Week 8 Running Backs: Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

October 20, 2014

Rek analyzes Week 8 fantasy football running backs (RB) - waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers for both PPR and non-PPR leagues. NFL running backs are a key component.

In Week 7, a lot of running backs emerged who will now have a shot at becoming the lead backs for their teams. That's good news for those of you who are in desperate need of a waiver wire running back, which I imagine is a lot of you. Let's get rolling on whom you should be willing to spend some FAAB bucks on in Week 8's waiver wire.

Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB) - Week 8

Tre Mason (RB, STL) - 25% owned on Fleaflicker

Three weeks ago for my weekly warning signs article, I wrote about Zac Stacy, the Rams being down in a lot of games, and the O-line being not so great. All of it meant that Stacy wasn't doing so well and didn't have a great outlook. I was too quick to blame the Rams for Stacy's problems. Rookie Tre Mason has come in and made Stacy look incredibly bad for not being able to run behind this O-line. Not only did the Rams manage to pull off an impressive upset of the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but Mason's 18 rushes for 85 yards and a touchdown were a big reason why.

For those of who are unfamiliar with the 5'9'' 207-pound back, let me give you a quick overview. He is in the 70th percentile for running back 40-yard dash, and is ranked in the 94th percentile for his quickness and balance, per PlayerProfiler.com. This is an explosive player we are talking about, who averaged 8 yards a carry in his first game and well over 4 yards a carry against one of the NFL's most vaunted defenses.

Tre Mason should be one of your priority adds off the wire, especially when you take into consideration that Stacy didn't even register a single touch in Week 7. He is building a name for himself in St. Louis, so don't be slow like Zac Stacy (too soon?), and make the move now, fantasy managers.

Benny Cunningham (RB, STL) - 34% owned on Fleaflicker

Two running backs from the same team in the same article!? I must be going crazy! Or it may be the case that while Tre Mason is entirely the more talented back, nevertheless Benny Cunningham is the better pass protector, and he will find himself in the No. 2 role in this offense. It's also the case that Cunningham is a better pass-catcher than Mason, as evidenced  by Cunningham's five receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown in Week 7.

Benny hasn't seen a ton of action his first two years in the league, but he's the made most of his time, rushing for an average of 4.9 yards per carry and a whopping 7.9 yards per reception in his young career. While Cunningham isn't likely to take the lead back job from Mason, I could see them developing Austin Davis and using Cunningham as a safety valve in short third-down situations.

Cunningham isn't as strong a recommendation for me as Tre Mason, but those in deep leagues (think 12 teams or deeper) could do worse than to take a flier on him if they are lacking running back depth and miss out on Mason. The Chiefs have been tough against the pass, so don't expect a ton from Cunningham next week. Then again, Seattle is supposed to be tough, but just hasn't looked like the top defense we thought they would be coming into the year. Maybe it's the Madden curse. Either way, there are worse moves you can make than adding Cunningham to your bench in deep leagues.

Denard Robinson (RB, JAX) - 6% owned on Fleaflicker

Man, I love when players make me look good. Storm Johnson failed in his opportunity to be the starter, and in Week 7 it was Denard Robinson who got the chance. Someone on twitter asked me before games started if he should start Robinson in a very deep league, and based on a gut feeling I said "yes." Denard rewarded us with 22 rushes for 137 yards and a touchdown. Did anyone tell Denard that he was supposed to fall flat so that all of us streaming the Browns Defense could have a good day?

As I mentioned when I wrote about him before, Robinson isn't exactly built like a lead back. He's only 199 pounds, but he's very, very fast. The Jaguars must be thrilled with Robinson's performance in Week 7, as any team would be when they have a player rush over 100 yards. I'll stick with my original recommendation of him in 12+ team leagues, but with the caveat that I still don't trust the Jaguars O-line on most days. Still, if you're looking for running backs on the wire more than half way through the season, then I suppose beggars can't be choosers.

 Anthony Dixon / Bryce Brown (RB, BUF) - 1% and 7% owned on Fleaflicker

Many of us just thought Fred Jackson would never stop producing. The man I commonly refer to as the Fantasy Frankenstein just refused to age. Unfortunately, Jackson came up with a groin injury during this week's game. This was the moment all C.J. Spiller owners were waiting for, the moment that the Buffalo Bills would finally have to give C.J. Spiller the touches he deserves.

Things didn't go according to plan for Spiller, as he broke his collarbone after breaking off a long run. We feel terrible for both Spiller and Jackson, and wish them both a speedy recovery, but the show must go on. Enter Anthony "Boobie" Dixon. Bills commentators games were giggling like third graders when they got to say the name "Boobie" repeatedly during the broadcast. Mr. Dixon didn't care though, responding to the call by rushing 13 times for 51 yards. He also added three receptions for 15 yards, demonstrating solid pass-catching ability and PPR potential.

You will not find Anthony Dixon on Fleaflicker. Instead, you must search "Boobie" Dixon. Before you do, though, I recommend picking up Bryce Brown instead. While both could easily handle the lead back role, this is the sort of situation that inspired the Bills to acquire Brown. Dixon rushed for an average of 2.0 yards per carry last year, while the much-younger Brown rushed for an average of 4.2. Look for the Bills to lean on Brown until Jackson recovers. Brown can be added safely in 12-team leagues or deeper; I'd monitor Dixon but stay away for now.

Stepfan Taylor (RB, ARI) - 6% owned on Fleaflicker

Stepfan Taylor burst onto the scene this Sunday, to the disappointment of many Andre Ellington owners.  He rushed 12 times for 40 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 2 receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown. Taylor doesn't grade out well athletically, and he'll be on the weaker side of an RB split with Ellington.  It's also worth pointing out that Ellington did have a great day in Week 7 and is still firmly entrenched as the lead back and primary pass-catching back. However, Taylor will get some red zone touches, making him worth a look in deeper leagues, especially with how hot the Cardinals offense seems to be right now.

Honorable Running Back Mentions

Travaris Cadet (RB, NO) - 2% owned on Fleaflicker

I've written about Cadet before. All he does is catch passes from Brees and rack up receiving yards. Week 7 was no different, as he caught six passes for 51 yards, and he continues to be the guy we all thought Pierre Thomas would be. Go get Cadet in any PPR league that is 12 teams with deep benches or 14+ teams.

Daniel Thomas (RB, MIA) - 4% owned on Fleaflicker

I've been very impressed with Lamar Miller since a disappointing start to the season. I was even more impressed that the Dolphins managed to beat the Bears this Sunday. I'm not quite as impressed with Miller's backup Daniel Thomas, but he did have 50 all-purpose yards in Week 7. Considering that he doesn't get many touches though, I can't really recommend Thomas in anything shallower than a 14-team league.

Jerick Mckinnon (RB, MIN) - 48% owned on Fleaflicker

Long story short: McKninnon is a freak of an athlete. He grades out in at least the 87th percentile in every measure of running back athleticism. He had a big game last week, and is the only running back this year to rush for 100 yards against the Bills. Do you think he should be more than 48 % owned? I do. When you can get 100 + yards running behind that joke the Vikings call an O-line, you deserve to be added in all leagues.

Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) - 56% owned on Fleaflicker

More than 50% owned, but I wanted to touch on him quickly. He's the lead back now that he is healthy while Deangelo Williams is out with an ankle injury for a couple more weeks. While the Panthers don't run a ton, Stewart did gain 55 yards on 14 attempts in Week 7, and added a 12-yard catch for good measure. Those in deeper PPR leagues should roll the dice on Stewart as a bye-week fill-in.

As always, if you'd like to talk you can always find me on twitter @RekedFantasy. Until next week, RotoBallers!