RADIO
After nine 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 remaining bye weeks have also provided another challenge that will fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That includes the four teams that will be affected this week – Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, and the New York Jets. This ensures that anyone with Joe Mixon, Rhamondre Stevenson, Gus Edwards, Kenyan Drake, Michael Carter, or James Robinson will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
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 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 10 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.
Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins - 51% Rostered
Wilson had operated with a 58.4% snap share from Weeks 1-6 while finishing 14th among all backs in rushing attempts (81/13.5 per game) and 11th in rushing yards (400/66.7 per game).
His involvement in San Francisco’s offense was destined to decline when the 49ers added Christian McCaffrey into their backfield equation, and his snap share dropped to 39.5% after McCaffrey’s arrival.
However, Wilson’s viability as a roster resource was resuscitated when San Francisco dealt him to Miami. The move reunited Wilson with his former offensive coordinator/run-game coordinator Mike McDaniel and Wilson has quickly secured an integral role with the Dolphins.
Wilson carried nine times in Week 9 and led Miami’s backfield in snap share (49%), rushing yardage (51), targets (three), and receiving yards (21). He also generated a receiving touchdown during his debut as a Dolphin.
Jeff Wilson scores in his @MiamiDolphins debut! 👏
📺: #MIAvsCHI on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/PrdJzxjse4 pic.twitter.com/vIyksuqGX8— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2022
Raheem Mostert also carried nine times but only managed 26 rushing yards, and failed to catch both of his targets. He also registered his lowest snap share since Week 1 (47%).
Wilson quickly commandeered a favorable workload and has re-emerged as a high-end RB3 option for fantasy managers. That has vaulted him atop the list of this week’s waiver wire options.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 31% Rostered
White has maintained a continuous presence among these weekly recommendations, due to his prospects of reaching RB1 status if he ascends into lead-back duties for Tampa Bay.
He possesses the ability to perform proficiently as both a rusher and receiver and his three-down capabilities would allow him to flourish if he catapults Leonard Fournette on the Buccaneers’ depth chart. He would also become a valuable resource for managers if Fournette would become sidelined for any reason.
First career TD for @chaad_3 ‼️
📺: #KCvsTB on NBC pic.twitter.com/zKWRpv1UnL
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 3, 2022
White has carried 27 times (5.4 per game) since Week 5 and generated 96 rushing yards (19.2 per game) during that span. That includes the season-high eight attempts that he was allotted when the Buccaneers hosted the Rams in Week 9. White also eclipsed a 35% snap share for the fourth time in his last six games.
Fournette has now carried 61 times during that sequence (12.2 per game) while accruing 181 yards (36.2 per game) on the ground. He has averaged just 3.0 yards per carry although he has also collected 26 of his 30 targets during those contests.
White could be destined to remain in the current timeshare for the foreseeable future. However, his prospects of becoming a difference-maker for managers if that scenario changes have elevated him among this week’s waiver priorities.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - 6% Rostered
Jaylen Warren. Decisive. Downhill. Doesn't wait on anything. Just sees the holes and hits them. He's been a bright spot, for sure. #Steelers @937theFan pic.twitter.com/bF7DkELM3y
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) November 1, 2022
It is understandable if you have watched Warren perform effectively this season and wondered why he hasn’t been entrusted with a larger workload. Warren entered Pittsburgh’s bye week averaging 5.3 yards per attempt, which were a full 2.0 yards higher than the inefficient 3.3 per carry that has been registered by Najee Harris during his first eight matchups.
However, even though it might appear justified to entrust Warren with a higher percentage of carries, he is still being limited to just 3.6 per game. Harris has secured a 68.6% snap share and is averaging 13.5 attempts per game. Harris could easily commandeer similar usage during Pittsburgh’s upcoming matchups, which will continue to impede Warren from attaining standalone value.
However, Warren’s role as Pittsburgh’s RB2 is unchallenged. This makes him an exceptional handcuff for anyone who has been progressing through the season with Harris on their rosters. All other managers should also be incentivized to target Warren as he would become a weekly RB2 if Harris would be sidelined for any reason.
In The Running - Week 10 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens - 59% Rostered
Drake’s workload has fluctuated as the Ravens have repeatedly been forced to modify the roles within their backfield. This has been a byproduct of health issues that have both emerged and lingered during the season. J. K. Dobbins made his season debut in Week 3 but later sustained a knee issue in Week 6. He is now recovering from knee surgery and the original timeline for his return was 4-6 weeks.
Gus Edwards registered his first touches of the season in Week 7 but is now sidelined by a hamstring injury that emerged in Week 8. The latest injuries that impacted Dobbins and Edwards have also kept Drake involved in Baltimore’s evolving backfield rotation.
Kenyan Drake was literally not touched on this touchdown run pic.twitter.com/bqsnUart2z
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 16, 2022
Drake has eclipsed a 58% snap share in three of his six matchups and assembled 62+ yards on the ground during two of his last three contests. That includes the 119 that he accumulated on 10 carries in Week 6.
Drake should also remain involved in the distribution of touches even after Edwards resurfaces. That supplies your incentive to include him among your waiver wire targets if you are positioned to keep him on your bench during Baltimore's bye week.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams- 42% Rostered
Even though there are multiple teams whose usage of running backs has caused nightmares for fantasy managers, the Rams arguably possess the league’s most unsettled backfield.
The nebulous status of Cam Akers has been a major factor, as has the convoluted distribution of touches to multiple backs by Sean McVay. Akers returned for his first snaps since Week 6 when the Rams traveled to Tampa Bay, but the results were underwhelming (five carries/three yards/0.6 per attempt).
Darrell Henderson (12 attempts/56 yards), and Malcolm Brown (two carries/nine yards) were also involved in the backfield rotation, but there was nothing that was demonstrated by any member of this trio that indicates Williams will be unable to seize an ongoing role whenever he is activated from injured reserve.
Los Angeles traded up in order to secure Williams during last April’s NFL draft, and he is capable of operating as a three-down back. He appears positioned to seize a sizable workload in the Rams’ backfield and remains available in nearly 60% of all leagues. That elevates Williams among this week’s most viable roster additions.
Isaiah Spiller, Los Angeles Chargers - 3% Rostered
When news emerged that Austin Ekeler was contending with an abdomen issue it served as a reminder that Spiller or Sony Michel could ascend into an expanded workload if Ekeler would become unavailable during the Chargers’ upcoming matchups.
Joshua Kelley remains on injured reserve which provides the potential for Spiller to become Ekeler’s direct backup if he can overtake the inefficient Michel on the Chargers' depth chart.
Spiller established season highs in snap share (19%), rushing attempts (seven) and rushing yardage (29) when the Chargers traveled to Atlanta in Week 9 while Michel was limited to just one carry against the Falcons. Michel had entered Week 9 averaging 4.7 attempts, 13.0 yards per game, and an anemic 2.8 yards per carry, which would appear to provide Spiller with a path toward a weekly workload.
Kelley’s status should be monitored. However, Spiller’s encouraging usage provides the incentive for anyone with Ekeler on their roster to consider adding Spiller as a safeguard. This will prevent a roster dilemma that would develop if Ekeler is sidelined for any reason. All other managers with deeper benches can also consider stashing Spiller, as he could sustain an ongoing role as Ekeler’s backup.
Dark Horses - Week 10 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.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 33% Rostered
The departure of Christian McCaffrey triggered a dramatic transformation in Carolina’s backfield while immediately launching Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman into relevance.
Leap in @Hubbard_RMN 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Wre3brNM6G
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 23, 2022
Both backs shared opportunities when the Panthers hosted NFC South rival Tampa Bay in Week 7 as Hubbard has operated with a 46% snap share. He also carried nine times and generated 63 rushing yards while also collecting two of his three targets and producing 10 yards as a receiver.
Hubbard also sustained an ankle issue during that matchup with the Buccaneers and has remained sidelined during Carolina’s last two games. Foreman accumulated 236 rushing yards on 41 carries in Weeks 7-8 before being limited to just 23 yards on seven attempts when the Panthers traveled to Cincinnati in Week 9.
Foreman’s numbers were impacted by the game script in a blowout loss, but Hubbard’s ability to accumulate yardage as both a rusher and receiver should propel him to a sizable role whenever he resurfaces from his injury. That makes him worthy of consideration as a roster addition for anyone who builds rosters in PPR leagues.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 61% Rostered
Tyler Allgeier over the top puts the @AtlantaFalcons on the board.
📺: #ATLvsCIN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/CArnZv4iDN pic.twitter.com/xteWqJqh7O— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2022
Allgeier is included in this week’s recommendations due to the unique aspects of his current situation. He has now carried 68 times (15.6 per game) since Week 5 while accumulating 284 rushing yards (56.8 per game) during those matchups. That includes the 99 that he assembled when Atlanta hosted the Chargers in Week 9.
Even though Allgeier has constructed those numbers, the return of Cordarrelle Patterson has placed a significant hurdle in Allgeier’s path toward sustaining his recent results.
Patterson re-emerged in Week 9 following his recovery from the knee issue that had sidelined him since Week 4. He secured a 39% snap share while generating 44 yards and two touchdowns with his 13 carries. Patterson should commandeer a larger workload during the Falcons’ upcoming matchups.
That would not eliminate all relevance for Allgeier if the scenario transpires as expected. However, some managers might extract him from their rosters this week. That would provide an opportunity for anyone who is attempting to maneuver their roster through relentless challenges that have depleted their options at running back. If this applies to you, Allgeier can still operate as a flex option despite Patterson's return.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings - 45% Rostered
Mattison’s availability has surged and declined based on the health of Dalvin Cook since Mattison's 2019 rookie year. This process has been repeated once again this season as Mattison's rostership percentage soared when Cook was contending with a troublesome shoulder.
That percentage has steadily decreased as Cook has remained on the field. However, Mattison’s proximity to an enormous workload remains fully intact, as does his continued status as an exceptional handcuff option should Cook suddenly become unavailable at any point of the season.
Cook has been operating with a 71% snap share although his average of 16.4 attempts per game remains below his average from 2017-2021 (18). Mattison has attained a 29% snap share while functioning in a backup role although his average of 4.6 attempts per game is also below his average from 2019-2021 (7.9).
However, his weekly touch total would approach Cook’s current workload if Cook would be sidelined for any reason. He remains available in blank percent of all leagues and would approach RB1 status if he would operate as Minnesota’s lead back. That provides the incentive to secure him this week.
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.
J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens - 58% Rostered
This recommendation is for fantasy managers who have retained Dobbins on your rosters and do not have the option of placing him on injured reserve. Each week delivers a new collection of developments that create significant roster challenges. Many of you are dealing with limited options that have forced you to face some uncomfortable decisions.
You have already been required to exercise considerable patience during the season, as Dobbins did not emerge for his debut until Week 3 then averaged 8.8 attempts, and 30.8 rushing yards per game from Weeks 3-6. Dobbins also averaged 8.6 points per game during that span due to the constraints of Baltimore’s committee approach and his 3.5 yards per game average.
He remains on injured reserve and his absence is expected to last 4-6 weeks. Dobbins’ eventual workload will likely be managed once again and he will not initially possess the explosiveness that was envisioned when he was drafted.
These factors should motivate anyone with Dobbins on their rosters to explore other options on their waiver wire.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Commandeers - 15% Rostered
McKissic’s customary role as Washington’s receiving back was fully intact earlier this season. He was third among all running backs in targets from Weeks 1-5 (30/6.0 per game), and was also fourth in receptions (24/4.8 per game) fifth in receiving yards (159/31.8 per game), sixth in routes run (116), and was being targeted on 25.9% of his routes.
However, the Commanders have reshuffled responsibilities within their backfield since Brian Robinson was blended into the mix. McKissic has averaged 3.3 targets, 1.0 receptions, and just 4.7 yards per game since Week 6. He has also run 13 routes per game, which was a significant drop from the 23.2 per game that he averaged in Weeks 1-5.
Antonio Gibson ran 35 routes during that span while also averaging 5.0 targets, 4.3 receptions, and 31.3 yards per game. He also collected two of his three targets when Washington hosted Minnesota in Week 9 while being limited to 11 receiving yards.
McKissic was also sidelined during the contest with a neck issue and he may remain unavailable for multiple matchups. That bolsters the rationale for locating a back who can bolster your scoring from this week's waiver wire.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills - 20% Rostered
Cook was the third running back to be selected during last April’s NFL draft (64th overall) and his elusiveness and pass-catching capabilities elevated him among the more intriguing newcomers entering Week 1.
Unfortunately, he fumbled on his first touch during Buffalo’s season opener which set the tone for his disappointing rookie season. Cook operated with a 14.7% snap share from Weeks 1-8 and averaged just 3.7 carries and 0.5 targets per game from Weeks 4-8.
Cook did assemble 33 total yards on six touches during the Bills’ AFC East matchup with the Jets in Week 9. Nyheim Hines failed to catch his only target during his debut with Buffalo. However, the former Colt was just obtained by the Bills on November 1st and should be entrusted with a larger role when Buffalo hosts Minnesota on Sunday.
Hines’ presence places an additional obstacle in Cook’s path toward securing a consistent pass-catching role, while dramatically reducing any remaining hope that Cook can ascend beyond a modest workload this season.
Anyone who needs to reconstruct their rosters due to the continuing challenges of bye weeks and injuries can consider Cook among their drop options this week.
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