DFS NFL RB Coach: Week 10

Here is the Week 10 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 – The best fantasy back in the league vs. one of the worst run defenses of all time.  There is nothing else to say.  He is expensive but will be hard to fade.  Every statistical category says play him.

Ezekiel Elliott – He could have done even more damage last week but the game was well in hand.  This week is an interesting one as Elliot takes on a very weak Pittsburgh defense.  The Cowboys will try to slow down the high-powered Steeler offense by running the ball and controlling the clock.  The game flow could work against Elliot if Pittsburgh can get their offense going early as they seem to do at home.  Dallas is 3^rd in run blocking going up against the 24^th ranked run defense per profootballfocus which will make how the game starts very important.

Le'Veon Bell – It is crazy to think that Bell has 0 TD’s this season. Bell has been productive despite the lack of TD’s and he touches the ball way too much not to find the endzone soon. Bell does have at least 5 catches in each game which makes him far more valuable in full point PPR formats.  The Cowboys defense looks decent from a basic numbers standpoint but if you look deeper the rankings are not as good.  Dallas is 14^th in DVOA per football outsiders in overall defense and 26^th in run defense per PFF.

Melvin Gordon – He continues to be productive every week and at this point it is hard to be a doubter.  The most impressive thing is that he Is getting stronger as the game goes on.   Miami’s run defense is giving up 4.6 yards per carry which is 7^th worst in the league.  The run blocking rating is not good for San Diego at 28^th but the volume has been massive.  Gordon is averaging 24.6 touches per game and has scored 11 TD’s.  Miami defense has improved over the last few weeks so it will be interesting to see how two improving teams fare vs each other.

Jay Ajayi – The new and improved running game in Miami has been impressive.  Ajayi has 529 rushing yards over his last 3 games with 4 TD’s.  The Dolphins have employed 6 linemen to get the running game going and it has worked wonders.  San Diego has struggled with running backs in the passing game which is not something Ajayi has done much of.  I would look more towards in Ajayi in GPP’s than cash games. 

Mid-Level Options

Devonta Freeman – He was not able to do deliver last week but if Coleman is out again then he is very much in play.   Philadelphia does have the #1 ranked defense per Football Outsiders but the struggling offense has put pressure on the defense.  The Falcons are 7^th in run blocking while the Eagles weakness is run defense where they sit 23^rd per PFF. 

Spencer Ware–  The running back in Kansas City did not work out so well last week with Chancandrick West not living up to expectations.  Ware is expected back this week as well as Alex Smith at quarterback.  The change in quarterback was probably something that should have been looked at more last week in why West might struggle.  For some reason the Chiefs threw the ball a ton even with a lead the entire game and Foles did not dump off the ball to the running back as much as Smith usually does.  The price on FanDuel is far more attractive for Ware as he is priced to close to the other top options on Draftkings.

Jonathan Stewart – The Panthers have been a bit of a mess this season but Stewart when healthy continues to get consistent touches.  He is averaging 18 carries per game in the four full games he has appeared in with 4 TD’s.  Stewart has also seen more goal line looks this season with Cam Newton taking a pounding on a regular basis.  This is not a guy I usually target but the lack of other cheaper options has him making the cut.

Low Cost Options

Darren Sproles –  The terrible coach Doug Pederson has declared Sproles as the #1 RB in Philadelphia.  I don’t think he can last getting heavy touches but this week lacks any other cheap RB options.  Sproles has 36 touches over the last two weeks which puts him in play.  Atlanta’s defense sits at 24^th per football outsides in DVOA and 17^th in run defense per PFF.  Hopefully other value opens up as we get closer to Sunday.