DFS NFL RB Coach: Week 12

While the data table is an all-in-one, I separated the Thursday players from the rest of the field in my recommendations with a special three-game slate.

Thursday Options

Le'Veon Bell is averaging 25.9 touches per game which includes 7.6 receptions per game.  The Steelers have been a solid run blocking group sitting at 14^th in run blocking and will face the unit that ranks 19^th in run defense along with 30^th in overall DVOA.  The Colts are also last in rushing TD’s allowed.  Bell is expensive but has a very good chance of paying off his price tag.

Ezekiel Elliott also has a great match-up.  The Redskins are 30^th in yards per carry allowed and are rated as the 21^st rated run defense.  There DVOA sits at 22^nd so overall defense is weak.  The Cowboys excel at run blocking where they are rated 2^nd overall.  Elliott leads the league in the rushing and should have a great game in a great match-up.

Theo Riddick has been a PPR machine this season.  He won’t get much done in the running game but is averaging 5.4 receptions per game so a better play on Draftkings.  Minnesota defense has shown signs of breaking lately and Lions always play tough at home on Thanksgiving. 

Robert Kelley had a monster game last week with 137 yards and 3 TD’s.  The Cowboys defense at first glance appears to be decent but the numbers tell a different story.  Dallas normally has game flow in their favor in most games this season but Washington could run the ball if they stay close.  The Redskins are 5^th in run blocking and will face a defense that just average in yard per carry allowed at 20^th, 28^th in run defense and 25^th in DVOA.

Jerick McKinnon is probably a player I should know better than to write-up.  He has proven to do very little this season since Adrian Peterson was injured.  There a few things going his way.  The Lions are 16^th in yards per carry allowed, 29^th in run defense and 32^nd in overall defensive DVOA.  McKinnon could be worth a cheap punt option on Draftkings with his near minimum price.

Sunday Options

High End Options

David Johnson has become even more important as the season goes on with the struggles of Carson Palmer.  Johnson has racked up 27 catches in his last 4 games and takes an Atlanta defense that given up 81 receptions to running backs.  He has 12 TD’s this season and runs behind a solid run blocking unit at 9^th per PFF.  The Falcons run defense is 23^rd in run defense and 30^th overall in DVOA.  Johnson should be in for another big game.

Jay Ajayi gets his shot at the horrific 49ers run defense.  He has been quiet the last two weeks and the injuries to the offensive line has not helped.  San Francisco is 32^nd in yards per carry allowed, 28^th in TD’s allowed, 31^st in run blocking rating per PFF and 26^th in overall defensive DVOA.  This could be another 200-yard performance out of Ajayi.

DeMarco Murray gets the injury riddled Bears.  The run defense for Chicago has been solid at 6^th in run defense and 19^th in overall DVOA but injuries could catch up to them.  The game flow  will be greatly in favor of the Titans.  The Bears offense is shambles and will struggle to move the ball with no offensive line and no QB.  Tennessee’s run blocking should be take control as they are 3^rd per PFF.  Murray is averaging 22.9 touches per game and has scored 11 TD’s this season.

Melvin Gordon continues to defy me.  He is averaging 25 touches per game and has scored 11 TD’s.  Gordon is coming off the bye so he should feel refreshed.  The run blocking has not been good at 28^th per PFF but Houston sits at 25^th in run defense.  They are also giving up 23^rd in yards per carry and 23^rd in TD’s allowed.  The pass defense for the Texans is good so the way to attack them is the running game.

Mid-Level Options

Carlos Hyde is never owned and is capable of a monster game.  He looked good last week now that he had more time to recover from his shoulder injury.  The 49ers play at the fastest pace in the league so the volume should be around 20 touches.  Miami is 22^nd in yards per carry allowed.  Hyde is not a cash game play but there is 25-point fantasy potential here for GPP’s.

Rashad Jennings has started to get the running game going for the Giants.  He has averaged 22 touches for 119 total yards per game over the last two games.  Jennings gets the winless Browns who are 29^th in yards per carry allowed and 28^th in rushing TD’s allowed.  Cleveland also sits at 27^th in run defense per PFF and 30^th in overall defensive DVOA.

Lamar Miller got things going last week vs Oakland.  He takes on the Chargers who have given up the most rushing TD’s in the league.  San Diego is 19^th in rush defense per PFF.  The Texans are 5-0 at home where Miller is averaging 7 more fantasy points per game.  Brock Osweiler has seen plenty of growing pains this season so Houston will lean more on the running game to protect him.

Thomas Rawls is the last man standing right now in Seattle.  He is running angry and had 17 touches for 78 total yards after C.J. Prosise went down with an injury.  The run blocking for Seattle quite honestly sucks at 32^nd per PFF but they get the worst run defense per PFF.  Tampa’s defense is also 24^th in yards per attempt and 18^th in TD’s allowed.

Low Cost Options

Wendell Smallwood could be in line for the start for Philadelphia.  Ryan Mathews has a knee injury and Darren Sproles has a broken rib.  Smallwood had 16 touches for 79 total yards last week after the injuries.  The Eagles run blocking sits at 11^th in run blocking so they are capable of running the ball.  Sproles may play and with this game Monday night we won’t get many updates.  This game being played on Monday may be doing us all a favor so we don’t have to deal with Doug Pederson and his terrible coaching decisions.