You would deserve quite the pat on the back if you had Jeff Wilson Jr. and James Robinson as the top running backs in Week 7. Wilson always seems to make good on his opportunities, amassing three touchdowns last week before getting hurt. Robinson only trails Alvin Kamara in total points scored on DraftKings this season.
Week 8 has the Arizona Cardinals, Washington Football Team, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans on a bye. The Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants are not on the main slate.
Here are the running backs we should be targeting on DraftKings along with their opportunity projections this week.
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STUDS
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions, $6,600
Since his Week 2 breakout game, Taylor’s usage has been frustrating, averaging a measly 51 percent of the snaps and just under 13 carries per game. We hope that the Colts utilized their bye the same way their opponents did with D’Andre Swift ($5,300) - reassess and reevaluate how they are using, or in this case, underutilizing their talented rookie running back and give him more work. Week 6 was a good sign when Taylor recorded his highest snap count (which has increased weekly since Week 2), tied his season-high in routes (17) and grabbed four catches for 55 yards. The Lions give up the sixth most DKFP per game; this may be the launching point for Taylor’s ascent into weekly RB1 consideration rest of season. Derrick Henry ($8,000) is in a great spot this week against the Cincinnati Bengals, but make sure you’re ready to eat the chalk.
Projections
Rushing: 17 attempts
Receiving: 4 Targets; 3 Receptions
Total: 20 Touches
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns, $6,200
Jacobs should have a much easier time with the Browns this week, who’ve given up seven rushing touchdowns, tied for third-most in the league. Jacobs’ longest run is only 16 yards this season, but what he lacks in explosive runs he more than makes up in red zone attempts, averaging just under four per game. Over the previous three games, the Browns’ defense has given up an average of five red zone scoring attempts per game to their opponents. Teams elect to pass on the Browns, who rank 25th in rush DOVA, so the volume might not be there for Jacobs like we saw against Kansas City earlier this year. Still, we should expect most of the red zone scoring opportunities to go to Jacobs this week with how well he’s been in the red area.
Projections
Rushing: 16 Attempts
Receiving: 3 Targets; 2 Receptions
Total: 18 Touches
VALUES
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams, $5,200
Gaskin won’t fill the box score with a ton of carries, ranking 19th in attempts per game, and the Rams aren’t a team where you rack up a ton of rushes, only giving up 20 a game. We’re always looking for volume we can ‘predict’ in this range, and one thing’s for sure, Gaskin has been great in the passing game, averaging 4.5 catches per contest and ranking ninth in targets, which is so valuable in PPR. The Dolphins may be leaning on their second-year running back more than usual with Tua Tagovailoa ($5,600) making his first NFL start - it’s best if Tua stays away from Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey as much as possible this week.
Projections
Rushing: 13 Attempts
Receiving: 6 Targets; 5 Receptions
Total: 18 Touches
Le’Veon Bell, Kansas City Chiefs vs. New York Jets, $4,600
The revenge narrative will be potent in this game, and we should be reasonably sure the Chiefs will give Bell ample opportunities to score in this game. Revenge-game aside, both Bell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($6,500) had a near-even split in snaps through three quarters last week, with the rookie recording 18 and Bell recording 17. Bell also received two red zone attempts, which should increase in this game. CEH is also a solid GPP pivot off the Jonathan Taylor and Bell chalk.
Projections
Rushing: 11 Attempts
Receiving: 4 Targets; 4 Receptions
Total: 15 Touches
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