Football season is back, and so is daily fantasy.
Every week, we’ll be breaking down each position, giving you the information you’ll need to select the best daily fantasy team you can on Sunday.
Today, it’s the running backs (all prices courtesy of DraftKings):
DraftKings’ Top-10 running backs for Week 2:
- David Johnson ($7,600)
- Todd Gurley ($7,500)
- Ezekiel Elliott ($7,300)
- Lamar Miller ($7,200)
- DeAngelo Williams ($7,100)
- Adrian Peterson ($7,000)
- C.J. Anderson ($6,800)
- Jamaal Charles ($6,300)
- Mark Ingram ($6,200)
- Spencer Ware ($6,100)
Best Value: Ezekiel Elliott ($7,300)
On Monday night, the Washington Redskins gave up 143 yards and two touchdowns to DeAngelo Williams. This week, they’ll get Ezekiel Elliot and the Dallas Cowboys offensive line.
If I’m grabbing any high-priced player on Sunday, it’s him.
Elliott may have had a tough Week 1, but the Cowboys still gave him 20 carries. Expect him to get that and then some in Week 2.
Most Overpriced: Todd Gurley ($7,500)
I love Todd Gurley. The dude’s a super talent. But … I hate the Los Angeles Rams. There’s a good chance that they’re the worst team in the NFL.
We have incredibly high expectations for Gurley, and he’s earned them, but he averaged 2.8 yards per carry against the San Francisco 49ers, and if it wasn’t for one 10-yard rush, he would have finished at 2.3 yards per carry.
That’s not good, and I put most of the blame on his surrounding talent, but I don’t think it’s going to get any better against the Seattle Seahawks defense this week.
Maybe Gurley breaks a couple 10-plus yard runs — he’s fully capable of doing that — but I would be shocked if he had a huge fantasy day, and when you’re spending $7,500 on a running back, that’s what you need.
Injury Corner: Jamaal Charles ($6,300)
Jamaal Charles’ availability for Week 2 is still up in the air, and while he was working with the Chiefs’ scout team on Wednesday, it seems to be more likely than not that he’ll sit out the second consecutive week. If that’s the case, the prospects of Spencer Ware change considerably.
Individually, both Charles and Ware can be fantasy monsters, but if they both spend time in Kansas City’s backfield on Sunday, it’s hard to say what’s going to happen; we’ve hardly seen it before.
Personally, if Charles is out, I’d make a play for Ware, even against the Texans defense. If Charles is in, though, I’d call this one a stay-away.
Broncos Spotlight: C.J. Anderson ($6,800)
You ready for a big day from C.J. Anderson? Because you’re about to get one.
Anderson proved to me last Thursday that if he’s healthy, he’s one of the best backs in football. Even against one of the league’s best rushing defenses, he put up over 125 total yards and two touchdowns, while showing a level of speed and elusiveness we haven’t seen since 2014.
And, given that fantasy revolves around prognostication and bold predictions, here’s mine: If C.J. Anderson plays all 16 games, he’ll lead the NFL in rushing.
This week, the Colts defense could go a long way towards helping me look smart. Indianapolis gave up 5.7 yards per attempt to the Lions’ top two running backs last week, and I’d expect much of the same from C.J. Anderson.
Week 1 has come and gone, but the fun is only just getting started. Make sure to sign up for DraftKing’s 100,000 free contest!
Spots are filling up fast, so enter now!
