Top daily fantasy football running back plays for Week 17

Welcome to Week 17 of the Daily Fantasy season. This is always the most interesting week of the season, as so many top players will either not play or be limited as teams prepare for the playoffs or have nothing to play for. This creates tremendous value opportunities across all positions. This article looks at some of the projected lesser-owned plays at running back who could provide huge boosts to your tournament lineups, as well as some trap plays to avoid.

Opportunity, meet opportunity. With Le’Veon Bell (among others) sitting this one out for the Steelers in preseason mode, Toussaint has a chance for 20 carries or more against a run defense that hasn’t stopped the run all season. DeAngelo Williams is also $4,500, but I would expect Toussaint to be the more productive back. That doesn’t mean you can’t roll the dice and roster them both and load up on the high-priced, passing-game guys in the New Orleans-Atlanta or Green Bay-Detroit games.

Another perfect storm situation. The Raiders have everything to play for, and the Broncos have nothing. The Raiders will be looking to hide quarterback Matt McGloin as much as possible, and the banged-up Denver defense hasn’t stopped the running game for weeks. Murray shredded Denver for 114 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting, and that could easily repeat itself this week.

There is going to be a lot of offense in this game, with Atlanta looking to secure a first-round bye and the Saints more than happy to ruin the party. A lot of people will be on the passing elements of this game, but the runners should also have their moments. Ingram has had an up-and-down season, but he’s within range of 1,000 yards and the Saints will make the effort to get it for him. That could lead to a big day with touchdown upside.

Coleman runs hot and cold, but he was never hotter than against the Saints earlier in the season when he popped three touchdowns. Devonta Freeman is also a great play here, but Coleman provides saves and upside, especially if the Falcons take a big early lead and Freeman heads to the bench.

The Buccaneers are hanging on to playoff life by a slender thread, but we’re saying there’s a chance. Expect the Bucs to come out motivated, and remember that Rodgers carried 30 times for 101 yards in the first meeting with Carolina. He could easily exceed that production as the only reliable back on the roster.

He’s awesome against Buffalo, but the fact remains: Against everyone else, Ajayi has been rather ordinary. The Patriots have home-field advantage on the line here, so they won’t be easing up in this one, which doesn’t bode well for Ajayi to have a big day, especially since he’s banged up.

The Chiefs need the win to keep first-round bye hopes alive, and the Chargers struggle against the run. Perfect setup, right? Well, it turns out Ware is injured and will probably be a game-time decision. Game time is three hours after lineups lock. Sorry, can’t trust him.