🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Running Back Targets for DFS and Playoff Leagues: Conference Championships

For all the crazy finishes, dramatic moments, and early upsets, we're left with a 1-2 seed matchup in the NFC and 1-3 in the AFC. Unless the Jags pull off the ultimate upset by knocking off the defending champs this weekend, this year's playoffs may go down as many expected from the outset. The same can't be said in the fantasy realm, as we've had some huge games by surprising players. With just four teams alive for the trophy, let's see who can get you the most value at the RB position.

This article will aim to highlight playoff league targets and DFS plays for running backs, players that you should consider targeting for your various fantasy football leagues and lineups. Running backs will be split up into three tiers - from most desirable, to most desperate.

Instead of the usual FAAB amount, I will list DraftKings prices for those looking for value DFS plays beyond the obvious.

Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge is back with a massive $500,000 grand prize and $1.35 million total prize pool, paying down to 800th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 10 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The 7,250 entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 10th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $500,000! Sign Up Now!

 

Frontrunners for Conference Championships - Running Back Targets and DFS

Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars ($7200 DK)

The most obvious call of this weekend is somehow not the highest-priced. Fournette has a reasonable salary, considering he scored three times last week and will be run into the ground as the Jags try desperately to pull off another upset. Fournette's volume and scoring upside alone makes him the most valuable RB of all this week, but the fact he isn't going to break the rest of your lineup makes him a no-brainer. If you are looking for differentiation in a tournament, do it with your second RB slot, because missing out on Fournette could cost you just as it would have last week if you didn't play him.

Jerick McKinnon, Minnesota Vikings ($5100 DK)

In the Vikings' first playoff game of 2017, Latavius Murray was the preferred play and proved to be the featured back as expected. Murray outrushed McKinnon 19-8 and outgained him both on the ground (50-34) and even through the air (17-6). It's time to flip the (game) script, however, as McKinnon might be forced into more action against the Eagles. While Minnesota owns the best overall run defense in the NFL, Philadelphia actually allowed the fewest rushing yards to RB and was the only team to hold opposing running backs under 1,000 total yards (949). They clamped down on several star runners throughout the year, so Murray will find tougher sledding. McKinnon's role in the passing game makes him more valuable, as he not only brings a higher floor with him, but could get more touches if the Vikings have to shift toward the passing game more than they'd like. The Eagles also gave up five receiving touchdowns to running backs, which is tied for second-most among all teams. While others are chasing Murray's stats from last week, you can save a few hundred dollars on DraftKings and get the better point producer in this matchup.

James White, New England Patriots ($4900 DK)

After scoring two touchdowns against the Titans, I'm not going to stop loving White. You probably saw the graphic about White scoring five of the last six playoff touchdowns for New England early in the game, which is no fluke. Tom Brady will go to his trusted outlet receiver early and often. Rex Burkhead is allegedly working toward being ready for the AFC championship game, which could put a dent in White's usage, but I'd wager White still out-touches and outscores him.

 

In The Running - Conference Championships Running Backs and DFS Targets

T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars ($4200 DK)

There are two somewhat plausible scenarios that could occur in which Yeldon puts up double-digit fantasy points in the AFC conference championship game. 1) The Patriots have a significant lead in the fourth quarter and Yeldon becomes the beneficiary of garbage time. 2) Leonard Fournette re-aggravates his ankle early on and Yeldon is forced into action. Chris Ivory has been a healthy scratch and Corey Grant is simply a special teams/change-of-pace back who won't touch the ball often. Yeldon is the RB2 for a team that will rely on the running game and short passes, both of which could favor Yeldon. It doesn't hurt that the Patriots allowed the second-most receiving yards to RB in 2017. He's not made for cash games, as his workload is extremely unpredictable, but if you want to save some bucks in a week with very few good options, I prefer Yeldon to someone like Burkhead, who's even less reliable.

LeGarrette Blount, Philadelphia Eagles ($3700 DK)

It was Jay Ajayi taking the lead role against Atlanta, rushing 15 times and seeing five targets. While he nearly racked up 100 total yards, it was Blount who scored a touchdown. The Vikings are far tougher against the run, so it may close the gap further between these two Philly runners. Neither one is particularly desirable, but Blount is $1500 cheaper and presents the best value among all Eagles. Yes, he's still completely touchdown-dependent, but there are only so many yards to be gained on the ground in this matchup between the two best run defenses in the league. Take the TD potential if possible.

 

Dark Horses - Conference Championships Running Backs and DFS Targets

Tommy Bohanon, Jacksonville Jaguars ($3000 DK)

You probably won't have to go this low down the depth chart to find a value play, as there aren't too many high-priced players in other spots eating up your budget this week. It all comes down to choosing the right flex play when you're facing a minuscule slate like this. Bohanon is only in the game on short yardage and goal-line situations, but you could view him as a poor man's LeGarrette Blount.

Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots ($3000 DK)

In the category of "that helped absolutely no one," Brandon Bolden scored a touchdown in the divisional round and took four carries for 27 yards. That's four more carries than anyone would have expected. If Mike Gillislee is inactive again, Bolden could at least see the field, although I'd avoid him if Rex Burkhead is confirmed to be playing. Chasing a surprise touchdown from the previous week and hoping that lightning will strike twice is not a viable game strategy, especially in the playoffs.

 

More Conference Championship Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

George Kittle

Suffers Torn Achilles on Sunday
Aaron Holiday

is Moving into Starting Five
Aaron Gordon

is Available on Sunday
Christian Braun

is Downgraded to Out
Jamal Murray

is Unavailable on Sunday
Omarion Hampton

Active for Wild-Card Round Against Patriots
Kristaps Porzingis

Won't Play on Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

is Available to Play on Sunday
Christian Braun

Downgraded to Questionable on Sunday
Tyler Herro

to Suit Up on Sunday
Norman Powell

Ruled Out for Sunday's Game
Victor Wembanyama

Cleared for Sunday
George Kittle

Ruled Out After Non-Contact Achilles Injury
Cole Perfetti

Contributes Two Assists in Sunday's Win
Carl Grundstrom

Misses Sunday's Practice
Jrue Holiday

Cleared to Suit Up Versus New York
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Request Interview With Ejiro Evero
Josh Hart

Returning on Sunday Night
Travis Konecny

Hurt at Sunday's Practice
Thatcher Demko

Lands on Injured Reserve
Colin Miller

Injured Versus Devils
Bryan Rust

Remains Out Sunday
Morgan Geekie

Won't Play Sunday
Los Angeles Rams

Mike LaFleur to Interview With Raiders and Cardinals
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Open to Re-Signing Aaron Rodgers?
Matthew Stafford

X-Rays Come Back Negative
Mark Stone

Extends Goal Streak With Empty-Netter
Nikita Kucherov

Has Four-Point Outing Saturday
David Pastrnak

Records Six Assists in Big Win
Stefan Noesen

to Have Knee Surgery
Carter Hart

Out Week-to-Week
Thatcher Demko

Exits With Injury Saturday
MacKenzie Gore

Yankees Pursuing Trade for MacKenzie Gore
Philip Broberg

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Saturday
Alex Bregman

Cubs Sign Alex Bregman to Five-Year, $175 Millon Contract
Chet Holmgren

Available Sunday
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Suspended for Three Games for Attempting to Strike Another Player
Kristaps Porzingis

May Return Sunday
Zaccharie Risacher

to Miss Second Consecutive Game Sunday
Kevin Porter Jr.

Considered Probable for Sunday
Aaron Gordon

Likely to Play Sunday
Christian Braun

Considered Probable for Sunday
Spencer Jones

May Miss Another Game Sunday
Jamal Murray

Iffy for Sunday's Action
Freddie Freeman

Withdraws from World Baseball Classic
Chandler Stephenson

Jaden Schwartz Replaces Chandler Stephenson in Kraken Lineup
Brandon Saad

Won't Play This Weekend
Shea Theodore

Returns to Golden Knights Lineup Saturday
Jaccob Slavin

Returns Against Kraken
Travis Konecny

Ruled Out Saturday
Brad Marchand

Misses Saturday's Game
Corey Perry

Available Saturday
Max Kepler

Receives 80-Game PED Suspension
CFB

Cam Coleman Visiting Alabama on Friday
Omarion Hampton

Expects to Play Sunday Night
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Enters Transfer Portal, Trending to Land at Florida
CFB

NCAA Denies Trinidad Chambliss a Sixth Year of Eligibility
Omarion Hampton

Questionable for Wild-Card Weekend
Kyle Tucker

Mets Remain in Mix for Kyle Tucker
Ketel Marte

Will Remain With Diamondbacks
Rashee Rice

to be Reviewed Under League's Conduct Policy
Daniel Jones

Colts Plan to Re-Sign Daniel Jones
Davante Adams

Off the Injury Report, Will Play Against Carolina
Bo Bichette

Phillies to Meet With Bo Bichette
Rome Odunze

Will Return for Wild-Card Game on Saturday
CFB

DJ Lagway Commits to Baylor
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Fire Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Sam LaPorta

Plans to be Back for Training Camp
Owen Caissie

Shipped to Miami as Centerpiece of Trade
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Officially Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
Rome Odunze

Plans to Play on Saturday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Finalizing Deal to Acquire Edward Cabrera From Marlins
New York Giants

Giants "All-In" on Hiring John Harbaugh
CFB

Jackson Arnold Signs with UNLV
CFB

Sam Leavitt Scheduled to Visit Tennessee
New York Giants

John Harbaugh Expected to be Favorite to Become New Giants Head Coach
Baltimore Ravens

John Harbaugh Won't Return as Ravens Head Coach
Bo Bichette

Unlikely to Return to Toronto?
Jordan Love

Ready to Start in Wild-Card Game Against Bears
CFB

Jadan Baugh Staying with Florida for Junior Season
Washington Commanders

Commanders "Mutually" Parting Ways With OC Kliff Kingsbury
CFB

Byrum Brown Officially Commits to Auburn
CFB

Austin Simmons Signing with Missouri

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP