DFS NFL RB Coach: Week 8

Here is the Week 7 Running Backs Coach with my recommendations first and some relevant data you should be keeping an eye on when doing your research and making lineup decisions.

High End Options

David Johnson – He is averaging 143.4 total yards per game on 26.3 touches per game & has 8 TD in 7 games this season.  Arizona is 9^th in the league in run blocking per PFF going up against the 15^th ranked run defense.   Carolina’s defense has been reeling as of late and now sits 21^st in DVOA in Football Outsiders latest rankings.  The Cardinals have started to lean on Johnson with the struggles of Carson Palmer which should set-up the best running back in fantasy football for another strong game.

DeMarco Murray – The Titans now sit 3^rd at run blocking and takes on a defense that sits at 12^th per PFF in run defense.  Jaguars are 11^th in DVOA so their overall defense has been decent.  The biggest issue for Jacksonville is the offense has struggled at times and they seem to be trailing most of the game which sets up nicely from a game glow standpoint.  Murray is averaging 117.8 total yards per game on 23.7 touches per game.  He has also racked up 7 TD’s this season.

Ezekiel Elliott – He is averaging 139.75 rushing yards per game over his last 4 thanks in part to the 4^th best run blocking unit in the league.  The Cowboys take on the Eagles who sit 18^th in run defense per PFF but do sit 1^st in DVOA.  Dallas will be able to run any defense in the league no matter how good as we saw two weeks ago against Green Bay who had the #1 ranked run defense.  The Eagles have struggled on offense as of late so it sets up nicely from a game flow standpoint for Elliot.  He is also due to pick some short yardage TD’s that have been stolen away by teammates the last few weeks.

Mid-Level Options

Devonta Freeman – It looks like we finally have some clarity in Atlanta with Tevin Coleman going down with a hamstring injury.  Freeman should be in-line with 20+ touches.  The Green Bay defense looks like a strong run defense but was burned in the one game they faced a real running threat.  Freeman runs behind the 7^th rated run blocking unit and he also excels in catching passes out of the backfield so he can contribute in multiple ways.

Spencer Ware – It appears that Jamaal Charles is dealing with more issues with his knee which leads Ware to be the main ball carrier once again.  Ware gets the benefit of facing the worst rated run defense in the league per PFF and a defense that is 31^st in DVOA.  The Colts are giving up 118.6 yards per game rushing as well.  The great thing about Ware is that he can rack up production by either running the ball or via the passing game.  Indianapolis has been exploited by just about everyone they faced.

Matt Forte – Cleveland gives up more rushing yards than any other team at 139.9 rushing yards per game.  The Jets don’t run block very well sitting at 29^th per PPF but the good news is that the Browns are 27^th per PFF in run defense.  They also sit at 30^th in DVOA.  Forte’s best games have come because of the volume of carries has been getting in certain games and I expect that to be the case once again this week.  Forte comes at a bit of a small discount than some others but has been hit and miss this season so would leave to GPP’s.

Jacquizz Rodgers – I am not sure I would every say Rodgers would be a recommended play three weeks in a row but amazing how fantasy football changes.  He has 56 carries for 255 yards rushing along with 7 receptions over his last two games.  Oakland’s run defense sits at 22^nd per PFF and 28^th in DVOA.  Oakland is also surrendering 128.3 yards per game on the ground so Rodgers should be able to rack up another solid game.

Lamar Miller – Most important thing is to keep an eye on his shoulder injury that caused him to miss some time last week during the game.  Miller has done well in quality match-ups but has struggled against tough defenses.  The good news this week is that he gets the 31^st rated run defense per PFF and 32^nd in DVOA.  Even with two light touch games, Miller has averaged 23.3 touches per game.

Low Cost Options

Matt Asiata – He could be in-line for most of the touches this week for Minnesota with Jerrick McKinnon battling an ankle injury.  The Bears have been a wreck as a team even though their defense sits at 13^th in rated run defense per PFF and 19^th overall in DVOA.  Asiata lacks much talent compared to most running backs but is effective at the goal-line.  The running game for the Vikings is set-up nicely from a game flow standpoint where Asiata could see 20+ touches.