What Week 2 tells us about RBs and Week 3 DFS salaries

Week 2 for the running back position was fairly quiet when you compare it to Week 1. After 12 backs scored over 20 DKFP in Week 1, only six did so as we await the results of Monday Night Football. We’ll take a look at two running backs for Week 2, how their salaries changed for Week 3, and how they performed last week.

Alvin Kamara ($8,000) vs. Seattle Seahawks

Kamara was one of the biggest busts for Week 2, scoring 7 DKFP with an $8,200 salary. He had a healthy amount of carries with 13 but could only take them for 45 yards, averaging 3.4 YPC. He was barely used in the receiving game, as he was targeted three times while making one catch for 15 yards. If you went back and looked at the last time Kamara scored less than 10 DKFP, you’d have to turn all the way back to Week 5 in 2018 against Washington, when he had only 6.9 DKFP, carrying the ball only six times and catching three of his four targets.

Despite the disappointing game, Kamara only dropped $200 in salary for his matchup against the Seahawks in Week 2. The Seahawks have only allowed 105 rushing yards and one touchdown to opposing backs, which ranks them amongst the lowest in the league. With Drew Brees likely to be out of this game due to a thumb injury, the Saints could be looking to rely on their power back more than the normally do, especially with how Teddy Bridgewater looked in relief, completing 17/30 pass attempts for 165 yards. While the salary is still high, Kamara has proved he’s essentially matchup-proof, even if he tosses in the occasional dud.

Raheem Mostert ($4,700) vs. San Francisco 49ers

Mostert opened some eyes in Week 2 after scoring 24.1 DKFP despite a perceived split with Matt Breida. The carries were indeed split almost 50/50, with Breida carrying the ball 12 times for 121 yards and Mostert carrying it 13 times for 83 yards. Where Mostert made the difference was in the receiving game, catching 3-of-4 targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. With the performance, Mostert jumps $900 in salary ahead of their matchup against the Steelers.

While the performance was encouraging, he’ll really be put to the test in Week 3 against the Steelers. Thought of as one of the better run defenses in the league, the Steelers have not been able to stop the run thus far. They’ve allowed 220 rushing yards and 140 receiving yards, both of which are amongst the highest in the league. The receiving yards is intriguing, as running backs against the Steelers have been targeted the most with 22, which currently leads the league. They’ve turned this targets into 17 receptions while averaging 8.2 yards per catch. With a cheap price tag still on Mostert, he’ll be a very enticing option to help save at the RB position.

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