On to bargain Week 17 RBs. And
there are plenty. That’s the silver
lining for competing in the season’s final week: with so many good players getting
benched in meaningless games, no excuses if you can’t find an adequate backup to
plug in. Below are my favorite
underrated RBs, including FanDuel pricing for you DFS competitors out there.
Leading off with DeAngelo Williams (cheapest possible FanDuel price of
$4,500). Assuming Le’Veon Bell sits
(Pittsburgh would be plain dumb to start its franchise RB in this one),
Williams would be a potential RB1 at home against Cleveland. While it’s possible the Steelers won’t push
him too hard (he’s one of the best RB handcuffs in the league and might be
needed in the real playoffs), his upside is too high not to take the chance.
With Shaun Draughn ($4,600), you’re hoping for some PPR help. The veteran backup / occasional fill-in won’t
gain much traction against a motivated Seattle D still playing for
something. But Draughn can get you 10 DFS
points if he simply touches it 18+ times—including a few times in the air.
I was incredible high on Jerick McKinnon ($5,200) this preseason. It took him most of the year to get
going. Much of that is due to the
offensive line and to a QB who’s been mediocre at best for most of the season. Only six NFL teams have scored fewer
points. But McKinnon is a decent bargain
in this weekend’s finale against the Bears.
Expect enough volume to hand him top 20 production.
If Rob Kelley ($5,900) can give it a go, his insulting price (he should
be valued at $7,000+) should draw a lot of attention. Kelley is a likely top 15 RB next season if
he can stay healthy and assuming Kirk Cousins sticks around. Washington will reach the playoffs with a win
(assuming Green Bay and Detroit don’t tie), so expect Kelley to start even if
he’s questionable heading into Sunday.
Finally, why is Mark Ingram valued at only $6,100? He’s fantasy’s 11th highest
scoring RB and owns a career-high 5.1 YPC.
Just as many people gave up on teammate Brandin Cooks (6th
highest scoring fantasy WR) too soon this season, Ingram is capable of top 3
production every time he takes the field.
Fire him up as a boom-bust RB1, with a much highest chance at boom.