Fantasy Football: 5 Buy Low Running Backs to Target This Week

Buy-Low Running Backs at a Glance

• Chase Brown, Bengals
• Bucky Irving, Buccaneers
• Kyren Williams, Rams

Whether you're deciding who to start in season-long, who to roster in NFL DFS, or which NFL prop bets to consider via the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, there are still plenty of ways to buy low on players poised to bounce back from disappointing outings.

Running back production can be especially volatile from week to week, and a poor box score doesn't always mean a player's outlook has changed. Volume, receiving involvement, and touchdown opportunities can often tell us more about what is coming next.

With that in mind, here are five running backs worth trying to acquire entering Week 7.

All fantasy football projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research, and NFL odds references are to FanDuel Sportsbook. Statistics mentioned are via NextGenStats or Pro Football Focus unless stated otherwise.

Running Backs to Buy Low in Fantasy Football

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase Brown‘s start to the season hasn't lived up to expectations, making him one of my favorite buy-low running backs right now.

Brown has rushed 71 times for 246 yards through five games, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry, and he's scored just one touchdown. Those numbers aren't particularly appealing, but his usage has remained encouraging. Brown has also caught 24 passes for 124 yards, giving him 95 total touches in five appearances.

That's an average of 19.0 touches per game despite the Cincinnati Bengals‘ offense not yet getting much out of him on the ground. He has recorded at least 15 touches in every game and has already produced games with 20, 21, and 23 touches.

Cincinnati was on bye in Week 6, so Brown hasn't given his fantasy managers anything positive to react to since a 60-yard outing in a smash spot versus the Miami Dolphins in Week 5. If his current manager is losing patience, Brown is a quality RB to try to acquire via trade.

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Week 6 potentially created a small buying window on Kyren Williams.

Williams finished the Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Arizona Cardinals with only 10 carries for 50 yards and 3 receptions for 17 yards. His 13 touches were a season low, and he failed to score for just the second time in six games.

The larger sample is much more appealing. Williams has 393 rushing yards on 80 carries, an excellent 4.9 yards per attempt, while adding 30 receptions for 217 yards. That gives him 610 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns through six games.

His receiving role has been particularly valuable. Williams has drawn 34 targets over his past four games, including games of 7, 13, 8, and 6 targets.

One quiet week shouldn't erase that kind of all-purpose usage, and I'd see whether his Week 6 performance created any concern for his current manager.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bucky Irving‘s Week 6 stat line was ugly enough to make him worth testing the trade market for.

Irving handled 19 carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers but turned them into only 46 yards. He added 2 catches for 3 yards, finishing with just 49 scrimmage yards on 21 touches.

I care much more about the 21 touches than the 49 yards.

Irving has now logged at least 15 carries in five straight games, including 21 carries for 165 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. He's totaled 452 rushing yards on 96 attempts this season, good for 4.7 yards per carry, despite Sunday's dud. He has also chipped in 17 receptions and has three total touchdowns.

The passing-game role hasn't been as consistent lately, but Irving is still getting lead-back volume. A back who can command around 20 touches while averaging 4.7 yards per rush is someone I'm willing to bet on bouncing back.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson is a lower-cost target for fantasy managers who need running back depth.

Stevenson didn't give his managers much to be excited about in Week 6, rushing 14 times for only 36 yards against the New York Jets. He wasn't targeted in the passing game, either.

That follows a much better two-game stretch in which Stevenson accumulated 132 rushing yards, 6 catches for 48 yards, and two touchdowns. He has 71 carries for 263 yards and 15 receptions for 111 yards through six games.

There is real competition in this backfield, so Stevenson isn't someone I'd value as a locked-in RB2. That's also why his trade price should be manageable.

He's still seen at least 13 carries in each of the New England Patriots‘ past three games, and a back with that kind of weekly rushing workload plus some receiving upside can be useful once injuries and bye weeks begin to pile up.

Breece Hall, New York Jets

Breece Hall comes with plenty of risk, but his current injury makes him a buy-low option.

Hall has missed three consecutive games because of a quad injury, so this recommendation depends heavily on your roster being strong enough to wait for him. There is no reason to assume he'll return in Week 7 until his practice participation gives us a clearer picture.

Before getting hurt, Hall was heavily involved for the Jets. He handled 51 carries and caught all 10 of his targets across three games, giving him 61 touches in three starts. His rushing efficiency wasn't great at 3.2 yards per carry, but he still produced 265 scrimmage yards.

Hall's season opened with 22 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, and he followed that with 92 scrimmage yards on 21 touches versus the Green Bay Packers.

The extended absence is understandably going to make fantasy managers nervous. If Hall's manager needs immediate help to survive the upcoming bye weeks, though, this is exactly the type of situation where I'm willing to exchange a healthy but lower-upside option for a player who could regain a sizable workload once he's back.

Check out Austan Kas’ favorite fantasy football stashes.

Fantasy Football Buy-Low Running Backs FAQ

What does buy low mean in fantasy football?

Buying low means trading for a player whose perceived fantasy value is lower than his expected value going forward. This can happen because of a slow start, difficult matchups, injuries, or concerns about workload.

When is the best time to buy low on a running back?

The best opportunities often come after a running back has produced a few disappointing fantasy performances but still has an encouraging role. Usage, carries, targets, snap rate, and goal-line opportunities can be more important than the player's recent fantasy-point totals.

What should you look for in a buy-low running back?

Look for backs with strong workloads who haven't converted their opportunities into fantasy production. Receiving usage, red-zone touches, offensive-line play, upcoming schedule, and potential changes to the backfield can also help identify undervalued players.

Should you trade for a running back who is losing touches?

It depends on why his workload is declining. A temporary reduction caused by game script or injury may create a buying opportunity, but a permanent shift toward a committee can significantly lower a running back's fantasy ceiling.

New customers can get up to $350 in Bonus Bets — guaranteed — when you bet $5 every day for seven days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which bets stand out to you this week? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.