Week 6 Running Backs: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

It seems like every other week there are a ton of injuries in the NFL. This week was no exception with injuries to brand names like Reggie Bush, Rashad Jennings, and  Montee Ball. Donald Brown also went down, but given how he's performed I'm not sure anyone was too upset.

What do these injuries mean for you and your fantasy team? If you owned them, you're probably spending the rest of the night trying to forget what happened. Let me highlight some waiver wire running backs who might help the sun come up tomorrow.

 

Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Andre Williams (RB, NYG) - 36% owned on Fleaflicker

Admittedly he may be the first one I highlight on this article because of my Giants fan bias, or maybe it's because I talked about him last week. So what has Andre "Future 2000" Williams done this week to earn my admiration?

In relief of Rashad Jennings who left the game with a knee injury, he rushed 20 times for 65 yards and a touchdown. He also looked pretty solid in the pass game catching both of his targets for a total of 18 yards. Early reports are that the knee injury is not serious for Rashad. However, I think Andre Williams has played well enough to see an increased role even with Rashad in the mix.

Just keep in mind that Andre is not really a change-of-pace back as he and Rashad are both built very similarly weighing in at 230 pounds plus. Williams is an outstanding athlete, and actually profiles very similarly to Eddie Lacy in that he's built and runs like a house. With the Giants looking great in the run game, if Rashad misses any significant amount of time then Andre Williams could be a top 20 back.

 

Antone Smith (RB, ATL) - 22% owned on Fleaflicker

The Falcons backfield is very hard to figure out. They have four talented backs in Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, Devonta Freeman, and Antone Smith. I've mentioned Antone Smith before in this column, but given his ownership rates you guys clearly either skimmed over it or don't trust me.

Smith has a touchdown in four of the five games he's played. That's even more impressive when you consider the limited amount of snaps that he has been playing this season. You'd think after this 74-yard touchdown run after the catch Antone Smith has earned himself increased playing time. If the Falcons want to earn their wings without drinking red bull they'll have to get the ball to Antone Smith more.

Four touchdowns in five games can hardly be called a fluke at this point. Smith is the real deal and he should be owned in any league that is 12 teams or deeper. While Smith is the most talented back on the Falcons, don't expect him to become the lead back. That job belongs to Steven Jackson until he retires. However, based on speed that ranks in the 78th percentile for running backs, Antone Smith is a great change-of-pace back and should continue to put up solid points.

 

Branden Oliver (RB, SD) - 5% owned on Fleaflicker

I mentioned Branden Oliver as a potential pick-up last week and he paid dividends immediately. After Donald Brown went down for the Chargers with a concussion, Oliver asked for and received more carries and put up a huge day. Mr. Oliver ate up the #1 ranked Jets defense like it was the last bowl of porridge to the tune of 19 rushes for 114 yards and a touchdown. In case that wasn't enough, he added 4 receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. While all the injuries to the Chargers backfield have been unfortunate, it may have done them a favor in unearthing Oliver.

Oliver is a Darren Sproles type back, aka not built like a feature back. But he is drawing very favorable comparisons to Spoles and given how Sproles has played this year I'd say that's pretty good company for someone who is only 5 % owned.  Also, Oliver's 18 touches are enough to have confidence that the Chargers won't hesitate from using him frequently.

Let's also not forget that Branden Oliver "twist" and the Chargers face the Raiders next week. You know, that team that just fired their coach after a few games because they're off to such a poor start? Oliver should be near the top of your waiver wire pickups list in 12 team leagues or deeper.  In FAAB leagues, don't bid too crazy as Ryan Matthews is expected back in Week 8 or 9, but Oliver can definitely provide a short term jolt.

 

Additional Waiver Wire Targets: Bid / Claim With Hesitation

Bobby Rainey (RB, TB) - 51% owned on Fleaflicker

The running back by committee approach in Tampa Bay just refuses to resolve itself. Just when we thought Doug Martin had really cemented himself as the lead back, Rainey comes along and complicates the picture again. Rainey rushed 6 times for 21 yards and a TD. That line isn't overly impressive minus the TD, but he did also have 3 catches for 21 yards. To be fair, Doug Martin still looked better than Rainey in this game, he just didn't have the TD.

However, Martin is more widely owned than Rainey, so Rainey is the one you can probably pick up. If you're desperate for a running back play in PPR leagues, then Rainey may be your guy. If you're a Martin owner and you don't own Rainey as a handcuff you're doing it wrong. Another waiver wire running back in Tampa Bay to watch is Charles Sims when he comes back. According to many scouts Sims is the real deal. At 6'0" and 214 pounds, Sims' athleticism compares favorably to Demarco Murray according to playerprofiler.com, and he could potentially steal away the treasured featured back role from both Rainey and Martin in due time.

 

George Winn (RB, DET) - 0% owned on Fleaflicker

Reggie Bush was supposed to take off against the Bills with Joique Bell out of the picture for a bit. Unfortunately, Bush had to go and do a silly thing and get injured. Bush claims his ankle injury is not that serious, but it's pretty hard to run on a bum ankle. The third back on the depth chart, Theo Riddick, is dealing with a hamstring issue. So who is it that came in to run for the Lions with their entire running back corps banged up? None other than undrafted rookie George Winn.

While it was nice to see Winn rush 11 times for 48 yards, don't get overly excited. One or more of those guys is bound to heal up relatively soon. There's also a reason that Winn was undrafted. He ranks towards the bottom tiers in most running back athletic metrics except for his strength. However, if Bush, Bell and Riddick miss next week against the Vikings, look for Winn to have a decent showing.

 

Denver Broncos Running Backs

With Montee Ball leaving Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals with a serious groin strain, it was Ronnie Hillman (24% owned on Fleaflicker) who took over primary rushing duties for the Broncos. Hillman rushed 15 times for 64 yards which is by no means a bad showing. However, C.J. Anderson (6% owned on Fleaflicker) was a healthy inactive for the game and Juwan Thompson (0% owned) rushed 3 times for 15 yards and a touchdown.

Hillman is the smallest of the 3 backs, but based on Broncos depth chart I would expect him to lead the committee while Ball is out. Early reports are Ball will be out for a while so if I was taking a shot in the dark I'd target Hillman. Just be wary of Anderson and and Thompson, as they could just as easily take over the lead role with Ball out and a few Hillman struggles. In fact, they may all end up being more effective rushers than Ball. The only thing I can say with any certainty about the Broncos backfield situation is that people like myself who drafted or traded for Ball this year are not feeling like ballers right now

 

New Orleans Saints Running Backs

All three of Khiry Robison (52% owned on Fleaflicker), Pierre Thomas (78% owned on Fleaflicker), and Travaris Cadet (2% owned on Fleaflicker) had huge games for the Saints this week. However, much like the Saints passing attack there are just too many mouths to feed in the Saints backfield.  For all the offense weapons they have it's pretty impressive that the Saints almost lost to the Bucs today. Did someone remember to tell Drew Brees that he had a bunch of playmakers?

There's also the fact that Mark Ingram will be back eventually complicating things further. I wouldn't want to try to gamble on which one of these running backs are going to have a big game. Especially since Brees has so many options in the passing attack that the Saints may not even run it enough. However, if I had to pick one to own personally I'd be going with Khiry Robinson. When your best comparable is Arian Foster you must be doing something right.

 

Honorary Mentions: Benny Cunningham (RB, STL) - 27% owned on Fleaflicker, Ben Tate (RB, CLE) - 76% owned on Fleaflicker (he may have been dropped), and Chris Ogbonnya (RB, CAR) - 2% owned on Fleaflicker.

 

Closing Thoughts For Week 6

Injuries have really opened up some time for some lesser known guys. Be quick on the waiver wire and you may get lucky. Just don't be too quick in certain situations (such as the Broncos or the Saints), or you may get stuck with the wrong guy. As always, feel free to hit me @RekedFantasy to ask any running back or fantasy football questions you have. Until next week RotoBallers.