The Final Spot: Running Back Edition - Who To Fill Your Last Spot

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Once you get down to your last roster spot you feel like if you can make this last pick a good one that you've got a head up on the competition.  When it comes to running backs, it helps if you can really nail both spots with solid players.  While you won't be able to pick up the top tier RB's with less than $7,000, you can still pick a very solid fantasy producer with your last pick.

Giovanni Bernard  $6700

Bernard is the first running back on the board for under $7,000 and he's got a lot going in his favor. The Bengals are coming off their bye week well rested.  Their matchup is a game versus the Patriots in New England which would have scared most of us away a few years ago.  But Jamaal Charles and company put those fears to rest last night.  New England gave up over 200 all purpose yards and three touchdowns to Charles and Knile Davis and nearly did the same thing in Week 1 against Lamar Miller and Knowshon Moreno.  While Bernard isn't Jamaal Charles, he is better than any of the other running backs (besides Charles) that the Patriots have faced.  Aside from that, the Patriots will have to worry about the other offensive threats that the Bengals bring which could open some things up for Bernard.  There is a small concern that Jeremy Hill will take some production away from Bernard, but again it's very minimal.  Bernard is the lead back and will have a good day.

Andre Ellington  $5600

At $1100 less, Ellington makes for a nice choice with your last spot and might allow you to go back and upgrade at another spot.  Ellington and the Cardinals are also coming off their bye week and face a Denver Broncos team that is coming off of their bye.  Like the Bengals, the Cardinals are looking to keep their undefeated season alive.  The Broncos have given up 100+ yards each week to opposing running backs and three running back touchdowns on the season.  Unlike Bernard, Ellington is THE guy for the Cardinals.  He's not going to be sharing the load with anybody.  While he doesn't have a touchdown yet, he does have some nice yardage totals and I wouldn't be surprised to see him reach the end zone this Sunday.

After comparing these two players I think I would go with Bernard even though he is the more expensive option.  The Bengals are a running team.  They're going to run even if they're behind and their certainly going to run if they are ahead.  The Cardinals on the other hand like to see how far and how many times Carson Palmer can fling it.  Ellington should be fine, but it's much more likely that the Bengals will run the ball more than the Cardinals will.  You can't go wrong with either guy, but I would go with Bernard.