Week 10 vs Miami
DeMarco Murray ran for 83 yards and a TD last week and added six catches for 78 yards on seven targets. It was Murray's best fantasy performance of the year, and it was no surprise it came against his old team.
Murray's stock should stay up this week. The Eagles host the Dolphins, who are 32nd in allowing fantasy points to RBs, so this is a potentially great matchup. And, Murray finally seems to have gotten going in his first year with the Eagles. Murray is ranked as a lower-end RB1 this week. Ryan Mathews should continue to steal work, which will cap Murray's production. Over his last four games, Murray is averaging close to 20 carries a game and averaging about six targets during that same span.
Week 9 at Dallas
Back in Week 7, DeMarco Murray had 18 carries for 65 yards in a loss to the Panthers. Once again, Ryan Mathews proved to be the better runner in that game. This week, Murray takes on his old team on the road in Dallas with likely a lot to prove.
He struggled for just two yards on 13 carries the last time the teams met back in Week 2, but the Eagles running game has improved since them. Over the last three games, Murray is getting 20 carries per game, so look for him to at least come close to that mark again. Mathew will likely steal some work, but Murray is ranked as a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 in a pretty good matchup, as the Cowboys are 19th in allowing fantasy points to RBs.
Week 7 at Carolina
DeMarco Murray broke the 100-yard mark with 22 carries for 109 yards and a TD last week. It was his third rushing TD this year and second in the last two weeks. He also added three catches for 14 yards on four targets.
It's the kind of game we were expecting from Murray from the start. He has 42 carries for 191 yards and two TDs over the last two weeks, so he's starting to come around. He's perhaps even more involved in the passing game than we thought with 10 catches for 51 yards over the last two weeks. The Panthers are just 21st in allowing fantasy points to RBs, so it's actually not a bad matchup this week and Murray is a solid RB2 option.
Week 6 vs Dallas
DeMarco Murray put together his best fantasy game last week, running 20 times for 83 yards and adding a TD. He caught seven balls for 37 yards as well.
While the numbers were there for Murray, he did leave some "meat on the bone" according to those who follow the team, and he's still not making a lot of good reads. The line played better, and the numbers give some hope to owners that the old Murray will return sooner rather than later. This week, Murray gets the Giants at home on Monday night, who are 11th in allowing fantasy points to RBs. Murray is a low-end RB1 to high-end RB2 this week, who is hopefully trending upward in value and once again seems safe for lineups.
Week 5 vs. New Orleans
DeMarco Murray carried the ball eight times for 36 yards last week and caught two balls for 12 yards. His 4.5 yards per carry was his best so far this season, but it was again limited work as the Eagles just didn't stick with running the ball much of the game.
Murray falls in our rankings this week and is in the middle of a four-game stretch of tough rushing matchups. This week, the Saints rank ninth in allowing fantasy points to RBs. In fact, the Eagles are on pace for four straight contest of teams in the top-10 in this department, ending next week with the third ranked Giants. Murray campaigned for more touches this week, but this offensive line and the run game just aren't clicking right now (making Murray a risky play as anything other than a flex).
Week 3 at Detroit
DeMarco Murray didn't have a great Week 1 in terms of rushing yards, but at least made up for it with two TDs. Week 2 was a different story as he carried the ball 13 times for just two yards and didn't have TDs to boost his fantasy totals. He added five catches for 53 yards.
News broke Wednesday that Murray is having an MRI on his hamstring, so it may end up an easy decision for owners who were wondering if they should keep Murray out of lineups in what is a tough matchup on top of all of the struggles. The Jets are sixth in allowing fantasy points to RBs, and Murray comes in just 26th on our list. Ryan Mathews would get a boost if Murray can't play, so owners should be sure to check out his status leading up to Sunday's early contest.
Week 2 vs. Dallas
Week 1 wasn't the type of game DeMarco Murray owners are used to. Without the two TDs Murray produced, his fantasy owners would have been stuck with roughly one point from yardage in typical leagues as he carried the ball eight times for nine yards and caught four balls for 11 yards. Two TDs saved the day for owners, though.
This week, Murray faces his former team and the Eagles should be ready to give him more carries and touches in Week 2. The Cowboys are 20th in fantasy points allowed to RBs, so this is a good matchup as it's also the team's home opener against a division rival. Murray is fourth on our RB list this week.
Week 1 at Atlanta
DeMarco Murray will make his Eagles debut Monday night against the Falcons and starts off strong in our rankings coming in as a RB1 play (eighth overall). The Falcons are 31st in allowing fantasy points to RBs so this is a potential juicy matchup for owners. The Eagles like to run a lot of plays, so Murray will still get his share of work with Ryan Mathew cutting into his production. Murray is going to be a safe week-to-week play and should be in store for a good game in Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
Staying in the NFC East this year, DeMarco Murray makes the move from Dallas to Philly in 2015 to try to defend his 2014 rushing title. Murray replaces LeSean McCoy in the Eagles backfield and should be a great fit. Part of McCoy’s issue was he didn’t always hit the holes, running more side-to-side in search of the big play. So Murray’s north-south running style is believed to be a perfect fit for Chip Kelly’s offense. The Eagles like to run a lot of plays in a quick amount of time and Murray figures to be a big part of the running game.
Fantasy Downside
The Eagles also signed Ryan Mathews in the offseason, and it’s believed he’ll cut into Murray’s workload a bit. While the good news there is there will be plenty of plays for both backs, it doesn’t look like the Eagles want Murray to approach the 450 touches he had last season. Darren Sproles is still part of the RB group and should go back to being a pass-catching threat which will also cut into Murray’s production.
Bottom Line
Murray is ranked near the bottom of our top-10 backs, making him a low-end RB1 who will be around at the top or middle of the second round. You’ll hear a lot of talk about Murray losing touches, but he’ll still get his share of work given how the Eagles offense operates. Mathews is certainly a wildcard here, given he’s capable of being a lead back when healthy. However, based on what the Eagles paid Murray, he should pay off his second round price tag.
Week 19: Murray vs Packers
The Cowboys still plan to ride DeMarco Murray in the post season, but they are also going to take what the defense gives them and Detroit wasn't willing to give them the run last week. Murray still was able to rush for 75 yards on 18 carries but his yards per carry were below his season average.
The Packers are not as stout defensively against the run and are 13th in aFPA to running backs. Expect Murray to be back over 20 carries as they Cowboys have had success controlling the ball on the road. Murray has been the best fantasy running back all season and that does not change in the divisional round. Start Murray as the No. 1 fantasy running back in Week 19.
