Top Week Sixteen Running Backs
@RJ_Kasper December 26
First, I just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for reading our weekly positional breakdowns. I hope they are improving your ROI.
Doug Martin Vs Chi ($6600) – Is the narrative real? That’s the question. His line has come out and said they are set on getting Martin the rushing title this year. That doesn’t mean he’ll break out for 200 yards in this game, but does seem to bode well for his carries etc. All that aside, he still is in a plush matchup and makes a really safe play. Alshon won’t make it in this contest, which I think leaves the Bears playing from behind. Get a lead with Mike Evans and pound Doug Martin til 0:00 is the recipe in my mind.
Deangelo Williams @ Bal ($6500) – Last time the Steelers faced Bal it was with Bell. This time it’s Williams. Deangelo is a great pivot off the Pit passing game; and a very sharp play. On Thursday Antonio Brown was 43% owned. That’s insane. Forcing me to fade him in most LU at his $9300 price tag. What better way to fade than with Williams. Bal defense naturally funnels towards the pass, which makes Brown and Bryant the better plays, but makes Williams the GPP play. I have no doubt that all of the Steelers will be good plays here, including Williams despite the matchup on paper.
David Johnson Vs GB ($5800) – David Johnson is a beast. He is a 3 down back and I love him this week. I don’t project him for a 50 burger again, but now we’ve seen his ceiling. I think this game will be more about him catching passes out of the back field and staying in to block. I like this game for dump offs and still a shot at 100 yards rushing. For my 2nd week in a row he is my favorite play. GB is 22nd against the run setting DJ up nicely. Don’t fear Andre Ellington, he lost his job to Old Man Chris Johnson. DJ is the guy and Ellington will have less than 5 touches in this game (I bet).
Denard Robinson @ NO ($5400) – Yeldon is doubtful, which means DRob is going to be lead back again. He is strong in the pass game and has explosive ability to break a long play, which makes him exciting to roster. His price tag is a little high for a backup, but I am confident his floor is high against this awful Saints D. I don’t project him highly for a rush TD, but do think he could get one in pass game.
James White @ NYJ ($4700) – James White is the back to have in NE this week. They’ll have a tough time running, which means they will pass, pass, pass against NY. That bodes well to White who is their pass back. He caught 7 balls for 73 yards last week and had a long TD called back. I love his upside and am not afraid to roster him in cash this week, though it may be for the risk neutral folk.
Adrian Peterson Vs NYG ($7300) – I accidentally skipped AP. Giants have no OBJ and a bad run D in a prime time game on the road. I think Min will ride a lead with AP in this game for sure. Seems almost too predictable, and the NFL never is, but it makes the most sense. I am project AP for 25+ carries if he is truly healthy. He burned people last week, which may keep his ownership down, making him a nice option in cash and GPP.
Bilal Powell Vs NE ($3900) – Powell is one of my favorite backs on the slate and not just because he is cheap. I think NE looks at this game as a must win and will come out with a heavy pass attack. This will force NY to abandon the run (so long as NE scores) and get Powell in the backfield. I used him last week as a sneaky GPP option and love him this week for the same.
Doug Martin Vs Chi ($6600) – Is the narrative real? That’s the question. His line has come out and said they are set on getting Martin the rushing title this year. That doesn’t mean he’ll break out for 200 yards in this game, but does seem to bode well for his carries etc. All that aside, he still is in a plush matchup and makes a really safe play. Alshon won’t make it in this contest, which I think leaves the Bears playing from behind. Get a lead with Mike Evans and pound Doug Martin til 0:00 is the recipe in my mind.
Deangelo Williams @ Bal ($6500) – Last time the Steelers faced Bal it was with Bell. This time it’s Williams. Deangelo is a great pivot off the Pit passing game; and a very sharp play. On Thursday Antonio Brown was 43% owned. That’s insane. Forcing me to fade him in most LU at his $9300 price tag. What better way to fade than with Williams. Bal defense naturally funnels towards the pass, which makes Brown and Bryant the better plays, but makes Williams the GPP play. I have no doubt that all of the Steelers will be good plays here, including Williams despite the matchup on paper.
David Johnson Vs GB ($5800) – David Johnson is a beast. He is a 3 down back and I love him this week. I don’t project him for a 50 burger again, but now we’ve seen his ceiling. I think this game will be more about him catching passes out of the back field and staying in to block. I like this game for dump offs and still a shot at 100 yards rushing. For my 2nd week in a row he is my favorite play. GB is 22nd against the run setting DJ up nicely. Don’t fear Andre Ellington, he lost his job to Old Man Chris Johnson. DJ is the guy and Ellington will have less than 5 touches in this game (I bet).
Denard Robinson @ NO ($5400) – Yeldon is doubtful, which means DRob is going to be lead back again. He is strong in the pass game and has explosive ability to break a long play, which makes him exciting to roster. His price tag is a little high for a backup, but I am confident his floor is high against this awful Saints D. I don’t project him highly for a rush TD, but do think he could get one in pass game.
James White @ NYJ ($4700) – James White is the back to have in NE this week. They’ll have a tough time running, which means they will pass, pass, pass against NY. That bodes well to White who is their pass back. He caught 7 balls for 73 yards last week and had a long TD called back. I love his upside and am not afraid to roster him in cash this week, though it may be for the risk neutral folk.
Adrian Peterson Vs NYG ($7300) – I accidentally skipped AP. Giants have no OBJ and a bad run D in a prime time game on the road. I think Min will ride a lead with AP in this game for sure. Seems almost too predictable, and the NFL never is, but it makes the most sense. I am project AP for 25+ carries if he is truly healthy. He burned people last week, which may keep his ownership down, making him a nice option in cash and GPP.
Bilal Powell Vs NE ($3900) – Powell is one of my favorite backs on the slate and not just because he is cheap. I think NE looks at this game as a must win and will come out with a heavy pass attack. This will force NY to abandon the run (so long as NE scores) and get Powell in the backfield. I used him last week as a sneaky GPP option and love him this week for the same.