RADIO
After seven weeks of the regular season, some of you have been able to embrace the numbers that have been assembled by the running backs that are contained on your rosters. Unfortunately, an increasing number of fantasy managers have encountered injuries, while others have contended with disappointing output due to a collection of unexpected developments.
The re-emergence of bye weeks has now provided another challenge that will fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That includes the two teams that will be affected this week – Kansas City and the Los Angeles Chargers. This ensures that anyone with Austin Ekeler, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, or Isiah Pacheco on their rosters will have to avoid starting those backs this week. You should also be aware that backs from six teams will be absent due to their byes in Week 9.
This week's recommendations will appear in three tiers, beginning with the most enticing and progressing to options for managers that are struggling with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be dropped in order for you to secure your replacements. After you've finished this breakdown, you can also find news updates and data-fueled analysis that is designed to help you maximize the scoring potential of your rosters.
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Upcoming Bye Weeks
Week 8: Chiefs, Chargers
Week 9: Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Giants, Steelers, 49ers
Week 10: Ravens, Bengals, Patriots, Jets
Week 11: Jaguars, Dolphins, Seahawks, Buccaneers
Week 13: Cardinals, Panthers
Week 14: Falcons, Bears, Packers, Colts, Saints, Commanders
Frontrunners - Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR leagues.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens - 33% Rostered
THE GUS BUS IS BACK❗️❗️❗️
Tune in on CBS! @GodsGiftGus13 pic.twitter.com/XMA7aPiv5i
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 23, 2022
Edwards has soared back onto the fantasy landscape in the aftermath of his impressive return when Baltimore hosted Cleveland in Week 7. He had been activated from the physically unable-to-perform list before the Ravens' matchup with their AFC North rival. This coincided with the placement of J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve, as Dobbins is now expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.
This propelled Edwards onto the field for the first time since he sustained a torn ACL in September of 2021 and he operated with a 36% snap share. Edwards also led Baltimore in rushing attempts (16) and maximized his opportunity by accumulating a team-high 66 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
GUS BUS KEEPS ROLLING 🚌🚌
Tune in on CBS! @GodsGiftGus13 pic.twitter.com/7WyrMVBom0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 23, 2022
Kenyan Drake was limited to a 27% snap share, 11 carries and just five rushing yards while Justice Hill carried five times, accumulated 26 rushing yards, and lost a fumble. Edwards' involvement should remain at a level that exceeds the 9.6 attempts per game average that he registered during his first three seasons in the league - even if he is sharing touches with Drake and Hill.
That is still sufficient for Edwards to function as an RB2/RB3 for fantasy managers which has launched him among the top priorities on this week’s waiver wire.
D'Onta Foreman, Carolina Panthers - 45% Rostered
Christian McCaffrey’s exodus to San Francisco has forced a massive transformation within Carolina’s backfield. This has resulted in a reshaped rotation that has vaulted the Foreman into a substantial role for the Panthers. The 6’1”, 235-pound Foreman secured a 54% snap share and led the team's reconstructed backfield in touches (17) even though he shared opportunities with Chuba Hubbard.
That man was ready 😅 pic.twitter.com/QkscN8A7xn
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 24, 2022
Foreman accumulated a team-high 15 rushing attempts and also paced the Panthers with 118 rushing yards when the team hosted Tampa Bay in Week 7. Foreman also collected both of his targets and produced 27 yards as a receiver.
Foreman had flourished as Tennessee’s primary back when Derrick Henry suffered a foot fracture last season as Foreman finished sixth in rushing yardage (482/80.3 per game), and seventh in attempts (110/18.3 per game) from Weeks 12-18.
Hubbard also accrued 11 touches and assembled 73 total yards against the Buccaneers, and should receive a respectable percentage of touches on a weekly basis. However, Foreman is available in over 55% of all leagues and has now been elevated into consideration among the frontrunners on the Week 8 waiver wire.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 36% Rostered
Foreman has emerged as one of this week’s backs to prioritize following his impressive performance. However, Hubbard can also be secured if you are attempting to locate a flex option for your upcoming matchups. Hubbard joined Foreman in a timeshare in Week 7, as the Panthers transitioned into their initial installment of the post-McCaffrey era.
The tandem combined for 24 rushing attempts., 181 rushing yards, five targets, and 37 receiving yards. That included Hubbard’s involvement, as the second-year back played on 46% of Carolina’s offensive snaps, carried nine times, assembled 63 yards, and produced a touchdown. Hubbard also collected two of his three targets and amassed 10 additional yards as a receiver.
Leap in @Hubbard_RMN 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Wre3brNM6G
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 23, 2022
Hubbard was originally listed as the starter but later sustained an ankle sprain during the Week 7 matchup. This contributed to Foreman eventually securing team highs in multiple categories. The ankle will not impact Hubbard's availability when Carolina travels to Atlanta on Sunday and the timeshare does not preclude fantasy managers from targeting Hubbard for their rosters this week.
In The Running - Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs - 51% Rostered
Clyde Edwards-Helaire entered Week 7 leading the Chiefs’ backfield in snap share (44%), rushing attempts (59/9.8 per game), rushing yardage (257/42.7 per game), targets (18/3.6 per game), receiving yards (137/27.4 per game), and routes run (65).
However, Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon, have loomed as both potential candidates to secure larger roles. This seemed particularly true regarding Pacheco, whose potential for explosiveness provided the prospects that Andy Reid would be compelled to distribute more touches to the promising rookie.
Pacheco did become the starter when Kansas City traveled to San Francisco in Week 7 and attained a season-high 30% snap share. He also the Chiefs’ backfield in rushing attempts (8) and rushing yardage (43). Edwards-Helaire functioned with a 27% snap share, and carried six times, while also producing 32 yards and a touchdown.
Made quick work of that one 😮💨
📺: #KCvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/Q3uhivLI20
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 23, 2022
McKinnon led the backfield in snap share (44%), targets (3), and receptions (2), but was limited to two carries and 12 rushing yards, Pacheco infuses energy into Kansas City‘s backfield whenever he enters the field and his potential to eventually receive an expanded role in the Chiefs’ high-octane attack provides your motivation to add him this week.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 31% Rostered
White remains embedded directly below Leonard Fournette on Tampa Bay’s depth chart. This provides a clear path toward a massive workload usage if Fournette becomes unavailable during the weeks ahead.
White’s snap shares in Weeks 4-5 had approached the periphery of 40% (38%/39%) in Weeks 4-5, but his share plunged to 22% in Week 6. However, he operated with a season-high share in Week 7 (43%) while generating a team-high 24 rushing yards when the Buccaneers traveled to Carolina. He has also accumulated 26 attempts, 71 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown since Week 1 while capturing 14 of his 19 targets.
Rachaad White scores his first NFL TD! #GoBucs
📺: #KCvsTB on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/o84hsBqv8I pic.twitter.com/oSc5WGFZXw— NFL (@NFL) October 3, 2022
Those numbers are not sufficient for White to be placed in your lineups. However, he is capable of delivering borderline RB1 production if he would be elevated into Tampa Bay’s lead-back responsibilities. Fournette has now accumulated 103 attempts (14.7 per game), and a receiver (39 targets/5.6 per game), (185 routes), as he continues to operate as the Buccaneers’ primary back.
That provides the motivation for seizing White, as he would not encounter completion for touches if Fournette would be sidelined for any reason. This keeps him entrenched among the backs that should be targeted on this week’s waiver wire.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 40% Rostered
Atlanta’s backfield has recently emerged among the most challenging to navigate from a fantasy standpoint as Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley have shared touches in Arthur Smith's backfield rotation.
The Falcon backfield should soon be overflowing with additional options for Smith to deploy as Cordarrelle Patterson could return in Week 9 (knee) while Damien Williams (ribs) could re-emerge this week. However, Allgeier’s performance during Atlanta’s Week 7 matchup with the Bengals should not be overlooked. Allgeier established season-highs in snap share (62%), and rushing attempts (16), while generating 50 yards and his first career touchdown.
First career touchdown for @tylerallgeier17.
📺: FOX || NFL+ #ATLvsCIN || #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/TkiHwJxnB9
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 23, 2022
It was the third straight week that Allgeier has been entrusted with 13+ carries while he has also averaged 58 yards per game during his last four contests. He has performed sufficiently with his rushing attempts to justify continued usage even if Smith elevates Patterson into a substantial role when he resurfaces. However, Allgeier will not sustain his recent workload if Patterson and Williams are also accumulating touches.
Allgeier remains available in 60% of all leagues and would still operate as a potential resource for fantasy managers - even if he is sharing touches - as bye weeks, injuries, and other unwanted developments transpire during the upcoming weeks.
Dark Horses - Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of running backs that can be added if you are willing to wait for the possibility of a larger role during the year or consider your situation to be desperate due to injuries.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - 7% Rostered
Warren seized his opportunity to become Najee Harris’ direct backup during August, and he continues to operate with an uncontested path toward an extensive workload if Harris is unavailable during Pittsburgh’s remaining matchups.
These factors have sustained Warren’s presence in this column since the undrafted free agent bypassed Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland to earn RB2 responsibilities for the Steelers. There is no discernible threat to Warren’s role, which presents fantasy managers with an enticing handcuff option.
Warren’s snap shares have fluctuated between 20%-51% during the season. He has also carried 23 times while generating 103 rushing yards, and has yet to deliver standalone value. However, Harris has carried 100 times (14.3 per game) while accumulating 329 rushing yards (47 per game) entering Week 8, and Warren would assemble comparable numbers if he were to operate in the same capacity.
That would vault Warren into borderline high-end RB2 status for fantasy managers if that situation transpires. He somehow remains available in 93% of all leagues and should be secured on all rosters.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams - 29% Rostered
Williams carried 415 times while accumulating 2,127 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns during his final two seasons at Notre Dame. He also collected 77 receptions and generated 672 receiving yards during that sequence, and the Rams traded up to secure him in Round 5 of April’s NFL Draft (164th overall).
Williams sustained a broken foot in June, then suffered a high-ankle sprain during the team’s season opener. He remains on injured reserve but should eventually surface in the Rams’ backfield rotation. This will provide the 5’9”, 195-pound Williams with an opportunity to display his capabilities as both a rusher and pass-catcher.
The extraction of Cam Akers from the backfield equation has positioned Williams to commandeer an ongoing role within the reshaped Los Angeles rotation, as Sean McVay should adjust the percentage of carries that are distributed within the backfield when Williams becomes available.
Once Williams has been designated to return from injured reserve that will launch a 21-day window for the promising newcomer to be activated. This supplies the rationale for adding Williams this week before a larger percentage of fantasy managers become focused on seizing Williams for their rosters.
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears - 53% Rostered
Fantasy managers have been dropping Herbert from their rosters since David Montgomery re-emerged from his ankle injury (Week 5). That has created a surge in Herbert’s availability as he is now available in 47% of all leagues.
Herbert has averaged 6.4 yards per attempt while accumulating 402 yards (67 per game) with his 63 attempts (10.5 per game). That includes his usage and production in Weeks 3-4 when Montgomery was contending with his ankle injury.
Herbert became a popular roster addition during Montgomery’s absence as he led all backs in rushing yardage (234 yards/117 per game) and finished seventh in attempts (39/19.5 per game) during that two-game sequence. Herbert has been limited to 11 attempts since Montgomery’s return but has still run efficiently (85 yards/7.1 per attempt).
Herbert’s workload could expand as the season progresses. He is also among the league’s most proficient handcuffs and would also rise to RB/RB3 status if Montgomery becomes unavailable once again.
Also-Rans - It Is Time To Say Goodbye
These running backs can be dropped in order to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 56% Rostered
San Francisco’s blockbuster trade for Christian McCaffrey has ignited a massive shake-up within the 49ers' backfield rotation. This includes the negative impact that McCaffrey’s arrival will have on Wilson's workload moving forward.
The fifth-year back had been operating with a 59% snap share since Elijah Mitchell sustained a sprained MCL during the 49ers’ season opener. Wilson had accumulated 81 rushing attempts (13.5 per game) and had generated 400 rushing yards (67 per game) while easily leading San Francisco in both categories.
Willson did carry seven times in Week 7, but was limited to a season-low 33% snap share. McCaffrey accumulated 10 touches and a team-high eight rushing attempts - just three days after the trade was completed. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch just dispensed four draft picks to Carolina for the opportunity to utilize McCaffrey, and should not inhibit his involvement by relegating him to a timeshare with Wilson moving forward. This will reduce Wilson’s opportunities to a level that will prevent him from operating as a resource for fantasy managers.
It also appears that Elijah Mitchell is on track to re-emerge from injured reserve in early November. Mitchell's return will not impact McCaffrey's status as San Francisco's lead back, but his re-emergence will fuel Wilson’s descent even further down the depth chart. Fantasy managers with Wilson contained on the roster should not hesitate to remove him this week.
Chase Edmonds, Miami Dolphins - 58% Rostered
Edmonds appeared primed to seize an integral role in Miami’s backfield after signing a two-year, $12.6 million contract in March. He also led the Dolphins’ backfield in snap share (63%), rushing attempts (12), targets (4), and receiving yards (40) during the team’s season opener. Raheem Mostert also attained a 42% share and was limited to five carries, 16 rushing yards, and one target in Week 1.
However, Mostert has maintained RB1 responsibilities for Miami during the team’s last six matchups, while Edmonds’ snap share has dropped to 35.6% snap share. Since Week 2, he has been Edmonds has also been relegated to averages of 4.3 carries and 13.5 rushing yards per game. He has also been limited to only 13 targets and six receptions during that sequence while accumulating four drops.
Edmonds remains available in over 40% of all leagues but is no rationale for expecting his usage and output to improve during Miami’s upcoming matchups. That eliminates any rationale for retaining him on your rosters.
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