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Best daily fantasy football running back plays under $6,000 in Week 11

Three running backs who will well out perform their cheap salaries for your daily fantasy lineup this week.

Brian Hill of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown as Eli Apple of the New Orleans Saints and A.J. Klein defends during the second half of a game at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 10, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

I’m embarrassed to say it, but last week I finally found the perfect way to construct a daily fantasy roster. Normally, I’ve tried to include one or two big name, big budget guys and then fill in around them with good, moderately priced guys. What I did last week that was very successful for me was spend big at running back and wide receiver, and then find cheaper options at quarterback, flex, tight end and other running back, wide receiver positions.

Basically, instead of going expensive and moderate, I went EXPENSIVE and cheap. And it worked! You just need to make sure your cheap guys don’t completely bust on you. That’s what I’m here for.

Here are three running backs who are cheaper—all under $6,000—who will out perform their current salaries this week. (Salaries vs DraftKings.)

Brian Hill (@ Panthers) - $4,800

I need DraftKings to explain to me how Hill is this cheap. I mean, I don’t really since that would mean that he’d be more expensive for me and every single lineup of mine this weekend since that’s where he’ll be. Hill filled in for an injured Devonta Freeman last week and saw 20 carries for 61 yards against a STOUT Saints run defense and caught a touchdown. He’s now facing off against a Panthers defense that’s allowed the most rushing touchdowns to backs the last four weeks. And when I say most, I don’t think you realize just how “most” I mean. In four weeks the Panthers have allowed EIGHT touchdowns on the ground. The teams at number two have allowed four. Hill is finding the end zone this week.

J.D. McKissic (vs Cowboys) - $4,600

It’s been hard to predict the Lions backfield ever since Kerryon Johnson went on IR, but with Ty Johnson also banged up, McKissic could be in for the starting role Sunday against the Cowboys. The Cowboys have been solid stopping the run this year—allowing the 11th fewest rushing yards to backs—but they’ve been picked apart by pass catchers out of the backfield, giving up the fifth most receiving yards. McKissic does his damage both on the ground and through the air, though it’s primarily as a pass catcher as he’s seen at least three targets in the last five weeks and coming off a game which he saw seven.

Kalen Ballage (vs Bills) - $4,300

Ugh it pains me to include a Dolphin on this list because the faith I have in the Dolphins offense to do anything is little to none. That being said, the Bills pass defense is still very good and could force Miami to rely on their ground game to get the ball moving and easing up the pressure on gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw the ball 50 times (even though I’m sure he’d love nothing more). What works doubly well for Miami and Kalen Ballage is no team has given up more rushing yards the last four weeks than Buffalo. I would expect Ballage to see a heavy workload and be able to rattle off a few good runs to give a solid fantasy performance this week.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is petermcdrogers) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.