Dalvin Cook ($9,500) has proven to be the best running back in fantasy football up to this point with another top performance last week against the Dallas Cowboys. Cook totaled 30 or more touches for the second straight week, while Derrick Henry ($7,900) was not too far behind with 29 touches against the Baltimore Ravens. Henry finished second to Cook in DKFP last week but looks poised to be one of the best running backs in fantasy football for the rest of the season with his upcoming schedule. The Titans’ running back gets the Indianapolis Colts this week, which is probably why his price is below $8,000. Ezekiel Elliott didn’t do much on the Thanksgiving Slate but was able to grab 22.4 DKFP on 23 touches last week. Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($6,400) and Melvin Gordon III ($5,200) both scored two rushing touchdowns, which helped them get into the top five last week.
The Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Washington Football Team, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles are not on the main DraftKings NFL slate.
Here are the running backs we should be targeting on DraftKings along with their opportunity projections this week.
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STUDS
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings v. Carolina Panthers, $9,500
Has Cook reached “2019 Christian McCaffrey” status? Not quite, but he’s close. Cook doesn’t get the same passing game work, but with back-to-back weeks of 30 or more touches, his usage is tough to fade, even at this price. Cook gets a Carolina Panthers defense that gave up 192 rushing yards to Ronald Jones II ($6,100) and 28.8 DKFP in Week 10 as well as a top 20 performance to Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Week 9. Cook should be in line for another significant workload and flirt with the top spot again this week.
Projections:
Rushing: 24 attempts
Receiving: 5 Targets; 4 Receptions
Total: 28 Touches
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars, $7,100
Kareem Hunt ($5,600) out-snapped Chubb last week by six percentage points, but it was Chubb who out-touched Hunt 20 to 13 last week. Chubb hasn’t lost a step since returning from his injury, recording two games of 19 or more touches and averaging 6.15 yards per carry. Chubb will get another plus matchup at Jacksonville this week, a defense that has given up the sixth-most DKFP to opposing backs this season.
Projections
Rushing: 21 Attempts
Receiving: 2 Targets; 1 Receptions
Total: 22 Touches
VALUES
Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills, $5,800
Since joining the Chargers, Ballage has recorded close to a 60 percent snap rate and has averaged 16 carries per game. Ballage has also been involved in the passing game over the last two weeks, with nine targets last week and six the week before. This game has one of the highest point totals on the main slate; Ballage could provide a nice pivot off the other chalk skill players in this matchup while still getting exposure to what should be a high-scoring game. The Bills have not defended the run well this season, ranking dead last in PFF’s run-defense grade. Ballage has been limited in practice throughout the week, so check his status leading up to Sunday.
Projections
Rushing: 15 Attempts
Receiving: 4 Targets; 4 Receptions
Total: 19 Touches
Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons v. Las Vegas Raiders, $4,000
Todd Gurley ($5,500) didn’t practice on Thursday and was not spotted at the early portion of Friday’s practice per reports, which would make way for Brian Hill to get an increased workload. Hill is more of a matchup play against the Raiders, who allow the fourth-most PPR points per game to opposing running backs this season. If Gurley is active, he’ll be the one to start and get the majority of carries, especially in the red zone.
Projections
Rushing: 13 Attempts
Receiving: 3 Targets; 2 Receptions
Total: 15 Touches
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