Derrick Henry ($7,500) was the clear winner in Week 6, not just amongst running backs, but all players, finishing first overall and racking up 43.4 DKFP. Kenyan Drake ($4,800) reminded us of what he did late last season with the Arizona Cardinals registering 31.4 DKFP in Dallas, second to only Henry. The Cowboys D/ST ($3,000) looks like a defense we should be attacking every week when given the opportunity.
Here are the running backs we should be targeting along with their opportunity projections this week.
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STUDS
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at Houston Texans, $7,200
The silver lining from last week was Jones saw similar usage with Davante Adams ($7,900) in the lineup. Jones racked up 20 routes, twice as many as Jamaal Williams ($4,000), and played on two-thirds of the snaps — both of which rank as the second-most in each category for Jones this season. The Packers just met a formidable defense last week and now get the Texans D/ST ($2,200) that allowed Derrick Henry to rush for over 200 yards. Even if we remove Henry’s monster game, the Texans would still be top three in total rushing yards given up to running backs.
Projections
Rushing: 17 attempts
Receiving: 5 Targets; 5 Receptions
Total: 22 Touches
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, $6,800
Like Jones, Hunt faced a daunting matchup in Week 6 in the Steelers D/ST ($3,500), who have given up the least amount of DKFP to running backs (16.5 per game) this year. The Bengals defense seems to be having some issues in the locker room, with players not happy about their lack of playing time; so getting a run-heavy offense like Cleveland isn’t exactly the best remedy to eradicate said issues. Before last week, Hunt was averaging 3.6 red zone rushes, ranking ninth amongst all running backs. Another option in this range is Chris Carson ($6,400), who should be a nice GPP pivot coming off a bye. Carson is a focal point of Seattle’s offense, and even though his snap share hasn’t eclipsed 57% over the previous two weeks, he’s getting in the end zone with six total touchdowns so far this season.
Projections
Rushing: 18 Attempts
Receiving: 4 Targets; 4 Receptions
Total: 22 Touches
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VALUES
Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, $4,900
When a potential starting running back is priced this low, it’s close to an automatic play, purely based on value. Jackson far out-played Joshua Kelly ($5,100) against a solid defense, recording 15 attempts, six targets and five receptions. Jackson and the entire Chargers team get a much easier test and are heavy favorites at home this week. It helps that the Jaguars D/ST ($2,600) should be without their stud linebacker Myles Jack. He re-aggravated his ankle injury and was among the best in PFF grades at his position this season. Jerrick McKinnon ($5,800) should also garner some interest. The New England Patriots just allowed Phillip Lindsay ($5,300) to rush for over 100 yards on 23 attempts, but this backfield may be too confusing to figure out with Jamycal Hasty ($4,200) firmly in the mix.
Projections
Rushing: 17 Attempts
Receiving: 4 Targets; 3 Receptions
Total: 20 Touches
Zach Moss, Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, $4,200
Moss finally got on the right side of his toe injury and was active last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Rostering Moss is less about his play last week — where he only saw five carries — andmore of an indictment on Devin Singletary ($5,800), who also underperformed, gaining just 78 total yards and zero touchdowns. Buffalo are heavy favorites and this could be the spot they get Moss more involved and closer to a 40% snap share rather than his 26% last week.
Projections
Rushing: 12 Attempts
Receiving: 3 Targets; 3 Receptions
Total: 15 Touches
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