Daily Fantasy Football 2015: Rookie and Sleeper RBs to Target Early This Season

The prices are posted, and that can only mean the first week of the 2015 NFL regular season is almost here. Daily fantasy football is back, and DraftKings is offering a variety of contests—including the $10M Millionaire Maker.

When creating a lineup, deciding whether or not to roster a couple of elite running backs can be a difficult decision, and perhaps you ultimately pass on Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, Eddie Lacy and Marshawn Lynch.

If that's the route you choose, then thrifty options are available. Five players in particular have the potential to score touchdowns or grab a handful of passes, a valuable trait since DraftKings runs on a points-per-reception (PPR) system.

The following players are cheap options who can make a difference in your lineup early on this season.

Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons: $4,300

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Although the Atlanta Falcons selected Tevin Coleman in the 2015 NFL draft, Devonta Freeman is the favorite to claim the starting position.

Not only will Matt Ryan regularly target Freeman out of the backfield, but ESPN's Vaughn McClure says the Florida State product "will be the go-to guy in short-yardage situations."

Freeman's first matchup comes against the Philadelphia Eagles, who allowed the most receiving touchdowns to running backs last season, per FF Toolbox.

Coleman and Antone Smith will receive some touches, too, but in what figures to be a high-scoring affair with Philadelphia, Freeman is an appealing, affordable and versatile choice.

Chris Ivory, New York Jets: $4,100

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It's not often a featured runner is available at Chris Ivory's price.

Bilal Powell and Zac Stacy are the backups, so the New York Jets don't have a better option until Stevan Ridley returns following an ACL injury. Consequently, the offense should be leaning on Ivory as the every-down guy.

During Week 1, New York hosts the Cleveland Browns, a defense that allowed a league-worst 141.6 yards per outing last season.

Ivory isn't an explosive back, but he's a hard-nosed runner who's no longer part of a timeshare and is the clear-cut option on the goal line.

Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions: $4,000

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Hype, hype and more hype. That's the story of Ameer Abdullah's first preseason with the Detroit Lions.

The rookie will split time with Joique Bell and serve as a change-of-pace back, especially in passing situations. Considering the Detroit backfield averaged 7.4 catches per outing last season, Abdullah will have opportunities to shine.

However, he won't be limited to third-down duties. In addition to receiving handoffs, Abdullah has worked as a kick and punt returner throughout the preseason.

It doesn't matter how Abdullah gets the ball in his hands, and the important part is Detroit's coaching staff has consistently found ways to keep him involved. There's no reason to suggest that won't remain the case once the 2015 campaign officially begins.

Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers: $3,700

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Melvin Gordon will receive a majority of the touches, but the rookie's mediocre blocking and unproven hands means Danny Woodhead will be a fixture in the lineup—right away, too.

Even though the Lions lost Ndamukong Suh, it won't be easy to pound the ball against Detroit. Ziggy Ansah, Haloti Ngata, Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy lead the strong returning unit.

Additionally, Detroit's secondary will test Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd and Stevie Johnson, so the checkdown—Woodhead—will be an important target.

According to FF Toolbox, Detroit allowed the fourth-most receptions to running backs in 2014. That's about as ideal a matchup as Woodhead can possibly have.

Duke Johnson, Cleveland Browns: $3,000

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Trusting a Browns player isn't easy, but Duke Johnson is the pass-catching back the offense didn't have last season.

Between Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell and Terrence West, the Cleveland backfield was targeted only 37 times. Johnson snagged 38 passes as a junior at Miami, and Browns running back coach Wilbert Montgomery has been fawning over the rookie.

"He gives you another dimension that we don't have in the group that we had last year because Duke can be a slot receiver, he can line up wide and you can move him all over the field," Montgomery said, per ESPN's Pat McManamon. "It's like he's a total mismatch."

Carefully monitor his status—he left a preseason game with a concussion—but Johnson could be a steal if he's healthy for the opener.

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Follow Bleacher Report CFB and DFS Writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.