I must start this with a disclaimer that I hate the entire top tier of running back for week 15. Most rosters will be constructed with saving at running back and spending it all at receiver. A way to be contrarian is to pay all the way up at running back for Freeman. Jacksonville’s game totals have gone over in each of their last 3, including a 42-39 loss against Tennessee. Atlanta is 6th in plays per game, and they are feeding Freeman. He is coming off his worst game of the year against Carolina where he still saw 15 touches. Freeman hasn’t exceeded 50 yards rushing in his last 4 games, but he is still reaching value through the pass game. Freeman has at least 8 targets in 5 games, exceeded 10 targets twice, and caught at least 8 passes 3 times. Jacksonville is tied for the 6th most rushing TDs allowed with 11, and Freeman is tied for the league lead with 9 TDs. A combination of a good ground game and receiving game, along with a TD could lead you to the top of the leaderboard in a tournament.
Ever since “Chalkandrick” week, where we all fell on our faces, Mr. West has had very little fantasy value. Spencer Ware is now banged up and his outlook is looking murky for next week. In West’s 3 starts in relief for Jamal Charles, he exceeded 24 touches and 22 DK points in each game. This week’s matchup with Baltimore isn’t ideal, but the Ravens have nothing to play for, while KC is fighting for a wild card berth. KC is a team that relies on the run. The Chiefs rush the ball 53% of plays which ranks 12th in the NFL. 43% of the Chiefs TDs have been scored on the ground this season which ranks 11th. The Chiefs are 7 point favorites in a game with a low total of 41, which as I’ve mentioned favors running backs. If Ware is indeed out, Charcandrick will eat.
Jonathan Stewart has played an integral role in the undefeated Panthers offense, especially in the second half of the season. Stewart saw at least 20 carries in 8 straight games. This streak ended Sunday when Stewart only had 10 carries. Stewart tweaked his foot in the second half and lost snaps to Fozzy Whitaker. After a precautionary MRI, it was revealed that Stewart is “fine”. At this point I can’t see a full workload for Stew in week 15. The run game is key for the Panthers to make a deep playoff run and it would make sense to be sure Jonathan Stewart is 100%. The Panthers run the ball more than anyother team. Whittaker filled in nicely with 8 carries for 34 yards and a TD. Whittker carried 32 times for 145 yards and a TD last season, and scored on a 39 yard screen play in last year’s wild card game against the Cardinals. I know the sample size is small, but at minimum price and a heavy projected workload, Ill have 100% exposure to Whittaker.
As Matt Forte has worked back from injury, he has continued to split carries with Jeremy Langford, who filled the void very well while Forte was out. In Week 14 against the Redskins, Langford outsnapped Forte 31-28 and out touched Forte 14-11.Though both got red zone carries, Forte was fortunate enough to get into the end zone and significantly outscore Langford. Despite similar usage and production, Langford’s price has dropped $1400 on DK, while Fortes has only dropped $100. Neither are good bets to explode against Minnesota, who play at a slow pace, but the value just isn’t there to spend over 6K on a running back in a true committee backfield.
