Fantasy Football Buy Low Running Backs: RB Breakout Candidates for Week 2

Buy-Low Running Backs at a Glance

• Jadarian Price, Seahawks
• Blake Corum, Rams
• De'Von Achane, Dolphins

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.

While looking ahead at the games across the NFL, which running backs should we buy low on ahead of this week?

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

Jadarian Price, Seahawks

Jadarian Price (48%) split snaps with George Holani (46%) in Week 1, but I think there are reasons to believe this will be Price’s backfield sooner rather than later.

For one, Price out-played Holani in the season opener. Price looked sharp and quick whenever he got the ball, turning 10 carries into 52 yards. Holani, meanwhile, mustered just 29 yards on eight attempts.

Price looked capable as a pass-catcher, too, hauling in both of his targets — although it was Holani who dominated the passing downs as Price didn’t play on a single third or fourth down against the New England Patriots.

In addition to that, the Seattle Seahawks invested a first-round pick in Price, so they obviously didn’t love what they had in Holani and Zach Charbonnet, the latter of whom is currently out injured.

While Price’s Week 1 usage was meh, his performance was good, and I think he’s on his way to earning a bigger role.

Blake Corum, Rams

Blake Corum is another back who could wind up seeing a larger role down the line.

Corum logged a lowly 23% snap rate as he continued to operate behind Kyren Williams, but I think the game script was partly responsible for the large snap gap as the Los Angeles Rams got into a big hole, leading to a lot of passing-game work for Williams.

Given how good the Rams are, I’m not sure how many huge deficits they’ll face the rest of the way. That bodes well for Corum’s outlook as he and Williams split the carries pretty evenly — 11 for Williams and 10 for Corum. Despite having one fewer carry, Corum had 13 more rushing yards and looked pretty darn good as a runner.

While Corum’s lack of pass-game usage will cap his upside as long as Kyren is healthy, Corum should see more snaps moving forward and is still a top-end handcuff RB.

De'Von Achane, Dolphins

It feels a little weird to put a running back like De'Von Achane on a buy-low list after one game. But with how the Miami Dolphins‘ offense looked in Week 1, maybe the manager who drafted Achane wants out.

If that’s the case in your league, you should be ready to pounce.

Achane is one of the biggest home-run hitters in the NFL, and he handled an impressive 86% snap share in Week 1. He’s immune to game script because he’s an elite pass-catcher, and although Miami’s offense struggled in Week 1, they should improve in future weeks as all their new pieces start to gel.

Achane’s weekly floor may be a little lower than we’d like, but he’s still got a week-winning ceiling.

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.

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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.