DFS NFL RB Coach: Week 5

Here is the Week 4 RB 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

Le’Veon Bell – He returned last week with 24 touches and 150 total yards from his suspension.  It is a tough match-up from a rushing stand point vs. rush defense for the Jets which is 8^th best according to Pro Football Focus.   New York also has a DVOA on defense of 28^th in the league according to Football Outsiders so they are generous via the air.   Bell is almost match-up proof since he can contribute so much in the passing game.  He lined up quite a bit as a receiver vs. the Chiefs so would expect that again this week.  He could very easily catch 7 or 8 passes this week. 

David Johnson – He has 520 total yards and 3 TD’s in his first 4 games.  The best thing about Johnson is that he is not game flow dependent.  The Cardinals will likely be stuck starting Drew Stanton this week.  Ezekiel Elliott had 157 total yards and a TD last week against the 49ers who are without their star LB Navarro Bowman.  Arizona has been middle of the road in run blocking at 13^th.  San Francisco sits at 18^th in run defense but this game sets up as a big game for Johnson.

Ezekiel Elliott – The Cowboys are 3^rd in the NFL in run blocking according to PFF which should be a no surprise considering the strength of the team is the offensive line.  Dallas may also get Tyron Smith back which is just going to make them better after missing two weeks.  The Bengals are middle of the pack in run defense at 14^th.  Elliott has racked up 278 rushing yards in his last two games.  His numbers would be even better if not for a few unlucky situations of losing out on short yardage TD’s.  The only negative thing for Elliott is that he has not been involved in the passing game with just 6 receptions on the season. 

Mid-Level Options

C.J. Anderson – Denver is 2^nd in the league in run blocking according to PFF takes on the 27^th ranked run defense.  The run game has not been as successful as the Broncos would like since they have faced some tough run defenses but playing Atlanta should get them right.  Denver will look to control the clock.  Anderson does have 325 total yards and 4 TD’s.  He will look too take advantage of the Falcons 31^st ranked defense using DVOA according to Football Outsiders.

DeMarco Murray –  The Titans have the best run blocking in the league according to PFF and it has shown so far with how productive Murray has been.  He has 496 total yards and 5 TD’s this season.  Miami has the 9^th best run defense according to PFF and 16^th overall defense according to Football Outsiders DVOA.  The great thing about Murray that even he does get slowed down rushing the ball, he has 19 catches on the season so will be game flow proof.

LeSean McCoy -  Buffalo hasn’t been very good in run blocking sitting at 21^st according to PFF and the Rams are 12^th best against the run.  The reason why you use McCoy is that he is focal point of the offense.  He has 384 total yards & 4 TD’s on the season.  McCoy is averaging 21 touches per game and is useful no matter the game flow with his ability to catch the ball of the backfield.

Low Cost Options

Jerick McKinnon -  Minnesota has struggled with the run blocking this season where they sit at 29^th according to PFF but finally started to show some improvement last week.  The Texans are 28^th worst vs the run according to PFF so things should continue to improve this week.  McKinnon had 21 touches with 95 total yards & TD on Monday night compared to Matt Asiata who had just 8 touches for 18 yards & a TD so it seems McKinnon is the preferred option.   The only negative is that Asiata is likely going to get goal-line work.   

Jordan Howard-  The Bears have struggled this season as a team but run blocking has not been an issue.  They 6^th best according to PFF and take on the worst run defense in the league according to PFF in the Colts.  Indy’s overall defense sits at 30^th according to Football Outsiders.  Howard racked up 132 total yards in his first NFL start and Coach John Fox gave him rave reviews.  He is a staple in cash lineups this week.