Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 8

Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups before Week 8.

Fantasy GMs are to be commended for rising to the unique challenges that have unfolded during this regular season. Injuries to critical players is an unwelcome reality that occurs every year. This is also the case for backs that were expected to operate as RB1s, but have been relegated to committees. However, this season has required a new level of flexibility to also absorb the COVID-related postponements and ongoing potential for adjusted schedules.

We have also progressed into planning for scheduled bye weeks, which includes the four teams that will be impacted in Week 8 – Arizona, Houston, Jacksonville, and Washington. This ensures that anyone with Kenyan Drake, Chase Edmonds, David Johnson, James Robinson, Antonio Gibson, or J.D. McKissic on their rosters will have to avoid starting them this week. It also will provide managers with an additional factor that could fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire.

These recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners for anyone that is 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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Frontrunners - Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs

These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard. All players have 60% or less ownership in typical fantasy leagues.

Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals

59% rostered

Bernard has functioned as the primary backup to Joe Mixon throughout the season. But he has not produced the same level of conversation as many other runners who are one injury away from becoming an unquestioned lead back. Nor has he engendered the same level of interest from fantasy GMs that has been received by the elite insurance policies Chase Edmonds, Alexander Mattison, and Tony Pollard. However, Joe Mixon’s absence in Week 7 (foot) presented Bernard with an opportunity to operate with Cincinnati’s RB1 responsibilities.

BURROW. BERNARD. @Bengals take the lead with 1:06 remaining!

?: #CLEvsCIN on CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/MIIkbfUwYk pic.twitter.com/USYaRhuqG6

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2020

Bernard established new season highs in touches (18), and total yards (96), including 59 yards as a receiving weapon. He has also collected 21 of 25 targets for 174 yards through seven contests. Mixon’s status should be monitored as the week progresses. But Bernard will continue to function as the Bengals’ primary back if Mixon remains unavailable this week. Bernard should be prioritized among Week 8’s primary waiver wire targets. Anyone with Mixon on their rosters should also make it a priority to add Bernard, regardless of whether or not Mixon reemerges this week.

JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers

20% rostered 

Projecting how Kyle Shanahan will deploy his backfield resources is often a formidable task. However, Hasty now appears destined to collect a sizable touch total for the foreseeable future, and could easily operate as San Francisco's lead back. Hasty had registered two touches in Week 7 while Jeff Wilson Jr. was in the process of accumulating 17 carries, generating 112 yards, and producing three touchdowns. But Hasty was immediately elevated into an expanded role when Wilson was carted off with a leg injury. He amassed 10 touches and assembled 73 total yards following Wilson's departure, while also demonstrating his elusiveness and versatility.

“First carry, I knew the kid had something.” —Kyle on JaMycal Hasty after seeing his first #nfl carry pic.twitter.com/55VcvoNkpm

— Coach Yac ? (@Coach_Yac) October 26, 2020

The undrafted free agent accumulated nearly 2,000 yards as a rusher (1,998) and 485 yards as a receiver during four seasons at Baylor. His ability to operate in the ground game and function as a pass-catcher should remain on display as he absorbs an expanded workload this week. Hasty is currently available in 80% percent of all leagues and can provide managers with a viable RB3/flex option to help navigate the challenges of bye weeks and injuries.

La'Mical Perine, New York Jets

16% rostered

The first year back had only attained a 12% snap share entering Week 6, and had also accumulated just 17 touches. But his involvement increased sizably during the Jets’ last two matchups. He performed on 41 (58%) of the Jets offensive snaps during the team’s AFC matchup against Miami, then received more touches than Frank Gore (13/11) when the Jets hosted Buffalo in Week 7. Perine also responded by accruing 55 total yards and his first career touchdown against the Bills.

Lamical Perine’s first career TD pic.twitter.com/XPkOxyDdun

— Nick de la Torre (@NickdelaTorreGC) October 25, 2020

He also established new career highs in carries (11), touches, and rushing yards (39). His expanded usage by Adam Gase is an encouraging development while the promising rookie has also provided a level of burst that is nonexistent at this point of Gore’s lengthy career. Gore’s favorable relationship with Adam Gase has played a significant role in the 37-year-old’s ability to function with lead back responsibilities. However, Perine’s rising touch total  has supplied fantasy GMs with enormous incentive to target him on this week’s waiver wire.

In The Running - Week 8 Waiver Wire Running Backs

These backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.

Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills

46% rostered

Moss was accumulating significant momentum as the offseason was nearing its conclusion, which resulted in his rising ADP. However, his stock has degenerated considerably since that time. His three-game absence due to a toe injury compelled many managers to remove him from their rosters. He returned in Week 6 but was unimpressive during Buffalo's matchup with Kansas City. This persuaded managers in an additional 7% of leagues to drop him during the past seven days.

However, his limited workload was partially a byproduct of game script, while his ineffectiveness could also be partially attributed to his recovery from injury. Moss generated more rushing yards than Devin Singletary in Week (47/29), despite being allotted one fewer carry (8/7.) Moss also attained a higher yards per attempt average than Singletary (6.7/3.6), as he established new career-highs in rushing yards, and total yards (72). This should result in an expanded workload for Moss, who has become available in over 50% of all leagues. It should also entice managers to secure him this week, due to his reemergence as a viable flex option.

Wayne Gallman, New York Giants

2% rostered

Gallman had only accumulated 15 attempts and 76 yards on the ground from Weeks 1-6. But his involvement in the Giant offense rose significantly in Week 7 when Devonta Freeman encountered an ankle injury. That vaulted Gallman into lead back responsibilities when New York faced NFC East rival Philadelphia. He ultimately garnered 10 attempts while assembling 34 yards on the ground. Gallman also collected all five of his targets and generated an additional 20 yards as a receiving weapon.

Wayne Gallman puts the @Giants ahead! #TogetherBlue

?: #NYGvsPHI on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
?: https://t.co/W5bCPYgMfo pic.twitter.com/9EFMwBZK0t

— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2020

Details surrounding Freeman’s availability will be revealed as the week progresses. But Gallman would sustain his role as the Giants’ primary back if Freeman is unable to perform this week. His ceiling will not extend to the same level as several other backs that are attainable on this week’s waiver wire. However, he can operate as a flex option for fantasy GMs if Freeman remains sidelined. That supplies the incentive for you to secure him if injuries and bye weeks are creating lineup obstacles.

Damien Harris, New England Patriots

50% rostered

Even though his overall numbers during New England's last two matchups may not excite you, Harris remains a genuine option and is still accessible in 50% of all leagues. He returned from injured reserve in Week 4 and literally burst into fantasy relevance by accumulating an even 100 yards on 17 attempts. However, in two matchups since the Patriots' reemerged from their Week 5 bye, he has carried 16 times, while accumulating 76 yards on the ground.

New England's backfield is jam-packed with options for the teams' offensive decision-makers to deploy. James White should procure the majority of targets that are distributed to running backs, while Rex Burkhead will retain a moderate level of involvement. But Harris should still operate as the team's primary rusher even after Sony Michel resurfaces from the COVID-19 list. He possesses sufficient talent to retain that role and his bye week is permanently located in the rearview mirror. That provides incentive for managers to target him.

Dark Horses - Week 8 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.

Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers

24% rostered 

Raheem Mostert's extended absence has created a pathway of opportunity for other 49er backs to operate with expanded workloads. Both Wilson and Hasty appeared to have surpassed Jerick McKinnon as the backs of choice within Shanahan's strategic approach during San Francisco's Week 7 matchup in New England. However, Wilson encountered his aforementioned leg injury, which could condense the depth chart even further. But the return of Coleman from injured reserve is imminent and could potentially take place this week.

His reemergence looms as a factor that will alter the equation for the depleted backfield. Coleman's 2020 numbers are underwhelming, as he has been limited to 36 snaps, 21 touches, and 64 total yards. But he should become involved immediately within Shanahan's backfield rotation, even though his touches will be interspersed with Hasty and (possibly) McKinnon. Coleman remains available in 24% of all leagues, and managers can target the sixth-year back among the Week 8 roster additions regardless of when he resurfaces.

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

54% rostered

Dalvin Cook was ninth overall in rushing attempts (92) and third in rushing yardage (489) as the Vikings entered their Week 7 bye, even though Cook was inactive during Week 6 (groin). He will resume lead back duties when Minnesota travels to Green Bay on Sunday. That will also shift Mattison into his previous status as a backup to Cook on the Vikings and an elite insurance policy for anyone with Cook on their rosters. Mattison had been elevated into RB1 responsibilities when Cook was sidelined in Week 6, and his numbers did not match expectations (10 carries/26 yards).

However, the game script during the Vikings' matchup with Atlanta required Minnesota to transition into catch-up mode. This severely limited Mattison's usage and his output. But he remains the same back who was capable of gashing Seattle for 112 yards on 20 attempts (5.6 per attempt) in Week 5. Some fantasy GMs have dropped him which has leaves Mattison available in 46% of all leagues. If you have Cook on your rosters, it is highly recommended that you secure Mattison. This will protect you from a lineup crisis if Cook misses any more matchups during the season.

Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons

12% rostered

Todd Gurley continues to function as Atlanta’s lead back. But Hill is also sustaining his role as Gurley’s primary backup. He is second on the Falcons in rushing attempts (38), and rushing yardage (164), and is averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. His workload is modest compared to Gurley’s. However, Hill is functioning as the Falcons’ RB2, and has retained a 26% snap share. Hill is also firmly planted above Ito Smith on the depth chart. Smith has been limited to a 17% snap share and has been allotted just three touches during Atlanta’s last two matchups combined.

Hill’s usage as a pass-catcher has not been sizable (16 targets/14 receptions/102 yards). But those numbers represent new career highs in each of those categories. Gurley is operating efficiently with his current responsibilities. But if he is sidelined for any reason Hill’s workload will increase significantly, and his value would ignite. Fantasy managers who stash him now could be rewarded as the season advances. Anyone with Gurley on their rosters can also avoid a painful roster dilemma if he becomes unavailable.

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

These backs can be dropped in order to secure a running back with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.

J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens

55% rostered

If you selected Dobbins at his Round 5 ADP during your draft process, your investment has provided you with the opportunity to have Baltimore’s fourth-leading rusher on your roster. He entered Baltimore's Week 7 bye with 154 rushing yards on 25 attempts, which trailed Mark Ingram (50 attempts/225 yards), Lamar Jackson (50 attempts/346 yards), and Gus Edwards (48 attempts/218 yards). The numbers for Jackson and Ingram were expected. However, the fact that Edwards has been allotted nearly twice as many carries as Dobbins should be concerning for anyone who has been patiently waiting for Dobbins to ignite.

Even if Ingram misses time due to his ankle injury, Dobbins does not present the benefit of functioning as an insurance policy. If that situation were to transpire, the Ravens would continue rotating multiple resources within their backfield rather than anoint Dobbins as any form of a workhorse.  If you are participating in a season-long league, you already are combatting injuries, bye weeks, and other variables as the season advances. There is no reason to intensify your roster challenge by retaining Dobbins.

Sony Michel, New England Patriots

26% rostered

There is a cluster of reasons why fantasy GMs should extract Michel from their rosters. He was placed on injured reserve in early October with a quad injury, then the third-year back was included on the COVID-19 list last week. This ensures that he cannot provide any scoring for your rosters until he returns. There is also no guarantee that Michel can be used in your lineups even when he does reemerge. He will be joining an overcrowded backfield, which will involve competing for touches with Damien Harris, James White, and Rex Burkhead.

Sony Michel has tested positive and is being placed on the COVID-19 list. Shaq Mason and Derek Rivers have not tested positive but are being placed on the COVID-19 list, per source.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 17, 2020

White has received a 53.5% snap share since returning to the Patriots in Week 4 and will sustain his role as the primary pass-catching weapon from the backfield. Harris has now amassed 33 rushing attempts while accumulating 177 yards during Michel’s absence and will retain a sizable role in the Patriots’ ground game after Michel returns. Burkhead will also pilfer a percentage of touches, which will reduce Michel’s opportunities even further. If Michel is on your roster you should locate another option.

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