaal Charles does indeed miss Week 1.  San Diego was the worst in the league in TD’s allowed and average yards per carry allowed this pre-season.  This is after finishing 2^nd worst in rushing average yards per carry allowed last year and 6^th worst in yards allowed.  Kansas City was 6^th in yards per carry last year and 3^rd in rushing yard per game.  He is a must play if Charles sits.

Here’s a look at some of last season’s numbers and, of course, everyone’s prices on FanDuel, Draft Kings and Fantasy Aces. Players are listed in order of most to least expensive based on FanDuel prices.