A few things of note when understanding some of the statistics provided in the tables. Most of the statistics are easy to understand but here are a few clarifications in case you are not following along:
Pace: Based upon how fast each team gets to the line to run plays. The idea being the faster a team plays, the greater number of plays are run which gives those particular players more chances at production. The rest of the data in the table is pretty easy to understand as it relates mostly to the amount of volume and expected volume we can count on from each of the top RB's this week.
D vs Position: How that week's given opponent has done so far this season.
DVOA: Player's value over the average NFL running back performance so far this season. This number has been adjusted based upon opponents' defenses faced so far this season. The higher the number, the more value they have created for their team.
Script: Rating based upon the expected game script or basically how each player's role in the offense will be affected based upon expected game flow. The higher the rating, the greater the expected game flow will work in their favor. I.E. Danny Woodhead plays more in passing situations so with San Diego being sizeable favorites his role in the offense will likely be reduced if the game works out as expected.
| # Plays | # Run Plays | # Snaps | % of Plays | # Touches | % of Touches | # Rush | % Rush | |||||||
| Player | (Team) | (Team) | (Player) | (Player/Team) | (Player) | (Player/Team) | Pace | Att | Att | D Vs Pos | DVOA | PFF O-LINE | O/U | Script |
| Devonta Freeman | 475 | 208 | 314 | 0.66 | 165 | 0.43 | 20 | 131 | 0.63 | 16 | 17 | 48 | 22 | 9 |
| Todd Gurley | 311 | 145 | 95 | 0.31 | 81 | 0.33 | 30 | 74 | 0.51 | 8 | 5 | 40 | 2 | 9 |
| Adrian Peterson | 362 | 181 | 224 | 0.62 | 133 | 0.44 | 23 | 120 | 0.66 | 25 | 20 | 42 | 5 | 8 |
| Le'Veon Bell | 384 | 188 | 229 | 0.6 | 125 | 0.39 | 27 | 103 | 0.55 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 7 | |
| Marshawn Lynch | 418 | 214 | 171 | 0.41 | 92 | 0.26 | 24 | 82 | 0.38 | 3 | 8 | 40.5 | 3 | 8 |
| Chris Ivory | 402 | 192 | 152 | 0.38 | 108 | 0.34 | 21 | 100 | 0.52 | 13 | 2 | 44 | 17 | 8 |
| Justin Forsett | 462 | 174 | 322 | 0.7 | 142 | 0.4 | 4 | 116 | 0.67 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 8 | |
| Lamar Miller | 352 | 132 | 227 | 0.64 | 85 | 0.31 | 6 | 70 | 0.53 | 23 | 15 | 51 | 20 | 6 |
| Matt Forte | 388 | 174 | 359 | 0.93 | 147 | 0.49 | 15 | 126 | 0.72 | 15 | 29 | 42 | 18 | 8 |
| Mark Ingram | 477 | 185 | 255 | 0.53 | 131 | 0.34 | 8 | 102 | 0.55 | 10 | 31 | 49.5 | 26 | 8 |
| Giovani Bernard | 376 | 183 | 240 | 0.64 | 95 | 0.3 | 25 | 77 | 0.42 | 29 | 13 | 8 | 7 | |
| Doug Martin | 362 | 181 | 178 | 0.49 | 123 | 0.43 | 10 | 109 | 0.6 | 1 | 21 | 48 | 30 | 4 |
| Darren McFadden | 367 | 170 | 92 | 0.25 | 80 | 0.26 | 32 | 66 | 0.39 | 31 | 25 | 40.5 | 19 | 6 |
| Dion Lewis | 379 | 128 | 231 | 0.61 | 66 | 0.22 | 5 | 40 | 0.31 | 14 | 11 | 51 | 27 | 7 |
| Eddie Lacy | 350 | 168 | 182 | 0.52 | 76 | 0.26 | 28 | 67 | 0.4 | 11 | 7 | 45.5 | 15 | 5 |
| Jonathan Stewart | 378 | 197 | 226 | 0.6 | 109 | 0.37 | 11 | 103 | 0.52 | 17 | 6 | 46 | 7 | 8 |
| Latavius Murray | 362 | 138 | 211 | 0.58 | 113 | 0.39 | 19 | 95 | 0.69 | 30 | 14 | 44 | 23 | 6 |
| Frank Gore | 439 | 153 | 263 | 0.6 | 114 | 0.36 | 13 | 98 | 0.64 | 6 | 22 | 46 | 16 | 5 |
| Charcandrick West | 415 | 173 | 87 | 0.21 | 48 | 0.15 | 2 | 43 | 0.25 | 19 | 19 | 45.5 | 6 | 8 |
| Jeremy Hill | 376 | 183 | 166 | 0.44 | 77 | 0.25 | 25 | 74 | 0.4 | 29 | 13 | 8 | 7 | |
| Danny Woodhead | 483 | 166 | 221 | 0.46 | 86 | 0.22 | 16 | 49 | 0.3 | 24 | 30 | 32 | 8 | |
| Alfred Blue | 518 | 191 | 120 | 0.23 | 63 | 0.17 | 1 | 60 | 0.31 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 7 | |
| Ronnie Hillman | 378 | 141 | 162 | 0.43 | 72 | 0.25 | 14 | 66 | 0.47 | 18 | 1 | 45.5 | 1 | 6 |
| Carlos Hyde | 387 | 185 | 272 | 0.7 | 126 | 0.41 | 13 | 115 | 0.62 | 4 | 32 | 40 | 31 | 3 |
| Rashad Jennings | 434 | 175 | 153 | 0.35 | 85 | 0.25 | 7 | 71 | 0.41 | 21 | 12 | 49.5 | 28 | 4 |
| Branden Oliver | 483 | 166 | 49 | 0.1 | 38 | 0.1 | 16 | 27 | 0.16 | 24 | 30 | 32 | 4 | |
| Duke Johnson | 439 | 175 | 218 | 0.5 | 86 | 0.25 | 18 | 55 | 0.31 | 20 | 28 | 29 | 3 | |
| James Starks | 350 | 168 | 181 | 0.52 | 74 | 0.25 | 28 | 63 | 0.38 | 11 | 7 | 45.5 | 15 | 5 |
| Antonio Andrews | 355 | 151 | 69 | 0.19 | 43 | 0.15 | 31 | 38 | 0.25 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 6 | |
| Shane Vereen | 434 | 175 | 175 | 0.4 | 55 | 0.16 | 7 | 33 | 0.19 | 21 | 12 | 49.5 | 28 | 7 |
| Ameer Abdullah | 437 | 136 | 172 | 0.39 | 75 | 0.23 | 14 | 62 | 0.46 | 22 | 27 | 45.5 | 10 | 6 |
| Reggie Bush | 387 | 185 | 24 | 0.06 | 12 | 0.04 | 13 | 8 | 0.04 | 4 | 32 | 40 | 31 | 7 |
| Chris Polk | 518 | 191 | 135 | 0.26 | 51 | 0.14 | 1 | 40 | 0.21 | 28 | 26 | 14 | 5 | |
| LeGarrette Blount | 379 | 128 | 90 | 0.24 | 54 | 0.18 | 5 | 52 | 0.41 | 14 | 11 | 51 | 27 | 3 |
| Joseph Randle | 367 | 170 | 141 | 0.38 | 86 | 0.28 | 32 | 76 | 0.45 | 31 | 25 | 40.5 | 19 | 3 |
| Theo Riddick | 437 | 136 | 175 | 0.4 | 48 | 0.15 | 12 | 12 | 0.09 | 22 | 27 | 45.5 | 10 | 5 |
| C.J. Spiller | 477 | 185 | 96 | 0.2 | 37 | 0.1 | 8 | 16 | 0.09 | 10 | 31 | 49.5 | 26 | 5 |
| Melvin Gordon | 483 | 166 | 183 | 0.38 | 98 | 0.25 | 16 | 85 | 0.51 | 24 | 30 | 32 | 3 | |
| Isaiah Crowell | 439 | 175 | 175 | 0.4 | 90 | 0.26 | 18 | 81 | 0.46 | 20 | 28 | 29 | 3 | |
| Charles Sims | 362 | 181 | 154 | 0.43 | 63 | 0.22 | 10 | 47 | 0.26 | 1 | 21 | 48 | 30 | 6 |
| Knile Davis | 415 | 173 | 49 | 0.12 | 19 | 0.06 | 17 | 17 | 0.1 | 19 | 19 | 45.5 | 6 | 8 |
| Ahmad Bradshaw | 439 | 153 | 19 | 0.04 | 2 | 0.02 | 8 | 5 | 0.03 | 6 | 22 | 46 | 16 | 6 |
| Andre Ellington | 410 | 184 | 61 | 0.15 | 27 | 0.08 | 29 | 21 | 0.11 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 7 | |
| Zac Stacy | 402 | 192 | 57 | 0.14 | 34 | 0.11 | 21 | 27 | 0.14 | 13 | 2 | 44 | 17 | 7 |
| Javorius Allen | 462 | 174 | 52 | 0.11 | 37 | 0.1 | 4 | 33 | 0.19 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 8 | |
| Khiry Robinson | 477 | 185 | 103 | 0.22 | 67 | 0.17 | 8 | 52 | 0.28 | 10 | 31 | 49.5 | 26 | 6 |
| Tevin Coleman | 475 | 208 | 79 | 0.17 | 38 | 0.1 | 20 | 38 | 0.18 | 16 | 17 | 48 | 22 | 8 |
| David Johnson | 410 | 184 | 103 | 0.25 | 36 | 0.11 | 29 | 24 | 0.13 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 7 | |
| Joique Bell | 437 | 136 | 61 | 0.14 | 30 | 0.09 | 12 | 23 | 0.17 | 22 | 27 | 45.5 | 10 | 4 |
| C.J. Anderson | 378 | 141 | 236 | 0.62 | 80 | 0.28 | 14 | 67 | 0.48 | 18 | 1 | 45.5 | 1 | 4 |
Premium Options
Devonta Freeman is averaging over 27 touches over the last five games since taking over as the starter. He did not have the monster game last week that we are accustomed to but was solid. He had 130 total yards last week even after losing a 41-yard run due to penalty. Freeman is proving to be the most reliable running back every given week.
LeVeon Bell is still the second-best running back even without scoring the last two weeks. The Cincinnati defense has not been as good as expected so he should have success once again this week. The Bengals own the eighth-worst run defense and Pittsburgh has the second-best run blocking unit. Bell should be a very safe play this week and would be even better if Ben Roethlisberger can return.
Mid-Tier Options
Todd Gurley is still not priced up enough to avoid using him in almost every lineup. The Rams can’t do anything but run and with the 49ers coming to town it should only continue. Gurley is still a great value and is ONLY averaging over 164 total yards per game over the last three games. Fade at your own risk.
Chris Ivory has proven to be one of the better week to week options in the league. The only question for him is, will he be healthy? Ivory has struggled with leg issues his entire career and was in and out of the lineup a bunch last week but still managed 19 touches. The matchup is solid vs. Oakland assuming he is upgraded to probable. Ivory will be a good bet for 20-plus touches and over 100 yards.
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Doug Martin continues to produce strong numbers each week. He has at least 143 total yards in each of the last three games and takes on the worst run defense in the league. His price is still very nice for the production he has put in this season. I probably should like him more but just feel like I see too much Charles Sims at times. Martin does dominate the goal line carries and with a rookie QB, Tampa Bay has focused on not putting too much pressure on Jameis Winston.
Mark Ingram would have incredible numbers if not for Khiry Robinson stealing some of his goal line carries. The upside does feel a bit limited but the Giants are a Bottom-10 defense vs. the run. New York also allowed Darren McFadden to run all over them. There are TDs to be scored in what is expected to be the second-highest scoring game of the week.
Justin Forsett gets the second-worst run defense in San Diego this week. I know my buddy Jeff Mans loves to pick on the Chargers' defense. Forsett should find a ton of running lanes this week and he gets the added bonus of being involved in the passing game. Baltimore did lose a couple of starters to injury on the offensive line last week so keep an eye on those before plugging Forsett in.
Bargain Options
Lamar Miller is a difference-making running back and he is finally getting his chance to show it. The previous coaching issues really held him back. Miller went off for 236 total yards in the first half alone last week. He has 298 rushing yards in the last two games since Joe Philbin was fired. The matchup is tough if New England jumps out to an early lead. I do think Miami hangs with New England which should keep Miller involved.
Chris Johnson is amazingly second in the league in rushing yards. He does split time with two other running backs but is still a good bet to go over 100 yards vs. Cleveland who is the fourth-worst rush defense in the league. The Browns really struggle in particular in containing runs to the outside which Arizona should be able to exploit. Johnson is probably more of a cash game play if needed as the time share does limit some of his touches compared to some of the other running backs that see more snaps.
Darren McFadden looks to be the guy this week in Dallas after Joseph Randle went down with an injury. McFadden ran for 152 yards last week and the Cowboys' offensive line looked much improved with La’el Collins being moved into the starting lineup. McFadden has always been an injury risk but he does bring a big upside potential with how good Dallas can run block when they are going right. The matchup vs. Seattle is tough so McFadden looks more of a GPP play despite the cheap price.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.