The fantasy football picture for the Dallas Cowboys backfield will continue to be muddied all season. It's hard to know who to trust out of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Christine Michael in a given game. However, this week offers some clarity at the position. Randle likely won't suit up due to an oblique injury, which means veteran McFadden should get the start. Fantasy owners should not only expect him to get the bulk of the carries, but also the majority of the targets (out of the backfield) in the passing game.
"Without Joseph Randle on Sunday, Darren McFadden will take on a bigger role against the Seattle Seahawks," ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer wrote. "He already was going to be the Cowboys' starting running back after his 152-yard effort last week. Without Randle, he will have to serve a dual role because Christine Michael and Rod Smith don't have experience in the Cowboys' passing game. In last year's meeting against the Seahawks, DeMarco Murray ran 29 times for 115 yards, but the Cowboys' runners caught 11 passes for 80 yards. McFadden will be a busy man."
Dallas still boast one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, especially with talented rookie La'El Collins inserted into the starting lineup. Even with the absences of quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant, this line can open up running lanes. But just because McFadden is in line for a lot of work behind a great offensive line doesn't mean he's going to be a dependable fantasy start this weekend.
Seattle currently ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (94.1) and fifth in average yards per carry (3.7). They have allowed six total rushing touchdowns so far this season, though half of those came in their Week 6 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Still, the workload could outweigh the opponent.
"It's not a great matchup, of course, but based on usage in the passing game and the injury to Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden is a top-20 play for me this week against Seattle," ESPN Senior Fantasy analyst Matthew Berry wrote in his weekly Love/Hate column.
