Two running back sleepers for wild card DFS

The wild card round is here and that means we get to do a deep dive into this weekend’s four matchups without drowning. Our first step into the water will be to look for some value at the running back position. There are a few studs to pay up for but getting them all will be nearly impossible and there are quite a few value plays at the position this week. Don’t forget the overvalued running backs as well.

Travis Homer, Seattle Seahawks ($5,300)

The Eagles run defense has shown holes this season, including to the Seahawks, who put up the most rushing yards of any team against the Eagles this season. Of course, that game was a whole different set of running backs than they have now, but now they have a little more value, as Travis Homer played well as the lead back in his first chance last week. Yes, Marshawn Lynch might start to see more work but he’s not going to get a full workload just two weeks off the street and Homer was the no-doubt receiving back against the 49ers, catching all five of his targets for 30 yards while he rushed 10 times for 62 yards.

Homer’s price isn’t quite as low as I’d like, but he’s now had back-to-back good receptions games, with six and five since Chris Carson’s injury and those receptions are bankable in the full PPR scoring of DraftKings.

Carlos Hyde, Houston Texans ($5,100)

If the game is close, the Texans will get Hyde plenty of work. He’s no lock, as he does have down games when he doesn’t find the end zone or get a big workload, but on average, he’s getting enough work to have value each week. This week he gets a Bills defense that shuts down passing games while allowing some wiggle room on the ground.

Hyde has only dipped below 10 carries once this season and topped 14 carries nine times. This game has the lowest over/under at 41.5 points with the Texans favored by -3. I expect we’ll see the Texans slow this game down with Hyde and go up top to DeAndre Hopkins when needed.

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