Rizzla dives in to his favorite topic to discuss five running backs who have seen their dynasty values spike over the past week.
In this weeks dynasty league dive we will take a look at five running backs who improved their dynasty league outlooks in week eight.
Josh Adams had a solid week eight for the Eagles sees his dynasty league value spike as the trade deadline passed and the Eagles failed to land a starting running back. Adams is clearly the best runner in this backfield and likely fits the mold of the type of back the Eagles would like to complement both Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood who both profile more as change of pace or strict committee backs. Adams should be long gone in deeper dynasty formats but since not all leagues are created equal we suggest you make a quick check of your waiver wire before you read any further.
Kerryon Johnson impressed with a career high six receptions off eight targets, piling up 69 yards through the air. This raises Johnson’s stock a bit as it displays the upside he can boast as a true feature back. The trade of Golden Tate further cements Johnson’s fantasy upside in dynasty leagues as Johnson now looks like a RB2 for the next five years at a minimum..
While Phillip Lindsay does not profile as an every down back we caught a glimpse of his upside as a feature back. If there was ever any doubters as to Lindsay’s long term keeper league upside he silenced most of them with his 18 carry, 97 rushing yard week eight performance. Barring a trade Royce Freeman is not going anywhere here, capping the upside of both players, but Lindsay may very well prove to be the superior fantasy option. While Freeman may be more well suited for a workhorse, featured back type of role Lindsay is the superior receiver an is also the more explosive option.
James Conner seems to have solidified his starting job for 2019 with his run over the last four weeks, piling up 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in four straight games. I will admit that I was one of the doubters who thought the Steelers would add a top end back in next years draft but it now appears that the Steelers could just opt for a low cost veteran to spell their 2019 workhorse in James Conner. The day Bell suits up for the Steelers is the day you want to start sending offers for Conner, especially if you have already found yourself on the outside looking in as far as the fantasy playoffs are concerned.
A feature in our rest of season rankings Marlon Mack has solidified himself as a low end RB2 with matchup based RB1 upside going forward. This is what we had to say about Mack:
“…looking much more capable of carrying a full load than most thought was realistic. Mack has torched the Bills and Raiders over the past two weeks for 129 rushing yards per game and three total touchdowns on an average of a whopping 22 carries per game. Mack has assuaged his workload doubters…”
The reason Mack is not higher in our dynasty running back rankings is concerns about future backfield competition. The Colts may look to add a second running option (with Hines more of a receiving back) and depending on the talent of said option, Mack could see his fantasy upside capped. Furthermore there will be clearly more talented backs entering the league every year muddying his long term outlook.
