Top Five Fantasy Football Running Backs - Week 7
One thrifty option joins some pricey backs in my top five fantasy football running backs this week.
5- Le’Veon Bell (PIT), $13,750 vs (HOU)
Bell’s lack of touchdowns (just one this year) is troubling, but his weekly yardage output continues to make him one of the best backs in the league. In fact, his yardage output places him second with 793 yards from scrimmage through six games this season. He ranks second to DeMarco Murray in rushing yards with 542, ranks third in receptions among running backs with 28, and is also third in receiving yards among running backs with 251 yards. That’s the work of a back that makes sense for cracking the top five fantasy football running backs this week. His value gets a jolt facing a Texans run defense that Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks 25th, and Football Outsiders (FO) ranks 24th. There are a couple of pricier backs I like more, but Bell should be in your DFS roster rotation this week.
4- Ben Tate (CLE), $10,450 @ (JAX)
Tate would rank higher if not for the presence of Isaiah Crowell (foreshadowing for later in the week?). Even with Crowell in the backfield touches mix, Tate had a decided 25 carries to 11 carries, and 42 snaps to 17 snaps played edge over the rookie runner in week six and remains the lead back. Beyond his volume of touches, Tate’s stats are more average-good than great, but that’s okay with his hefty work load and a soft matchup. The former Texan has eclipsed 20 rush attempts in consecutive games and the Jaguars are bad against the run. PFF ranks the Jaguars 26th against the run and FO grades them out as the 14th best run defense. With the Browns serving as a 5.5 point favorite currently according to Vegas Insider, the Browns should have a chance to rely on their run heavy offensive game plan, and that’s great for Tate.
3- Andre Williams (NYG), $8,900 @ (DAL)
The Giants offense was delivered a huge blow with Victor Cruz suffering a season ending injury, but that could result in a greater reliance on the running game and heavier usage from Williams. With Rashad Jennings hurt, the rookie runner is going to be the lead runner, and last week he received 16 carries compared to just five for Peyton Hillis. Williams shortcomings in the passing game did result in Hillis playing two more snaps than Williams, but the the Boston College product should be in line for a huge carry total this week against a Cowboys defense that is dreadful against the run. The Cowboys rank 31st at PFF in run defense and 30th against the run at FO. For a big bruising back, Williams’ 1.9 YCo/Att leaves something to be desired, and his lack of pass catching skills cap his upside, but his price tag, soft matchup, and projected carry total make him one of this week’s top five fantasy football running backs.
2- Arian Foster (HOU), $14,100 @ (PIT)
Count me as one of the skeptics of what Foster would be capable of after missing much of last season due to injury. He’s answered the bell, and returned to bell cow status for the Texans. His 106 carries are the third most among running backs, as is his 280 yards rushing, and his 2.6 YCo/Att ranks tied for 12th among backs that have played 25% of their team’s snaps. He’s been leaned on heavily, and he’s been very reliable week to week. Foster has also added fantasy value as a receiver, as his 131 yards receiving are the 14th most among running backs, and his 16 receptions are tied for the 13th most among running backs. My favorite stat in Foster’s profile this year is his 25 missed tackles forced running, the second most among running backs, sandwiched between Murray and Marshawn Lynch. The Steelers defense was pitiful stopping the run against the Browns in week five, and that should come as little surprise since PFF grades them out as 28th defending the run this year and FO ranks them 19th stopping the run.
1- Giovani Bernard (CIN), $14,050 @ (IND)
Open up the wallet or pocket book, and spend on Bernard, he’s worth the coin. Gamers would be wise to roster my top ranked back among the week seven top five fantasy football running backs on many of their rosters. Bernard is a yardage threat on the ground, ranks 10th in rushing yards with 384, and through the air, ranks eighth among running backs with 178 yards receiving, and the result is the eighth most yards from scrimmage according to Pro-Football-Reference. Despite the fact he’s not a big bowling ball of a back, Bernard ranks tied for second among running backs that have received 25% or more of their team’s rush attempts with 2.98 Yco/Att. Not only has Bernard been a beast in the yardage department, even with the presence of bigger rookie runner Jeremy Hill, Bernard is tied for third with four rushing touchdowns. It gets better, too. Bernard has to be licking his chops seeing the Colts on the schedule. They rank 30th in run defense according to PFF, 31st against the run according to FO, and FO ranks them 31st defending running backs in the passing game. Bernard is in store for a monster point total this week, and that’s why he ranks as my favorite of this week’s top five fantasy football running backs.
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