Week 4 was our first experience with NFL scheduling changes due to COVID-19. Touchdowns were aplenty last week for running backs: seven of the top eight RBs in PPR scoring all recorded two rushing touchdowns, with Joe Mixon ($6,300) the only back to also record a receiving touchdown in that group.
Here are the running backs we should be targeting on DraftKings in Week 5 along with their opportunity projections this week.
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STUDS
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders, $6,800
The Chiefs’ rookie RB is in a great spot and is averaging just over 21 touches per game, including 3.2 red zone touches per game so far this season. The Raiders’ run defense has allowed a league-leading eight rushing touchdowns to opposing backfields. Another consideration in this price range for cash games is Kareem Hunt ($6,500) against the Indianapolis Colts. In GPPs, James Robinson ($6,700) has some appeal in what should be a shootout against the Houston Texans. The last time we saw Robinson playing from behind, he put up 31 DKFP.
Projections
Rushing: 22 attempts
Receiving: 5 Targets; 5 Receptions
Total: 27 Touches
Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, $6,400
The statement that Mike Davis is just “in the Christian McCaffrey role” doesn’t sum up nearly enough of how Davis is playing. Yes, his box scores read similar to CMC’s, but Davis, and the Carolina backfield, is a big part of the offensive plan each week. Davis’ opportunity share was 80 percent in Week 3 and 70 percent last week, which provides a usage-floor we can rely on until CMC comes back. Reggie Bonnafon ($4,200) saw 26.4 percent of the snaps last week, but it didn’t stop Davis from putting up his second straight 20-plus DKFP game with 21 total touches and six targets (23 total targets over last three weeks). The Falcons’ defense is the second-worst at defending receiving backs. The injury-riddled unit has given up the second-most targets and receptions and the third-most receiving yards through the first four weeks. CMC should be OUT at least one more week, which means Davis should be IN (our lineups).
Projections
Rushing: 14 Attempts
Receiving: 7 Targets; 7 Receptions
Total: 21 Touches
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VALUES
Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets, $5,700
Fantasy Football, am I right?! Drake was touted a ton in the offseason and has underwhelmed and disappointed until this point, especially in great matchups. The sentiment is at an all-time low with Drake, a perfect spot to take him in GPPs. Drake won’t be without risk, especially with how much Chase Edmonds ($4,700) plays in the passing game, but the Cardinals are touchdown favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook going up against a Joe Flacco ($4,800) led Jets team. Drake should still see most of the opportunities this week and hopefully get more involved in the passing game like last season with the Cardinals (4.5 targets/game since Week 10).
Paying down for Chase Edmonds isn’t a terrible play with the Jets’ defense being more formidable up the middle, but Todd Gurley ($5,700) would be my pivot in this price range. His usage doesn’t provide a floor like other backs in this range, but he’s got touchdown upside. Gurley has 19 attempts and four touchdowns in the red zone, which leads the league for running backs so far this season.
Projections
Rushing: 15 Attempts
Receiving: 5 Targets; 4 Receptions
Total: 19 Touches
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team vs. Los Angeles Rams, $5,000
The QB switch to Kyle Allen ($4,100) shouldn’t affect Gibson’s potential in the offense moving forward. His snaps increased to 48 percent last week, where he totaled 13 attempts (four in the red zone), got targeted on 36 percent of his routes and scored a touchdown. Gibson only ran 14 routes in a game where Dwayne Haskins threw 45 times, which isn’t a ton. Still, Washington OC Scott Turner should be more comfortable with Kyle Allen running the offense. Could Gibson be more involved in the passing game like Christian McCaffrey was when Allen was with the Panthers last season? That’s wishful thinking, but we should expect more routes for Gibson in what should be another game where the Washington Football Team is playing from behind.
Projections
Rushing: 13 Attempts
Receiving: 6 Targets; 6 Receptions
Total: 19 Touches
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