NFL DFS: Week Five Running Back Breakdown

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This report will provide NFL DFS running back options for the Week Five 12-game main slate. Running backs will be broken down into three tiers, high, mid, and low. I will also include punt plays.

High Tier

NFL DFS Running Back: Christian McCaffrey (CAR) ($9100 FD|$8700 DK)

The King keeps the top spot for RB’s once again at no surprise. Christian McCaffrey is leading the league in rush yards (411) and third best in the passing game (218). The Jaguars are allowing just under 100 rushing yards per game and have been extremely efficient defensively in the red zone. They are allowing opponents to score at a 46% clip which is top 10 in the league. Despite the Jags success on defense they still allow over four yards per carry and they haven’t faced a supreme talent like CMC this season. The Panthers will continue to rely heavily on their All-Pro running back.

NFL DFS Running Back: Dalvin Cook (MIN) ($8200 FD|$8400 DK)

Dalvin Cook struggled last week against a top defensive unit which can be attributed to the offenses inability to push the ball down field through the air. The Vikings get a far better matchup here against a Giants defense that has allowed an average of 110 yards per game on the ground. Once the Vikings are in the red zone they are scoring at a 70% clip. Dalvin Cook isn’t far behind CMC, he has rushed for 410 yards and 127 receiving yards. Cook should come in at high ownership in Week Five.

NFL DFS Running Back: Austin Ekeler (LAC) ($7200 FD|$6700 DK)

Melvin Gordon is back in the picture for the Chargers but it seems HC Anthony Lynn is in no rush to hand a big workload over to him for now. I can’t say I blame him, Austin Ekeler leads the league in receiving yards for all RB’s (270) and touchdowns (6). The Broncos have been terrible against the run. They allow the fourth most fantasy points to RB’s per game (29) and rank 30th in terms of yards per game (149). I won’t be overweight here just due to the situation but Ekeler is still a top fantasy option in Week Five.

NFL DFS Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) ($8800 FD|$8300 DK)

Zeke Elliott is back on the main slate this week and should be a big part of the Cowboys game plan. After a nice start to the season, the Packers defense has fallen back to reality. They are allowing over 140 rushing yards on the ground but have been very efficient defending the pass. Dallas offensive line of course ranks in the top five in league, they are allowing their RB’s to average over 4.60 yards per carry. Elliott is currently averaging 16 FPTS per game but i expect his best performance yet in Week Five.

Honorable Mention: Alvin Kamara (NOS) ($8200 FD|$8600)

Mid Tier

NFL DFS Running Back: David Johnson (ARI) ($6800 FD|$7500 DK)

If you read my Monday Night Football guide, and watched the game in Week Four, then you know all about the Bengals defense and their struggles against the run. The Bengals got smoked by James Conner who ended up with 125 all-purpose yards (83 through the air). David Johnson gets the same matchup in Week Five against a Bengals team coming off a short week. Johnson has 355 total yards (182 through the air) and is averaging over 18 FPTS per game. He will be heavily relied on once again in Week Five as the Cardinals rank bottom five in the league in offensive pass protection (10% sack rate).

NFL DFS Running Back: Leonard Fournette (JAX) ($6900 FD|$6400 DK)

Leonard Fournette is coming off of a monster 225 yard game on the ground against the Broncos and will face a Panthers defense that also struggles defending the run. They are allowing over 4.70 yards per carry to RB’s and Fournette is averaging nearly six yards per touch. It is noteworthy that Jacksonville has struggled in run blocking but given Carolina’s struggles in the trenches I have to give the Jaguars the edge here. Fournette is now third in the league with 404 rushing yards, big thanks to his performance in Denver.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Jones (GBP) ($6800 FD|$5900), Joe Mixon ($7100 FD|$6100 DK).

Low Tier

NFL DFS Running Back: James White (NEP) ($6200 FD|$5000 DK)

It is a bit difficult to pin point where Bill Belichick is going to go with the football, especially with his three man duo of Michel, White, and Burkhead. Sony Michel is also viable here but I tend to favor White, especially on DK with the PPR upside. The Redskins just allowed Wayne Gallman Jr. over 100 all-purpose yards and two TD’s. They rank bottom five in the league, allowing over 147 yards per game on the ground.

NFL DFS Running Back: David Montgomery (CHI) ($5700 FD|$5200 DK)

I’m not particularly crazy about this play but this week is pretty thin in terms of value at the position. Chicago’s offensive line has not been great with run blocking, they are only averaging 3.1 yard per carry. Montgomery has yet to top 100 yards in a game and will face an Oakland defense that is right in the middle of the pack, allowing over 100 yards per game on the ground.

Punts: Devonta Freeman ($6200 FD|$5300 DK)

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