Those who read the article last week hopefully cashed with Derrick Henry ($9,500) and Jonathan Taylor ($7,200) finishing as the RB1 and RB2. Henry exploded for 39.2 DKFP with my touch projections exactly on target. Miles Sanders ($6,900), Kareem Hunt and David Montgomery ($7,000) rounded out the top five from Week 14.
With two games on Saturday, this week’s Sunday DraftKings main NFL slate is a little smaller. The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders play on Thursday Night with the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers playing on Saturday. The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants play Sunday night, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals playing on Monday. All of these games are NOT on the main slate - RB options will be limited.
Here are the running backs we should be targeting on DraftKings along with their opportunity projections this week.
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STUDS
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens, $7,100
With just 11 games on the main slate, we should expect both Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor to be chalk this week. It’s a fool’s errand to talk anyone off from playing either; both are viable cash games plays in great matchups. Robinson should be the pivot in this range, mainly if his roster percentage stays relatively low due to his matchup against the Ravens. Most still view Baltimore’s defense as a stay-away spot, but lately, it hasn’t been the case. Derrick Henry finished as the RB2 in Week 11, and both Browns backs finished in the top eight last week. Robinson’s volume is and has been fantasy-gold all season. He saw 100 percent of the snaps in Week 12 and 90 percent in Week 13. Last week’s 55 percent snap share was more game script, and Robinson still finished inside the top 20 at the RB position. A questionable illegal formation penalty was why his 15-plus yard touchdown was nullified, or it would’ve been a productive day. Nonetheless, Robinson should be in store for another significant workload, especially in the passing game where he’s second to Alvin Kamara in yards after the catch per reception per PFF.com.
Projections
Rushing: 16 attempts
Receiving: 7 Targets; 6 Receptions
Total: 22 Touches
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals, $6,900
Sticking with more contrarian plays, the Eagles’ running back could still have a smaller roster percentage this week with most people deploying the “I need to see it a second-time” mentality. Most will choose running backs above Sanders, leaving him in a spot where he could go off. He proved capable of handling 81.8 percent of snaps and turning it into a stellar 32.6 DKFP outing against one of the league’s best run D’s. The threat of Jalen Hurts ($5,900) running will open up holes in this Arizona run defense, which ranks 18th so far this season.
Projections
Rushing: 14 Attempts
Receiving: 4 Targets; 3 Receptions
Total: 17 Touches
VALUES
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, $5,900
Are we FINALLY getting a two-person backfield in Baltimore? Better question - are we FINALLY giving the majority of carries to the best running back on the Ravens? It seems the answer is yes to both questions. Dobbins recorded a 61 percent snap share last week, with Gus Edwards ($4,400) being the second closest in snaps at 26 percent. The Ravens are double-digit home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook against a Jaguars team who gave up 212 rushing yards to Derrick Henry last week. Hopefully, this is the breakout game other rookies like Cam Akers ($6,600) and Jonathan Taylor have gotten this season.
Projections
Rushing: 17 Attempts
Receiving: 4 Targets; 4 Receptions
Total: 21 Touches
Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys, $5,100
Raheem Mostert’s availability is trending in the wrong direction, and it looks like he won’t be able to go this week. Mostert being down should translate into more work for Wilson going up against a Dallas defense that’s giving up the most yards before contact and ranks dead-last in rushing defense per pro-football-reference.com. Wilson saw 47 percent of the snaps last week and could be in line for a more significant workload. The last time Wilson saw over 13 carries this season, he rushed for 112 yards and three touchdowns, his third career game with multiple scores.
Projections
Rushing: 15 Attempts
Receiving: 3 Targets; 2 Receptions
Total: 17 Touches
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