Fantasy Football Buy Low Running Backs: RB Breakout Candidates for Week 8

Fantasy Buy-Low Running Backs at a Glance

• Chase Brown, Bengals
• Chuba Hubbard, Panthers
• Saquon Barkley, Eagles

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

Chase Brown, Bengals

Chase Brown hasn't given fantasy managers many spike weeks this season, which makes him an intriguing trade target.

Brown finished with only 58 scrimmage yards in the Cincinnati Bengals' win over Baltimore, carrying 11 times for 39 yards while catching four passes for 19 yards.

The rushing production has admittedly been disappointing. Brown is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry this season and has only one rushing touchdown.

However, his receiving usage has kept his fantasy floor intact while giving him an enticing ceiling.

Brown caught 11 passes in Week 4, has recorded at least three receptions in five of six games, and owns a 15.4% target share this season. That's excellent passing-game involvement for a running back and gives him a better weekly outlook in PPR formats than his rushing numbers might suggest.

There's also room for positive touchdown regression. Brown has handled 82 carries and 28 receptions but has scored just once on the ground. If the touchdowns begin to follow the volume, his fantasy production could jump in a hurry.

Those TDs could come this week in a dreamy home date with the Titans.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Chuba Hubbard is coming off exactly the kind of outing we want to target when looking for a buy-low opportunity.

The Carolina Panthers got blown out by Tampa Bay, and Hubbard was limited to seven carries for 33 rushing yards. He salvaged a little value with four catches for 27 yards, but it was easily his least productive rushing workload of the season.

Don't let one ugly game script erase what we saw immediately beforehand.

Hubbard had handled 19, 20, and 28 carries in his previous three games, including consecutive performances with at least 120 rushing yards. His role also remains strong as he's accounted for roughly 73% of Carolina's weighted backfield opportunities this season.

His reduced snap count against Tampa Bay doesn't concern me much, either. Carolina trailed by such a wide margin that the Panthers emptied the bench.

In competitive games, Hubbard has consistently been treated like a workhorse.

If his fantasy manager sees seven carries and a single-digit fantasy outing and starts questioning his role, that's an opportunity to acquire a back who should continue seeing plenty of volume.

Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Saquon Barkley’s situation is worth exploring.

Barkley returned Monday night after missing two games with a hamstring injury. The Philadelphia Eagles understandably eased him back into action, and he finished with just seven carries and two receptions.

The encouraging part is what Barkley did with those opportunities.

He ripped off 62 rushing yards on those seven attempts, including a 29-yard gain, and found the end zone. That's 8.9 yards per carry in his first game back from a multi-week absence.

There's obvious risk here. Barkley's hamstring still needs to be monitored, and he might be dealing with a back issue, too, now. Plus, Philadelphia's offense probably won’t be very good the rest of the way with Jalen Hurts out.

But the Eagles' backfield depth has also been hammered by injuries, leaving Barkley with a path to heavy volume once he's fully healthy, and no Hurts should mean more goal-line chances for Barkley.

Barkley’s fantasy manager may view Barkley’s injuries, Philadelphia's struggles, and Monday's limited workload as reasons to move him. I'm viewing them as reasons Barkley might actually be attainable.

Check out our fantasy football stash list article for Week 8.

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.