RADIO
Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups for Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream, and stash off waivers.
We have now progressed into reconstructing rosters and planning lineups for Week 5. The numbers that have been assembled by running backs during their first four matchups have fueled a variety of emotions for all fantasy managers. Unfortunately, some of you have been contending with underwhelming results due to injuries, inefficient performances, and production-inhibiting committees.
The unwelcome process of managing bye weeks has also re-emerged, which will fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That includes the four teams that will be impacted this week -- Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Seattle, and the Los Angeles Chargers. This ensures that anyone with Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Kenneth Walker, Zach Charbonnet, Rachaad White, Jerome Ford, or Kareem Hunt on their rosters will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
The recommendations in this week's article will appear in three tiers, beginning with the most enticing and progressing to options for managers who 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 have finished this breakdown, you can explore all of this week's fantasy football waiver wire pickups that are designed to help you maximize the scoring potential of your rosters.
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Upcoming Bye Weeks
Week 5: Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Los Angeles Chargers
Week 6: Green Bay, Pittsburgh
Week 7: Carolina, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, New York Jets, Tennessee
Week 9: Denver, Detroit, Jacksonville, San Francisco
Frontrunners - Week 5 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos - 3% Rostered
Jaleel McLaughlin stockpiled an NCAA record 8,166 rushing yards along with 79 rushing touchdowns during his collegiate career. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos, and his involvement in Denver’s backfield rotation has been expanding,
He had attained season highs in snap share (21%), rushing attempts (five), and rushing yards (15) in Week 3. This elevated McLaughlin into consideration as a potential roster stash for anyone who was managing rosters in deeper leagues prior to Week 4.
However, McLaughlin has now soared atop this week’s list of backs to prioritize on your waiver wires following Denver’s matchup in Chicago. McLaughlin accumulated new season-highs in snaps (16), rushing attempts (seven), and rushing yards (72). He also collected all three of his targets, assembled 32 receiving yards, and generated his first career touchdown as a receiving weapon.
Javonte Williams was sidelined after sustaining a hip injury against the Bears, and McLaughlin capitalized on his opportunity for an expanded role. Williams' status should be monitored. However, McLaughlin supplies a much-needed burst to the Broncos backfield that seventh-year back Samaje Perine cannot. That should sustain McLaughlin's involvement in the backfield rotation. It also vaults him among this week's most enticing backs to target from the waiver wire.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 24% Rostered
Spears has emerged as a consistent recommendation in this column. Several factors remain intact that have elevated him among this week’s most compelling options once again.
He has now accumulated 113 snaps, which is only 15 fewer than Derrick Henry. Spears has also averaged 6.1 yards per attempt while generating 122 yards with his 20 carries. Henry had averaged 3.2 per attempt/54 yards per game prior to Week 4 when he secured season-highs in both categories (22 carries/122 yards).
There is also a rising disparity in routes run between both members of Tennessee’s backfield tandem, as Spears has run 45 routes, while Henry has been limited to 24.
Henry’s status as the Titans’ lead back will remain unchanged. However, Spears’ level of involvement is significant. He is a dynamic playmaker whose explosiveness will keep him involved in Tennessee’s offense.
Spears is still available in over 75% of all leagues, but would also deliver high-end RB2 output if Henry were sidelined during the upcoming weeks. That should incentivize you to secure him for your rosters.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 25% Rostered
Chuba Hubbard has not elicited the same level of conversation as several other backs who are operating as the clear RB2s on their own teams. However, Hubbard has already accumulated 110 snaps during Carolina’s first four matchups.
Hubbard has now carried 26 times, generated 119 yards on the ground, and is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. He has also run 33 routes, garnered 11 targets, and generated 57 yards as a receiving weapon.
That includes his numbers when the Panthers hosted Minnesota in Week 4. Miles Sanders was contending with a groin issue, which provided a path for Hubbard to operate with an expanded workload.
Hubbard led Carolina’s backfield in snaps (38), rushing attempts (14), and rushing yards (41) versus the Vikings and collected both of his targets. Sanders played on 32 snaps, carried 13 times, and was limited to 19 yards on the ground. He also captured all three of his targets.
Hubbard has yet to eclipse the threshold of standalone value. However, he should be rostered in all leagues. He has commandeered a weekly role in Carolina’s attack and would become a valuable roster asset if Sanders is unavailable during the upcoming weeks.
In The Running - Week 5 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs remain available on the waiver wire and could become resources for your rosters.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks - 60% Rostered
Zach Charbonnet’s involvement slowly expanded from Weeks 1 -3. His snap totals rose steadily during that span (12/19/32), while his rushing attempts also increased during those matchups (three/four/nine).
He has also capitalized on his expanded opportunity in Week 3 by assembling 46 yards and averaging 5.1 yards per attempt. Charbonnet also ran 17 routes, which increased his season-long total to 26.
Charbonnet's snaps decreased in Week 4 (13). However, he still accumulated 40 total yards on six touches. That includes his 31 rushing yards on five attempts (6.2 per attempt).
Kenneth Walker has accumulated a team-high 145 snaps and also leads the Seahawks’ backfield in rushing attempts (64) and rushing yards (283). Walker is also pacing Seattle backs in routes (55), targets (10), and receiving yards (73).
However, that should not deter you from stashing Charbonnet, who possesses the skills that are necessary to function effectively as an every-down back. That positions him to eventually secure standalone value if his usage continues to rise.
He would also launch into consideration as an RB2 for fantasy managers if Walker would be sidelined at any point during the season. That should also encourage you to secure him for your rosters this week.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - 55% Rostered
Jaylen Warren’s explosiveness and effectiveness have been displayed consistently when he is operating with the ball. That fueled sizable conjecture throughout his rookie season and the 2023 offseason surrounding Warren’s prospects of achieving standalone value.
However, his snap share has risen steadily this season (40%/43%/45%/49%), while his touch totals in Pittsburgh's backfield rotation have nearly matched the numbers that have been accumulated by Najee Harris.
Warren has now played on 100 snaps, while Harris leads the backfield with 122. Harris has also carried 49 times, while Warren has accrued 25 attempts. However, Warren has run more routes than Harris (33/32) while accruing more targets (22/seven) and generating more receiving yards (127/34).
Warren’s increased involvement still has not propelled him across the threshold of standalone value. However, he is capable of performing effectively with an extensive workload and would approach RB1 output if Harris is forced to the sideline at any point during the year. Warren remains available in 45% of all leagues, and adding him could become one of the most impactful decisions that you make this season.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears- 54% Rostered
Roschon Johnson’s numbers were disappointing for anyone who had anticipated a surge in his workload during Chicago’s Week 4 matchup with Denver. However, it is premature to dismiss Johnson’s prospects of emerging as a roster asset during the season.
Johnson operates with an enticing blend of size and power while possessing the patience and vision to deliver favorable yardage totals. He is also a capable pass blocker, which should increase his chances of remaining on the field.
Johnson was originally inserted into a crowded backfield that included Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman. Now, Johnson’s path to relevance is no longer obstructed by Foreman, who has been affixed to the sideline as a healthy inactive during the Bears’ last three matchups.
Johnson had attained a 44% snap share in Weeks 2-3 before that percentage dropped to 21% in Week 4. He has now accumulated 22 rushing attempts and 103 rushing yards while running 38 routes and accruing 12 targets.
Herbert is operating as Chicago’s lead back. However, Johnson’s potential to secure a larger workload this season remains intact. He is still attainable in nearly 50% of all leagues and remains a viable roster stash.
Dark Horses - Week 5 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be considered if you are searching for players who could eventually emerge in your lineups.
Matt Breida, New York Giants - 26% Rostered
The ankle injury that was sustained by Saquon Barkley in Week 2 has cemented him to the sideline. It is conceivable that Barkley will re-emerge when the Giants visit Miami. However, the problematic ankle could also extend his absence.
That scenario will sustain Matt Breida's role as the lead back while Barkley is unavailable. It also provides the rationale for adding Breida to your rosters. Breida’s career-highs in rushing attempts (153), rushing yards (814), and rushing touchdowns were all established in 2018. However, he is still capable of functioning as a short-term starter for both the Giants and fantasy managers who are dealing with roster dilemmas.
Breida confiscated an 80.4% snap share when the Giants traveled to San Francisco in Week 3. His encounter with the 49ers’ stout defense limited him to 17 rushing yards, while he ran 34 routes and collected all three of his targets. However, he did generate an eight-yard touchdown on the ground.
He easily led the Giants backfield in snaps (55), carries (14), rushing yards (30), routes (31), targets (five), and receiving yards (48) in Week 4. He will retain his sizable role while Barkley is sidelined, which presents him as a potential flex option this week.
Devin Singletary, Houston Texans - 15% Rostered
Devin Singletary signed a one-year contract with Houston this past March. This infused him into a Texans backfield with Dameon Pierce, who is unsurprisingly operating as the primary back. However, Singletary has secured a weekly allotment of touches that has elevated him among this week’s candidates to stash for your rosters.
Singletary operated with a 37.5% snap share in Weeks 2-3, was allotted 13 attempts, and generated 55 yards (4.2 per attempt). He also ran 30 routes while collecting all four of his targets. Singletary also accumulated 25 snaps in Week 4, and assembled 25 rushing yards on seven attempts. He also ran 13 routes and captured his only target from C.J. Stroud.
Pierce had failed to exceed 15 carries or reach 40 rushing yards during Houston’s first three matchups before he ran for 81 yards on 24 carries (3.4 per attempt) when the Texans hosted Pittsburgh in Week 4.
However, despite Pierce’s status as Houston’s RB1, Singletary supplies versatility as a rusher and receiving weapon. That could propel him to respectable workloads during the upcoming weeks. It also elevates him as a potential flex option for anyone who is attempting to navigate bye weeks, injuries, and other roster challenges.
Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins - 26% Rostered
Raheem Mostert has been operating effectively during his ninth season while highly explosive rookie De’Von Achane has now erupted for 353 total yards and six touchdowns in Weeks 3-4. Salvon Ahmed has also performed effectively while functioning in a modest role (4.5 touches/26 total yards).
The Dolphins’ backfield might not appear to require an influx of additional talent into their rotation. However, this column would be remiss without a reminder that Jeff Wilson Jr. could return from injured reserve before Miami’s Week 5 matchup with the Giants.
If that transpires, Wilson could also commandeer a weekly allotment of touches. Prior to Week 1, he was positioned to share touches in a rotation with Mostert. However, he encountered rib and finger issues which resulted in his placement on IR in late August.
Wilson emerged in Miami after being traded from San Francisco at the 2022 trade deadline and led the Dolphins in snap share (53.2%), rushing attempts (84/10.5 per game), red zone carries (13), rushing touchdowns (three), routes run (122), and targets (24/3.0 per game). It is unclear how many touches Wilson will be allocated when he resurfaces, but he is a viable option for anyone who can locate roster space this week.
Also-Rans - It Is Time To Say Goodbye
A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers - 78% Rostered
Dillon’s inefficiency has been an ongoing disappointment as his average yards per attempt has declined during each of his four seasons (5.3/4.3/4.1/2.7). Dillon has also underwhelmed during his last eight regular season matchups while averaging 2.95 yards per attempt and failing to exceed 3.7 during any of those contests.
This situation becomes even more problematic since those issues can no longer be offset by the promise of favorable results when Aaron Jones has been impacted by injury. Dillon failed to capitalize on his expanded workload while Jones was sidelined in Weeks 2-3 (hamstring) by assembling just 88 yards on 26 attempts (3.4 per attempt).
Dillon also manufactured 11 yards with his five attempts (2.2 yards per attempt) in Week 4, when Jones re-emerged to operate with a managed workload (20 snaps/five carries). Dillon’s inability to maximize his opportunities when functioning as the Packers’ lead back has eliminated the only remaining benefit of retaining him on rosters.
He will not reward you for inserting him into your lineups and there are other backs available on this week’s waiver wire that will provide more effective use of your roster spot.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders - 51% Rostered
It was logical to envision Antonio Gibson seizing a favorable workload during his fourth season while operating as Washington’s pass-catching presence from the backfield.
Gibson had paced the Commanders’ running backs with a 50.2% share from Weeks 9-18 last season after J.D. McKissic sustained a season-ending neck injury. Gibson also led Washington’s backfield in routes (91), targets (23), and receiving yards (125) during that sequence.
Gibson also averaged 9.9 rushing attempts/36.4 rushing yards. However, anyone who invested in Gibson near his ADP during draft season (95/RB34) has been forced to contend with rising frustration. He trails Brian Robinson Jr. in snaps since Week 1 (133/115) while his per-game averages as a runner have plummeted to 3.3 carries/13.5 yards.
Gibson’s involvement as a receiving weapon has also diminished, as last year’s averages of 3.9 targets/3.1 receptions/23.5 receiving yards per game have dropped to 2.5 targets/2.0 receptions/17 yards per game.
Washington’s transition to Eric Bieniemy’s offensive philosophy has not elevated Gibson’s usage and output to levels that have rewarded fantasy managers for the decision to draft him. It is time to replace him with a back that is positioned to boost your scoring.
Rashaad Penny, Philadelphia Eagles - 23% Rostered
After Rashaad Penny signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia, his prospects of seizing a sizable role within the Eagles’ restructured backfield became a topic of debate throughout the offseason.
All conversation surrounding Penny’s potential to secure a meaningful role has long since dissipated as D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell split opportunities in Nick Sirianni’s offense. Penny has now been limited to just nine snaps, three rushing attempts, and nine rushing yards entering Week 5. He has also been limited to just one target and five receiving yards.
Penny has also been inactive during two of Philadelphia’s matchups and also failed to register a touch in Week 3. Memories of his impressive six-game sequence in 2021 -- when he led the league in attempts (102/17 per game), rushing yards (706/117.7 per game), and rushing touchdowns (six) -- continue to recede, and he is no longer positioned to become a resource for your roster. That should encourage you to locate another back who can.
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