Nailing the running back spots is essential for constructing a solid DFS lineup. It’s a bit easier to project than the receivers, where touchdowns and big plays are going to result in weekly variance. The workloads for the top running backs are much more stable, so they’re typically more consistent fantasy producers.
However, that also results in some of the heaviest chalk you’ll see across the industry. How do you handle those players each week?
In this piece, I highlight running backs who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by the award-winning expert ranker, Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Or you can just use our NFL DFS sims to effortlessly create advanced lineups.
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace.
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
Top NFL DFS Cash Game Picks
NEW: DFS Terminal – a new tool with modern features designed to help you succeed at DFS.
Jahmyr Gibbs ($10,000 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel)
Gibbs’ salary continues to creep up, and he’s officially joined the five-figure club on DraftKings. That’s rarified air. Jonathan Taylor did it for one week last season, while Nick Chubb did it once in 2022-23. Other than those two, it’s a bunch of Christian McCaffrey, Le’Veon Bell, and not much else.
It’s hard to say it isn’t warranted. Gibbs has carried a herculean workload for the Lions this season. He’s racked up 191 touches in just seven contests, good for an average of more than 27 per game. It puts him on pace for more than 460 touches just during the regular season. He’s ultimately handled 82% of the Lions’ rushing attempts, while his 18% target share ranks second among all RBs. Add in 93% of the carries from inside the five-yard line for an explosive offense, and there isn’t a box that Gibbs doesn’t check.
Gibbs has posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of seven games this season, and the two exceptions were still very respectable (17.7 and 21.3 DraftKings points). He managed 27.8 DraftKings points vs. an elite Vikings defense last week, and he’s in a far better spot this week vs. the Dolphins. The Lions are listed as seven-point road favorites, while their 28.75 implied team total is tied for second highest on the slate.
The Dolphins have actually defended the run pretty well this season, but the fact that they’ve played consistently from behind means they’ve ceded tons of opportunities to opposing runners. RBs have averaged 30.3 carries per game against Miami, which is the fourth-most in football. As a result, opposing RBs have averaged the sixth-most fantasy points per game against the Dolphins. There’s ultimately nothing not to like with Gibbs this week.
Jonah Coleman ($5,300 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel)
After Gibbs, there’s a large group of appealing value options to consider at the position. Coleman is arguably the best of the bunch.
He started the year as part of a three-man committee in Denver, but the injury to R.J. Harvey has changed things considerably. Coleman was already emerging as the team’s lead runner, and he handled 68% of the snaps and 52% of the carries in the team’s backfield last week.
The bigger change was his pass-game usage. He had a season-high 50% route participation, and he racked up a 16% target share. Harvey had a 19% target share through the first six weeks this season, and if Coleman can assume that role, it gives him a very fantasy-friendly skill set.
His matchup this week is also excellent. The Panthers have had their struggles defensively, and they’re merely 26th in EPA per rush against. They’ve also allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Coleman ultimately leads the RB position in projected DraftKings Plus/Minus. If he’s going to continue to serve as the Broncos’ lead back, he’s simply too cheap across the industry.
Woody Marks ($5,700 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel)
Marks is another solid value option this week. The Texans are coming off a bye in Week 8, but the team remains extremely thin in the backfield. Both David Montgomery and Jawhar Jordan remain out of the lineup, leaving Marks as basically the only option at the position.
In the team’s last contest, Marks was on the field for a season-high 89% of their offensive snaps. He responded with a 79% carry share, including 100% of the opportunities from inside the five-yard line. Marks wasn’t as involved as a pass-catcher as usual, but he was also still on the field for the majority of their long-down-and-distance snaps.
It gives Marks the profile of a true three-down running back, and he’ll take the field as a favorite this week vs. the Chargers. Los Angeles has been an unmitigated disaster this season, and while they’ve struggled more on offense than defense, they’ve still allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs. If the Texans can establish a lead – something that basically everyone has done vs. the Chargers this season – Marks should get plenty of opportunities to pad his stats.
Top NFL DFS Tournament Picks
Chuba Hubbard ($6,500 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel)
Hubbard has somewhat quietly been one of the most consistent runners in fantasy this season. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in all but one game, including at least 22.1 DraftKings points in three of his past four.
Hubbard has seized control of the Panthers’ backfield with Jonathon Brooks on IR. From Week 3 on, he’s played on 84% of the team’s offensive snaps and handled 82% of their carries. Last week, those figures were up to 91% and 96%, respectively.
Hubbard has also shown increased upside as a pass-catcher in recent weeks. He posted a 19% target share two weeks ago, and he followed that up with a 26% mark last week. If he can continue to post those types of numbers as a receiver, it gives him one of the most desirable workloads in all of fantasy.
Hubbard draws an interesting matchup this week vs. the Broncos. They have an excellent defense, but they’ve been worse against the run than the pass. As a result, opposing RBs are averaging 29.3 carries per game against Denver, who has allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to the position.
Hubbard has finished as a top-eight scorer at RB in three of the past four weeks, and he ranks second at the position in projected DraftKings Plus/Minus.
Tyler Allgeier ($5,400 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel)
Jeremiyah Love returned to the lineup for the Cardinals last week, but he picked up a high-ankle sprain in that contest and has since been placed on IR. It leaves the team without the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for at least the next four weeks.
With Love out of the picture earlier this year, Allgeier and Bam Knight split the touches in the Cardinals backfield. However, Knight is currently in the concussion protocol. If he’s unable to clear in time for this week’s matchup vs. the Seahawks, Allgeier would have the backfield basically all to himself.
That’s an appealing proposition, even in a subpar matchup vs. the Seahawks. Seattle has one of the league’s best defenses, and they’re listed as 8.5-point home favorites in this contest. That said, they are going to be missing starting QB Sam Darnold. It’s possible that their offense isn’t as formidable with Drew Lock under center, which could make this game more competitive than expected.
Allgeier currently ranks second in SimLabs optimal lineup rate, trailing only Marks. He’s slightly more intriguing on FanDuel, where his $5,800 salary comes with a 77% Bargain Rating.
Kenneth Walker ($9,000 DraftKings, $8,900 FanDuel)
Speaking of FanDuel, Walker is arguably the best overall play on the slate. He leads all RBs in projected Plus/Minus, while his 14 Pro Trends trail only Gibbs. That fact that he’s cheaper on FanDuel than he is on DraftKings is an anomaly, resulting in a 97% Bargain Rating.
Walker has come back to reality over the past two weeks after a torrid start to the year. The Broncos and Seahawks managed to keep him out of the end zone, while he struggled to get anything going on the ground.
That shouldn’t be an issue vs. the Jets. Their defense hasn’t been bad this season, but they’ve played in a bunch of high-scoring affairs of late. That doesn’t figure to change this week, and the Chiefs’ implied team total is tied with the Lions for No. 2 on the slate.
The Chiefs are also listed as 10-point favorites, setting up a very favorable potential game script. Walker has historically been a strong investment as a favorite, he’s dominated in that split with the Chiefs. In four games as a favorite of more than a FG, Walker has averaged 26.85 FanDuel points and a +13.67 Plus/Minus (per the Trends tool).
Contrarian NFL DFS Tournament Picks With Upside
Christian McCaffrey ($8,000 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel)
McCaffrey is one of the biggest X-factors this week. He’s been a DNP at practice so far this week, despite the team being on bye in Week 8. He’s reportedly dealing with a hamstring strain, and with the 49ers in great position in the NFC West, it’s possible that they give him another week off. If that’s the case, Kaelon Black would become another extremely appealing value play.
If McCaffrey does suit up, he becomes one of the strongest overall options at the position. No team has a higher implied team total this week than the 49ers, who are listed as 10-point home favorites vs. the Raiders. Vegas has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing RBs, and no team has allowed a bigger boost in terms of rushing yards per game.
The combination of a questionable tag and the presence of Gibbs and Walker could also result in McCaffrey flying a bit under the radar. His optimal lineup rate currently exceeds his projected ownership by roughly 3.5%.
Ollie Gordon ($5,600 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel)
Expectations were pretty low for Gordon after taking over for the injured De’Von Achane. Gordon struggled pretty mightily as a rookie, and the Dolphins have one of the worst offenses in football. How much could Gordon realistically contribute when even Achane was struggling to produce?
Turns out, a decent bit. Gordon has upped his YPC from 2.8 last year to 4.5 this season, and he’s scored a touchdown in five of his past six outings. He’s added at least 100 rushing yards in two of them, and he’s finished as a top-14 scorer at the position in four of his past five games.
Gordon could be a bit overlooked with so many “new” value plays available for Week 9. However, he still ranks fourth at the position in projected DraftKings Plus/Minus. It’s possible he runs into a negative game script vs. the Lions, but he should have success with his opportunities: they’re 19th in EPA per rush defensively.
Cam Skattebo ($5,600 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel)
The Giants have taken over as the clear favorites in the NFC East. They’re leading the division at 4-2-1, and they’re in a good spot to add another win to their tally this week. They’re listed as 3.5-point road favorites against the Eagles.
Skattebo has spent some time in the doghouse this season, but he put together his best performance in his last game. He had 17 carries vs. the Texans, which he turned into 124 yards and a touchdown. While the Texans’ D hasn’t been quite as formidable as they were last year, it was still an impressive showing.
The Eagles defense has been dreadful this season, so Skattebo should have another chance to pile up some yardage. The only real caveat is that he’s dealing with an injury. He’s considered day-to-day with a hamstring strain, so this is another situation that will need to be monitored.
Quinshon Judkins ($5,400 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel)
Judkins is one of my personal favorite tournament plays this week. The Browns will be without starting QB DeShaun Watson, so Shedeur Sanders will make his first start of the year. As a result, the team could lean on the run game a bit more than usual.
That could pay dividends vs. the Saints. New Orleans is dead last in EPA per rush defensively, and they’ve allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to the position. If Judkins can get 20+ carries in this matchup, he has significantly more upside than his price tag suggests.
Pictured: Chuba Hubbard
Photo Credit: Imagn
