Due to the high frequency of injury, most backup running backs are widely owned in fantasy football, which makes streaming difficult. However, this turnover also leads to more opportunity. As we turn our attention to week six, streaming is going to get harder, as people start to roster backups and the bye weeks roll in to take their tolls. This week will have you trying to fill the shoes of only a couple starting-level running backs through the bye, though injuries continue to mount. If you need some RB punch, we are here to help. The Stream Teams are under 50% ownership on Yahoo!, with one player under 10% ownership for deeper leagues. As always, numbers are as of Saturday afternoon.[embedit snippet=”jeff-ads”]
Cameron Artis-Payne at New Orleans (37% owned)
The man known as CAP filled in amazingly for the injured Jonathon Stewart last week, going 18-for-85 with two scores. J-Stew is back this week, but the Panthers travel to New Orleans, a place where a defense has no bearing. He will likely only get 10-12 touches, but against a New Orleans defense that has yielded the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, 10-12 touches are all you need. In their two home games this season, the Saints defense has allowed four running backs to get at least 13.2 fantasy points. Being the backup has no meaning when you travel to NOLA. Fozzy Whittaker is only 23% owned, so if CAP is once again inactive on game day, Fozzy is also worth some run.
Jalen Richard versus Kansas City (27% owned)
With the announcement that Latavius Murray would once again be out for this weekend’s contest against the Chiefs, the Raiders announced that there would be a running back by committee this weekend between Richard and DeAndre Washington. This is the same situation as last week and a state of affairs that Richard took full advantage of. They each had fourteen touches last week, and Richard out-gained Washington 97 to 52. If you’re in a bind, Richard is worth a look as Murray’s foot issue could linger, as turf toe tends to do. They take on a KC team that has shown an inability to shut down the run and who has given up three massive games in the first five weeks so far this season.
Deep Dive:
Mike Gillislee versus San Francisco (3% owned)
This one is going to be a boat race, as the 49ers have continually been blown out on the road against superior competition since the beginning of last season. While Gillislee is going to be the backup, it’s entirely likely he spends the entire fourth quarter as the back to salt away the game. Gillislee is averaging just over 5 YPC as the backup, and the 49ers’ defense is giving up an average of 4.4 YPC. The Niners run defense stinks, and NaVorro Bowman is gone. He’s a desperation play, but it just might work out for you.