Week 4 FanDuel NFL Tournament Pivots

Running Back

Chalk:

At the top end, Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley will likely be popular in a head-to-head matchup that could turn into a shootout. Just below them is Leonard Fournette, who should get his against the New York Jets. In the mid-range, Chris Carson has been trending up and has a beautiful game script and matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Joe Mixon should be chalk this week on FanDuel, where he is severely underpriced.

Pivots:

Christian McCaffrey, $6,400 (at New England Patriots): After a terrific performance last week and a $400 price drop, Christian McCaffrey should be a popular play. However, with several appealing top-end options -- and Carson right above him -- McCaffrey will likely fly a bit under-the-radar.

However, C-Mac showed he can thrive in this type of game script last week, catching 9 of 11 targets for 101 yards as the Carolina Panthers played catch-up. Listed as 9-point underdogs to the New England Patriots, Carolina will likely have to take to the air frequently again. If they do go with a pass-heavy approach, McCaffrey should be heavily involved, given New England's struggles to cover backs out of the backfield. Last year, they allowed the 2nd-most catches and 3rd-most receiving yards to opposing backs and haven't looked any better in 2017.

Wendell Smallwood, $5,300 (at Philadelphia Eagles): Following a brutal play in which Darren Sproles both broke his arm and tore his ACL, Wendell Smallwood was immediately thrust into a larger role for the Philadelphia Eagles. He carried the rock 12 times for 71 yards and out-snapped LeGarrette Blount 43-to-22. The Eagles have already said that Smallwood will have an increased role going forward, and it couldn't have come at a better time than this week's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles combined for 121 rushing yards against Los Angeles in Week 1, followed by a 122-yard rushing day from Jay Ajayi in Week 2. Things really got out of control in Week 3, as Kareem Hunt ran all over them, totaling 172 yards and a score. Smallwood likely won't see quite the volume that Mixon will, but at a discounted price tag and ownership percentage, he is worth considering as a pivot option. If you just can't get off of Mixon at his price, you can always cut the chalk and pair him with Smallwood rather than one of the top backs, a true contrarian lineup construction.