4 NFL FanDuel Tournament Pivots for Week 3

Running Back

Chalk

This week is an interesting one for running backs. A number of starting running backs are out this week, which opens up the possibility of some cheap backups. There will, of course, be a lot of people willing and ready to use Alvin Kamara in a solid matchup against the Atlanta Falcons or Todd Gurley, whose four touchdowns through two games puts him well on pace to beat his total of 19 in 2017.

Beyond that, though, value abounds, and there are more options available every day. Giovani Bernard was on radars early when we learned last week that Joe Mixon was to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and miss a couple of games. Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles were ruled out this week, which opens up room for Corey Clement, who holds a questionable tag of his own. Devonta Freeman has been ruled out, which means Tevin Coleman should continue to get the bulk of the touches for the Falcons.

The most intriguing play this week, however, is likely Latavius Murray. Though Dalvin Cook wasn't ruled out until today, the matchup against the Buffalo Bills is so good that people will likely be clamoring to roster Murray this week.

The Bills are giving up the second-most points to opposing running backs this season and are coming off a game in which they allowed Melvin Gordon to score three times (Gordon's 27.6 FanDuel points was second to only Gurley last week). Murray's salary of $5,200 opens up a lot of options at other positions and makes it possible to roster multiple big names, such as Mahomes and Gurley.

The Vikings are 16.5-point favorites, so the game script screams running and defense. Feel free to take advantage and roster him, Gurley and Kamara. If you are looking for a different option, however, check out this next guy.

Pivot

Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears: $7,400 (at Arizona Cardinals)

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard has been disappointing to start the season, from a fantasy perspective at least. He did top 100 total yards in Week 1, but 13.2 FanDuel points isn't going to cut it when one's salary is $7,400.

He'll get an excellent chance to dominate this week, however, when the Bears take on the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals ranked first in rushing DVOA in 2017. One would have expected that to have at least carried over in some part this year, but that has been far from the case.

Through two weeks, the Cardinals are dead last in FanDuel points per game against opposing running backs. They've given up 40.75 points per game to the position, an astounding 7.05 points more than the second-worst Bills have allowed.

Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson combined for 294 yards from scrimmage and 2 scores against them in Week 1, and Todd Gurley followed up that by finding the end zone three times in Week 2.

Because of all of the value that has opened up and solid matchups for Kamara and Gurley, Howard may go overlooked, despite the solid matchup. On top of the matchup. Chicago coach Matt Nagy said he wants to get Howard "a few more carries."

We have Howard projected for 13.5 FanDuel points this week, and his upside at 26.3. If you want to stray from the crowd, give him a look.