This report will provide NFL DFS running back options for the Week Two 13-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: Alvin Kamara (NOS) ($8700 FD|$8200 DK)
Kamara only saw two red zone snaps in Week One but still ran for 97 yards on 13 attempts against the Texans. He also reeled in seven receptions for 72 yards and no touchdowns. Outside of a 30-yard touchdown run, Latavius Murray didn’t really cut into Kamara’s workload. The Rams were not good against the run last year and it seems as if nothing has changed. The Rams allowed CMC a massive 128 yards rushing on 19 attempts. He also scored two touchdowns and had 10 receptions for 81 yards. Cam Newton was hampered in Week One so that may attribute to McCaffrey’s huge workload, but Kamara is probably the most similar to CMC in regards to how he is used in the offense.
NFL DFS Running Back: Saquon Barkley (NYG) ($9200 FD|$9200 DK)
Like I said last week, I feel like I have to talk about Barkley on any slate that he’s on. He faces the Bills in Week Two after rushing for 120 yards on 11 carries and four receptions for 19 yards in week one against the highly touted Cowboy’s defense. He gets a presumably easier matchup this week against the Bills, who held Le’veon Bell to 3.5 yards per carry. In 2018, Buffalo ranked in the top half of the league in terms of run defense but still allowed an average of 113 yards per game. This game will be closer for the Giants (backed by -2 spread) so I fully expect Barkley to have more usage in this week two matchup.
NFL DFS Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) ($8500 FD|$8700 DK)
Elliott saw a significant reduction to his role in Week One against the Giants. That was something to be expected after his holdout while he awaited a new contract with the Cowboy’s and the fact that Dak Prescott came out with a four TD performance. I do not believe he will be back to his full share this week as he saw 53% of snaps and carried the ball 13 times for 53 yards and a TD in Week One. He has a hefty tag to pay for a perceived capped ceiling, but faces a Redskins defense that just lost their most valuable asset for the next two weeks and gave up 123 rushing yards to the Eagles in Week One. If the game script falls in Elliott’s favor and Dak is inefficient in any way, Zeke should be the one to benefit.
Mid Tier
NFL DFS Running Back: Derrick Henry (TEN) ($7000 FD|$5800 DK)
The Titans defense had the perfect game plan in Week One. They frustrated Baker Mayfield with constant pressure, never allowing him in to get into rhythm and force his throws. Derrick Henry benefited from this and rushed 19 times for 84 yards. He also had one reception for 75 yards and a TD. Henry has a 5.7 yard per carry average against the Colts and the games that he didn’t he was either hurt or in his rookie season. He is facing a Colts defense that just gave up 154 all-purpose yards to Austin Ekeler. No, Henry does not present the same PPR upside as Ekeler does, but I feel he always gets overlooked because of his size. Make no mistake, Henry is extremely fast and powerful and will be a huge part of this Tennessee offense this season.
NFL DFS Running Back: Leonard Fournette (JAC) ($6900 FD|$6300 DK)
The Houston Texans were a Top Five defense against the run last season but surrendered nearly 150 yards and over seven yards per carry on the ground against the Saints on Monday Night Football. Clowney was a big part of what made the Houston defense special and now that piece is gone. Fournette saw an 88% snap share but only carried the ball 13 times and reeled in four receptions for 96 all-purpose yards in Week One, mostly due in part to the fact that the Chiefs did what the Chiefs do and pulled ahead early, forcing Jacksonville to throw the ball. We still get Fournette at a pretty fair price considering the upside and Gardner Minshew will likely not be able to replicate 22 for 25 and two TD’s. I expect Leonard to live up to the expectations in Week Two.
NFL DFS Running Back: Josh Jacobs (OAK) ($6500 FD|$4700 DK)
I guess Jon Gruden wasn’t kidding when he said how much he liked his rookie running back. Josh Jacobs saw 23 carries for 85 rushing yards and two TDs. Eight of those attempts were in the red zone. With limited resources on offense I have to imagine Jacobs is going to see a hefty workload week in and week out. K.C. appeared “okay” against the run against the Jags in Week One but the way the game played out had the Jaguars throwing the ball a ton. I still have no faith in this Chiefs run defense, as they were one of the worst last season. Jacobs is hard to fade at $4700 on DK considering his upside and usage.
NFL DFS Running Back: Austin Ekeler (LAC) ($7500 FD|$6100 DK)
Justin Jackson virtually had no effect on Ekeler in Week One. Ekeler saw an 81% snap share and scampered in three TDs in an impressive performance where he rushed for 58 yards on 12 carries and had 96 yards on six receptions. He seems to be in line for a consistent and hefty workload with his shiftiness and the fact that he provides an easy outlet for Rivers. I’m not a fan of his price on FD at $7500 but I can swallow $6100 on DK.
Honorable mention: Kerryon Johnson ($6600 FD|$5700 DK), Sony Michel ($6800 FD|$6200 DK), Mark Ingram ($7500 FD|$6000 DK)
Ingram is dealing with sore ribs going into week two. I don’t think this is a big deterrent but I do question the Ravens and their thoughts on preserving their All-Pro running back for more meaningful games down the stretch (Playing at K.C. Week Three). Maybe look to Gus Edward’s ($5200 FD|$3200 DK) as a very low owned pivot. He saw the second highest red zone touch count in week one, as well as the highest snap count on the team.
Low Tier
NFL DFS Running Back: Devin Singletary (BUF) ($5700 FD|$4200 DK)
Devin Singletary carried a 75% snap share in Week One. His ability in run blocking schemes is unmatched so he will always see more snaps than veteran Frank Gore. Singletary was efficient in his first start, carrying four times for 70 yards and tacked on five receptions for 28 yards. Singletary is going to see more work as the season progresses so he remains in my player pool for Week Two against a very weak front seven in New York.
NFL DFS Running Back: Duke Johnson Jr. (HOU) ($6100 FD|$5000 DK)
Duke was solid in his first start as a Houston Texan. He amassed 57 rushing yards on nine carries and 33 yards on four receptions. My only real concern is Carlos Hyde cutting into the workload but Duke still saw a 71% snap share in week one.
Punts: Matt Breida ($5600 FD|$5200 DK), Malcolm Brown ($5500 FD|$4100 DK), Chris Thompson ($5300 FD|$3900 DK).
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