October 4, 2016

Pierre Camus' Week 5 waiver wire adds for running backs (RB). These are NFL RBs to target in 2016 fantasy football leagues, both PPR and standard waiver wires.

This article will aim to highlight Week 5 waiver wire adds for running backs, players that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire. Running backs will be split up into three tiers - from most desirable, to most desperate. I will also include RBs at the bottom of this list that you might consider cutting in order to make room for your new additions.

Once you're done here, be sure to read about more Week 5 waiver wire recommendations, for all other positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

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Frontrunners for Week 5 - Waiver Wire Running Backs

This group consists of running backs that I would recommend adding if they are available on your waiver wire. Some are more viable for PPR formats, so take note of that. These players have either earned a greater workload due to injury/performance issues or have shown that they can be weekly contributors to their NFL teams. All players listed have 50% or less ownership levels across fantasy leagues.

Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) - 24% owned - Powell saw an uptick in usage against the Seahawks as starter Matt Forte is slowly seeing his role decrease. Now, Forte's early exit due to a leg injury has put his status for Week 5 in question, making Powell a strong, speculative add, especially for Forte owners. Powell took exactly four carries for the third time this season, but his value lies in the passing game. He caught six balls for 54 yards, giving him 103 yards on the year in split duty. Standard league owners can probably leave Powell alone, but in PPR leagues, he can be considered for a flex spot this coming week.

Terrance West (RB, BAL) - 27% owned - West took the lead role in Baltimore's running game and may have made Justin Forsett expendable again. He ran for 113 yards on 21 carries and scored the first touchdown by a Ravens running back this season. The impending return of Kenneth Dixon may complicate things, but West's performance makes him a top add this week for owners still trying to fill the void of an injured running back (or two). Baltimore has a choice matchup at home against Washington's porous defense in Week 5.

Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) - 26% owned - Some of you smartly stashed him last week in anticipation of a return in Week 5. Dixon hasn't been formally activated and there isn't any way to predict how much playing time he will see, but he makes for a worthy add due to his potential the rest of the season. A big game by West tempers some of the enthusiasm regarding Dixon's immediate value, but don't let that deter you from taking a chance on the younger RB.

In The Running - Week 5 Waiver Wire Running Backs

This group consists of running backs widely available on the waiver wire who aren't must-adds, but could be worth stashing or streaming if the above options are already taken.

C.J. Spiller (RB, SEA) - 7% owned - Discarded by the Saints and then signed by Seattle just days ago, Spiller suddenly has life again. Pete Carroll didn't waste any time getting Spiller involved in the offense, giving him a pair of carries and three targets after just three days with the team. He scored on a pass play in the first quarter and now appears to be a viable flex play in PPR leagues for as long as Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise remain out.

Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) - 7% owned - Matt Jones had his best game of the year, but Thompson also made his presence felt with a receiving touchdown early in the game. Thompson carried the ball just three times for 24 yards and caught two balls for 16 yards. Thompson now has 71 rushing yards and 82 receiving yards on the season. He won't see a bigger role unless Jones goes down, but the way things are going this year with injuries, it wouldn't be a surprise.

Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) - 40% owned - After a great deal of buzz about Washington's increased role and confidence from the coaching staff, he burned owners who took a chance on him. He managed just six yards on two carries before leaving with an ankle injury. He had a hard time putting pressure on his foot while heading to the sideline, but the severity of the injury remains unknown. Washington still has an opportunity to make an impact this season, so it's too early to simply give up on him, but this week definitely dropped his value down a notch.

Honorable Mentions: Darren Sproles (RB, PHI) 47% owned, Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI) 12% owned, DeAndre Washington (RB, OAK) 11% owned, Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) 23% owned

Dark Horses - Week 5 Running Backs Waiver Wire

This group consists of running backs who are strictly desperation plays. They could serve as a bye week fill-in, short-term injury replacement or weekly lottery ticket.

Devontae Booker (RB, DEN) - 10% owned - Booker didn't do anything special this week, logging 30 yards on seven carries. What's encouraging, though, is how efficient Denver's offense has been, regardless of who is at quarterback. C.J. Anderson has been a beast, with Booker the clear No. 2 behind him. If Anderson is the next RB1 to fall, Booker becomes a must-own.

Fozzy Whittaker (RB, CAR) - 36% owned - Whittaker is getting little run in the backfield, but as a pass-catcher he is providing solid PPR value. Nine catches for 86 yards resulted in a fair point total for owners who flexed him on Sunday. Jonathan Stewart may return next week, but there should still be a third-down role for Whittaker.

Zach Zenner (RB, DET) - 0% owned - When Dwayne Washington exited the game, Zenner got the first three carries of the season and his NFL career. If Washington plays, Zenner has no value, but if Washington is inactive for Week 5, Zenner could see a goal-line role.

Dexter McCluster (RB, SD) - 3% owned - McCluster is not seeing his role increase in San Diego as expected, but if Melvin Gordon can't hold onto the ball, that may change. McCluster carried the ball once and caught two passes in a choice matchup against New Orleans. Keep him on waivers until he actually starts seeing targets.

Troymaine Pope (RB, NYJ) - 0% owned - If (and only if) Matt Forte is forced to miss extended time, Pope could be in the mix for carries. The undrafted rookie from Jacksonville State is a small back at 5'8", but impressed in the preseason with 162 yards rushing for a 6.8 Y/A average. He can be considered a deep sleeper at this point, but one worth monitoring.

Honorable Mentions: Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA) 9% owned, Daniel Lasco (RB, NO) 0% owned, Mike Gillislee (RB, BUF) 1% owned, Jalen Richard (RB, OAK) 6% owned, Kenjon Barner (RB, PHI) 1% owned

Also-Rans

Justin Forsett (RB, BAL) - 47% owned - With Dixon on his way back, Forsett's workload was already in question. Then, just before kickoff against the Raiders, it was announced that Forsett would be a healthy scratch. It seems that he was re-signed solely to provide depth until Week 5. If you really want a Ravens running back, Forsett should now be your fourth choice, behind Dixon, West, and Javorius Allen.

Jay Ajayi (RB, MIA) - 30% owned - As a fantasy owner and Dolphins fan, I'm officially throwing in the towel on Ajayi for this season. Arian Foster's absence the last two weeks gave him a golden opportunity, but he has only been able to net 119 total yards. He was handed the ball just six times on Thursday night. Ajayi will have almost no role in this offense once Foster returns and has minimal value even without Foster around.

James White (RB, NE) - 27% owned - You just can't trust New England running backs. While LeGarrette Blount, who some speculated might not make the final roster in the preseason, continues to feed, White has become strictly a third-down back. Over four games, he has accumulated just 59 rushing yards and 152 receiving yards with no touchdowns. Sure, he can get you a few points here and there in PPR leagues, but you probably want more upside at the position than White can offer. Dion Lewis won't be back for a while, but if White isn't performing by now, he isn't likely to start anytime soon.