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Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups for Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream, and stash off waivers.
All fantasy managers are to be commended for rising to the unique challenges that have unfolded during this regular season. The weeks have advanced at a relentless pace and we have entered the postseason in the majority of leagues. Congratulations to those of you who have qualified for the fantasy playoffs, as you have successfully navigated the numerous obstacles that have emerged since you created your original rosters.
Your primary objective during this critical week is to focus on constructing lineups that will advance into the next round of your playoffs. However, it is also recommended that you examine all matchups in Weeks 16-17 for any backs that you are considering or are currently contained on your rosters. This maximizes your planning process by establishing which backs will encounter difficult matchups, and which runners have an opportunity to perform against vulnerable defensive units.
This article will help you locate the best running backs to target from this week’s waiver wire and the recommendations will appear in three tiers -- beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners that are available if you are contending with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be considered droppable in order for you to secure your replacements. Good luck with this week’s matchups!
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Week 14 Rushing Leaders
| Week 14 | Attempts | Yards | Yards/Att |
| Christian McCaffrey | 16 | 145 | 9.1 |
| Kyren Williams | 25 | 114 | 4.6 |
| Rachaad White | 25 | 102 | 4.1 |
| Chuba Hubbard | 23 | 87 | 3.8 |
| Joe Mixon | 21 | 79 | 3.8 |
| Miles Sanders | 10 | 74 | 7.4 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | 22 | 68 | 3.1 |
| Javonte Williams | 17 | 66 | 3.9 |
| Alexander Mattison | 10 | 66 | 6.6 |
| David Montgomery | 10 | 66 | 6.6 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 11 | 66 | 6 |
Frontrunners - Week 15 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires.
D'Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears - 38% Rostered
The fluctuating touch totals that have been distributed within Chicago’s backfield during the regular season have been largely fueled by the ongoing health issues that have been sustained by the Bears’ top three backs.
However, D'Onta Foreman has capitalized when he has been presented with opportunities to function as Chicago’s RB1. He operated on that capacity from Weeks 6-10 while Khalil Herbert (ankle) and Roschon Johnson (concussion) were unavailable for a combined seven games during that sequence.
Foreman soared to third among all backs in rushing attempts (81/16.2 per game) and rushing yards (351/70.2 per game) during those matchups. Foreman suffered an ankle injury in Week 11, which sidelined him during Chicago’s visit to Minnesota in Week 12. However, he had fully recovered when the Bears hosted Detroit in Week 14.
Foreman easily led the Bears backfield in snap share (56%), rushing attempts (11), rushing yards (50), routes (16), and targets (three) in Week 14. Johnson (27%) and Herbert (17%) easily trailed Foreman in snap share. The tandem also combined for just four carries and neither back registered a target.
The Bears will travel to Cleveland on Sunday before hosting Arizona and Atlanta in Weeks 16-17. It now appears logical to believe that Foreman will continue to generate yardage and fantasy points as Chicago’s lead back during those matchups, and he should be added in all leagues.
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals - 6% Rostered
Chase Brown was available in 99% of all leagues prior to Cincinnati’s Week 13 matchup in Jacksonville. He had only accumulated eight snaps, two rushing attempts, and six yards on the ground before that contest.
Brown was entrusted with 11 snaps against the Jaguars and performed effectively with an expanded role, but his ability to maximize his opportunity in Week 13 only compelled fantasy managers in 5% of all leagues to add him during the past week.
However, Brown delivered another encouraging performance when Cincinnati hosted Indianapolis in Week 14. He played on 18 snaps, carried eight times, and generated 25 rushing yards against the Colts. He also ran eight routes, collected all three of his targets, and produced 80 receiving yards. That included a 54-yard touchdown as a pass-catching presence from the backfield.
Even though Joe Mixon remains the unquestioned RB1 for the Bengals, Brown has displayed a level of explosiveness that is needed in Cincinnati’s backfield. Brown should retain a weekly workload moving forward and has emerged as an enticing handcuff while the Bengals progress through their remaining schedule. Cincinnati will host the Vikings this week before traveling to Pittsburgh and Kansas City.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs - 51% Rostered
Isiah Pacheco was sidelined by with a shoulder injury when Kansas City hosted Buffalo in Week 14. That provided Clyde Edwards-Helaire with an opportunity to function as the Chiefs’ lead back for the first time since Week 6 of 2022.
Edwards-Helaire had operated with a 15.6% snap share from Weeks 1-13. He also accumulated 40 rushing attempts (3.6 per game), while assembling 140 yards on the ground (12.7 per game). Edwards-Helaire had also run 64 routes while collecting seven of his nine targets and accruing 44 yards as a receiving weapon.
However, Edwards-Helaire led Kansas City‘s backfield with 32 snaps in Week 14. He also paced the Chiefs in rushing attempts (11), rushing yards (39), targets (four), and receiving yards (29). Jerick McKinnon accumulated 30 snaps in Week 14. He only carried four times, ran 18 routes, collected all three of his targets, and generated 18 receiving yards.
Pacheco‘s status should be monitored as the week progresses, but Edwards-Helaire is the back who should be prioritized on the waiver wire -- even though his value will diminish whenever Pacheco resurfaces in the Chiefs’ lineup.
However, Edwards-Helaire is a viable flex option until that occurs. He is available in nearly 50% of all leagues and can be included among your priorities for Week 15.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings - 22% Rostered
Ty Chandler recently appeared to be progressing down a path toward presenting a significant challenge to Alexander Mattison’s RB1 role with Minnesota. Chandler averaged 12.5 carries, 59 rushing yards per game, and 4.7 yards per attempt in Weeks 10-11. Chandler also secured career high in targets (four) and receptions (four) in Week 11.
Chandler’s statistical ascension was temporarily halted when he was limited to just eight rushing yards on four attempts in Week 12. However, Mattison sustained an ankle injury during Minnesota’s Week 14 matchup at Las Vegas. That propelled Chandler to his highest snap count of the season (40), which easily led the Vikings backfield.
Chandler also carried 12 times, while generating 35 rushing yards. Chandler also ran a season-high 23 routes, while capturing all three of his targets. He would also operate with an extensive workload when the Vikings travel to Cincinnati on Saturday if Mattison has not recovered from his ankle issue.
Chandler also operates with a level of explosiveness that could launch him to sizable numbers if he functions as Minnesota’s RB1. That should incentivize you to seize him from your waiver wires this week.
In The Running - Week 15 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs remain available on the waiver wire and could become resources for your rosters.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens - 59% Rostered
Keaton Mitchell has somehow remained available in over 40% of all leagues despite the burgeoning evidence that he can erupt for sizable gains every time he touches the ball.
A shoulder injury had contributed to a delay in his season debut. However, Mitchell currently leads all backs with five runs of 20+ yards since he exploded onto the fantasy landscape in Week 9.
The dynamic playmaker has now accumulated 103 snaps and 38 rushing attempts during his last five games while leading the Ravens backfield in carries during each of the team's last two matchups.
Mitchell also accumulated 25 snaps when the Ravens hosted the Rams in Week 14. He also carried nine times, accrued 54 yards on the ground, and averaged 6.0 yards per attempt.
Mitchell has now run 43 routes since Week 9, including the seven that he accumulated in Week 14. He should be rostered in all leagues, as the favorable blend of his big play capabilities and the potential of an increasing workload have positioned him to become an asset during the fantasy postseason. The Ravens are on the road at Jacksonville and San Francisco in Weeks 15-16 before hosting Miami in Week 17.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns - 60% Rostered
Kareem Hunt’s availability has increased in recent weeks, which currently leaves him attainable in 40% of all leagues. That has also fueled Hunt’s reemergence in this column, as his role in a rotation with Jerome Ford can supply fantasy managers with a viable starting option.
Hunt has now accumulated 220 snaps since his season debut in Week 3. He has also carried 111 times while assembling 361 yards on the ground. The seven-year veteran has also run 108 routes and collected 11 of his 14 targets.
That includes Hunt’s usage and output when the Browns hosted Jacksonville in Week 14, as he played on 28 snaps, amassed 10 rushing attempts, and produced 27 rushing yards. Hunt also delivered his seventh rushing touchdown of the season.
Cleveland will host Chicago on Sunday, before visiting Houston and returning home to face the Jets in Week 17. Hunt can be infused into your lineups as a flex option and his significance as a roster asset would rise if Ford is sidelined during the Browns' remaining matchups.
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders- 2% Rostered
Zamir White was selected in Round 4 of the 2022 NFL Draft and has only assembled modest numbers while operating as the backup to Josh Jacobs. However, Jacobs sustained a knee injury during the Raiders’ Week 14 matchup with Minnesota.
His status should be monitored as the week advances, but Las Vegas would distribute touches to White and Ameer Abdullah in a backfield rotation if Jacobs is unavailable for the team’s Week 15 matchup with the Chargers.
Jacobs’ role as the Raiders’ workhorse back had propelled him to 545 snaps entering Week 14, which was fifth among all backs. He also accrued 34 snaps in Week 14 prior to his injury.
Jacobs' extensive workload had limited White to 44 snaps from Weeks 1-13, along with 18 rushing attempts and 46 yards on the ground. White also accumulated five snaps in Week 14, while generating eight rushing yards with his two attempts.
Abdullah operated as the receiving back within the reshaped backfield while running 10 routes and collecting both of his targets. The proximity of a Thursday night kickoff increases the likelihood that White will operate with an expanded workload as the Raiders’ temporary lead back.
Dark Horses - Week 15 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be considered if you are searching for players who could eventually emerge in your lineups.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders - 54% Rostered
Antonio Gibson will return from Washington’s bye week with a role that could expand if Brian Robinson Jr. is still recovering from his problematic hamstring. Gibson has been utilized predominantly as a pass-catching weapon throughout the regular season while operating with a 46.1% snap share since Week 1.
Robinson leads the Commanders’ backfield with a 50.5% share while pacing Washington in rushing attempts (160/12.3 per game) and rushing yards (664/51.1 per game).
Gibson has accumulated 46 attempts (3.8 per game) while assembling 193 yards (16.1 per game) on the ground. However, those averages have risen to 8.0 carries/28 yards per game since Week 12.
Gibson also leads the backfield in routes (251), targets (44/3.7 per game), and receptions (37/3.1 per game), and has collected 5+ targets during four of his last five matchups.
The incentive for having Gibson contained on rosters increases considerably if Robinson Jr. is unavailable or is destined to function with a restricted workload when Washington visits the Rams on Sunday. Gibson remains available in 46% of all leagues and would emerge as an RB2/RB3 if that scenario transpires.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 45% Rostered
Tyjae Spears has been a mainstay in this column throughout the season due to the enticing blend of his big play capabilities, his level of involvement throughout much of his rookie season, and his prospects of erupting for massive numbers if Derrick Henry would have been traded, sidelined by injury, or was operating with a reduced workload.
Spears has eclipsed a 52% snap share in nine of his 13 matchups while attaining a 66.5% share since Week 13. He has also accumulated 358 rushing yards, averaged 4.9 yards per attempt, and leads the Titans' backfield in routes run (202), targets (54), and receptions (39).
Spears also established season-highs in targets (eight), receptions (six), and receiving yards (89) in Week 14. His numbers have yet to reach standalone value. However, upcoming game scripts and Spears’ playmaking ability could compel the Titans to expand his workload as Henry completes the final games of his contract.
Spears is still available in 55% of all leagues and should be secured on all rosters this week. He could still explode for significant numbers if he operates with an expanded workload during the fantasy postseason. Tennessee will host Houston and Seattle in Weeks 15-16 before visiting the Texans in Week 17.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders - 1% Rostered
Chris Rodriguez Jr. accumulated 3,644 yards and 32 touchdowns during his collegiate career at Kentucky. He later became the 13th back to be selected during the 2023 NFL draft, when Washington secured him in Round 6.
Rodriguez Jr. was limited to 19 snaps (3.8% share) from Weeks 1-10, while he carried 14 times (4.7 per game) and manufactured 61 yards (20.3 per game). However, he has played on 32 snaps (15.5% share) since Week 11, while eclipsing a 20% share during two of Washington’s last three games.
He has also accumulated 17 attempts (5.7 per game) while assembling 93 rushing yards (31 yards per game). Rodriguez Jr. has also averaged 5.5 yards per attempt during that sequence. That includes his numbers when the Commanders hosted Miami in Week 13. Rodriguez Jr. accrued a season-high seven attempts during that matchup while averaging 4.14 per attempt.
Brian Robinson Jr. also sustained a hamstring issue in Week 13, and his status for Week 15 should be monitored leading up to Washington’s matchup with the Rams. However, Rodriguez Jr. could garner rushing attempts regardless of Robinson’s availability during the Commanders’ upcoming games.
Also - It Is Time To Say Goodbye
These running backs can be dropped to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Dameon Pierce. Houston Texans - 65% Rostered
You may not be inclined to drop Dameon Pierce. However, Pierce’s constant inefficiency and the unpredictable level of usage of Pierce and Devin Singletary have created significant risks with elevating Pierce into your lineups.
Pierce trailed Singletary in snap share from Weeks 6-11 (38.8%/68.0%), while also averaging 12.5 carries/40 yards per game. Singletary also averaged 17.4 attempts and 75.2 yards per game during that sequence. Singletary was limited to eight attempts during Houston’s Week 13 matchup with Denver, while Pierce carried 15 times. However, Pierce also averaged just 2.7 yards per attempt.
Singletary commandeered the largest snap count in Week 14 (32) while generating 65 yards with his 13 attempts. Pierce was relegated to eight snaps, four carries, and nine rushing yards. Pierce also averaged 2.3 yards per attempt in Week 14 and has now failed to exceed 2.8 per attempt in six different contests this season.
The unfavorable blend of Pierce’s erratic workloads, his ineffectiveness as a rusher, and his lack of involvement as a receiver should deter you from trusting him as a starter. It also reduces your incentive for keeping them on your rosters.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens - 15% Rostered
The ascending presence of Keaton Mitchell has propelled the explosive rookie into the largest workload within the Baltimore backfield during each of the Ravens’ last two matchups.
The touches that have recently been allocated to Mitchell and Gus Edwards have fueled a decline in Justice Hill’s workload since Week 10. Hill had averaged 28 snaps per game from Weeks 1-9 while averaging 7.3 carries/31.4 rushing yards per game. Hill had also paced the Ravens’ backfield in routes run (116), targets (16), and receptions (15) from Weeks 1-9.
However, Hill has averaged 16.5 snaps per game since Week 10. He has also been limited to just eight rushing attempts and two receptions during Baltimore's last four matchups combined. That includes his involvement in Week 14 when Hill did not carry the ball and was relegated to one catch despite accruing 29 snaps.
Mitchell’s rising touch totals and Edwards’ continued involvement have combined to compress Hill’s role to a level that should remove any hesitation in extracting him from your rosters.
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