Chalk:
Le'Veon Bell and DeMarco Murray should hog the ownership among top-end backs, as both check all the boxes from a matchup and LeGarrette Blount finds himself in the best spot available to a running back, as the Pats are heavy favorites against the San Francisco 49ers. With Christine Michael out of the picture and Thomas Rawls being eased back into action, C.J. Prosise is going to take on an expanded role and is sure to be a popular play at just $4,900.
Pivots:
Spencer Ware, $7,700 (vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Spencer Ware returned from the concussion protocol to his role as the unquestioned lead back for the Kansas City Chiefs last week, handling 86.7 percent of the running back carries and average a healthy 4.7 yards per carry against a stout Carolina Panthers front-seven. He gets a much easier matchup this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed the fourth-most FanDuel points per game to running backs among defenses on this slate. With the Chiefs listed as 7.5-point favorites and boasting a 26-point implied team total, Ware's workload and scoring opportunities profile similarly to that of LeGarrette Blount, who is in the same price range and will be immensely more popular.
Rob Kelley, $5,400 (vs Green Bay Packers): There are exactly two running backs who are averaging over 21 touches as a starter, have an implied team total of over 26 points, and are favorites. One of them is the most expensive, and possibly the most popular running back on the slate, Le'Veon Bell. The other? You guessed it: Rob Kelley. He comes in just $3,700 cheaper than his esteemed colleague.
"But, what about Green Bay's suffocating run defense?! They're only allowing 3.5 yards per carry!" Oh, you mean the Green Bay Packers defense that has allowed 29 FanDuel points per game to opposing running backs over the past three weeks and allowed DeMarco Murray to put up his best FanDuel performance of the season last week? Now, to be fair, Green Bay will get Clay Matthews back this week, but he could be on a snap count and they are still dealing with several other injuries on defense.
Don't get me wrong -- Green Bay has been great against the run on the season. The best way to attack them is through the air. However, let's not act as if a matchup against them is a death sentence. Kelley ran for 97 yards against a tough Minnesota Vikings defense last week and has totaled 184 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries in two weeks as a starter. Prosise is the more exciting prospect and is cheaper, but that's no reason to completely overlook fellow rookie Rob Kelley, when he checks all the boxes this week.