New York Giants - Fantasy News

Week 6 Fantasy: Top 5 RB Sleepers

by Matt Zylbert

10/11/17

NFL

New York Giants

Wayne Gallman

Wayne Gallman (11.35 DFP Per Game in 2017)
Dober Projected Fantasy Points vs. Broncos: 10.0

One of the main takeaways from the NFL last week was how rookie Wayne Gallman passed his first test with flying colors while serving as the starting running back in place of an injured Paul Perkins in New York. Orleans Darkwa was also nicked up, meaning Gallman could have a gaudy workload in store for this week's action.

On 16 touches (11 rushes and five receptions), Gallman totaled a respectable 82 yards, but it's a smart bet to think that he'll absolutely receive more work than that based on the Giants' woeful injury luck from Week 5. Not only are Perkins and Darkwa hurt, but the Giants lost their top two receivers, Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall, for the year as well as Dwayne Harris.

With little depth at receiver and running back, a heavy reliance on the 23-year-old out of Clemson looms. Considering his price on Dober Play Cards, that makes him one of the best bargains of the weekend—even in a tough road matchup at Denver.

Aaron Jones (7.95 DFP Per Game in 2017)
Dober Projected Fantasy Points vs. Vikings: 12.0

In his first career start in Week 5, Aaron Jones played very well against a solid Cowboys defense on the road. He carried the rock 19 times for an impressive 125 yards and a touchdown. He also had one reception for nine yards, looking like the sure lead back while Ty Montgomery remains sidelined.

Montgomery’s absence figures to extend another week, and while a date with the Vikings is far from desirable, the 2017 fifth-round draft pick figures to get a large workload for the second straight game. After all, he was in on 53 of 60 snaps for Green Bay on Sunday, so owners need not worry about Jamaal Williams stealing many touches.

Green Bay is one of those rare teams in which its skill players are worth firing up no matter who it is playing. This rivalry game opposite Minnesota is no exception. Look for Aaron Rodgers and Co. to have their usual success, with the new Aaron—Aaron Jones—playing a considerable role once again.

Alvin Kamara (11.25 DFP Per Game in 2017)
Dober Projected Fantasy Points vs. Lions: 12.5

With Adrian Peterson jettisoned out of town, that means even more opportunity for the two remaining backs in New Orleans, Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Ingram, however, is a bit more costly, making Kamara the better value when analyzing the backfield for the Saints heading into their likely shootout with the Lions in Week 6.

New Orleans is coming off of its bye week, but Kamara logged career highs in receptions (10), targets (10) and receiving yards (71) in the team’s last game. In addition to a receiving score, he added five carries for 25 yards. His numbers are only going to expand with Peterson gone, so owners would be wise to start employing his services as early as possible before his price shoots up. Given the matchup, this is a great week to capitalize right away.

Jerick McKinnon (6.44 DFP Per Game in 2017)
Dober Projected Fantasy Points vs. Packers: 9.5

When Dalvin Cook went down, a premium spot in the Minnesota backfield suddenly opened up, leaving fantasy owners to wonder who would get the bulk of the work moving forward: Jerick McKinnon or Latavius Murray?

After this past week's Monday Night Football contest, it's already obvious who the big winner was from Cook's unfortunate season-ending injury. McKinnon diced up a solid Bears defense, picking up 95 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He also registered six receptions for 51 yards. The former third-round draft pick has a good shot of keeping that momentum going, as he draws a Packers defense that has surrendered more rushing yards per game (121.4) than all but three NFC clubs. If Sam Bradford has to miss another week, which seems likely, the Vikings will probably lean on their running game even more.

Adrian Peterson (2.38 DFP Per Game in 2017)
Dober Projected Fantasy Points vs. Buccaneers: 6.5

Sometimes, all that's needed for a player to break out is a change of scenery. This could be the case for future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson. The longtime Minnesota Viking was dealt by the New Orleans Saints to the Arizona Cardinals in a move that figures to jumpstart what has been a sluggish campaign for the 32-year-old veteran.

While Peterson struggled in New Orleans by averaging a mere three yards per carry, he wasn't really a fit in the team’s pass-happy offense, and he never received a chance to get into a groove. Peterson averaged only about seven touches per contest.

In Arizona, however, he'll get all the work he can handle. The Cardinals sport a power scheme that will better suit his talents. While Andre Ellington should remain very involved out of the backfield as well, he's mainly a pass-catching back, which should leave plenty of carries to Peterson. With this move likely to rejuvenate AP immediately, owners might want to give him a shot as early as this week.