Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 7 Running Backs (RB)

Baller Move: Stash in all formats.

Analysis: The upward-trending Ellington bumped his production up yet again this week. Ellington, still available in over 60% of leagues, was finally called upon more than the horribly struggling Mendenhall. For the first time this season, the Cardinals finally leaned more on Ellington, after weeks of him showing up the veteran Mendenhall. Ellington had 12 touches compared to Rashard's 11. That marks yet another week of increased action for Ellington, who rolled for 56 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. Andre added five catches for 36 yards. Compare this to Mendenhall's 40 yards on 10 carries and lone catch for a measly two yards, and the efficiency I have been talking about for weeks with regard to Ellington seems to be leading to Mendenhall spending more time on the sidelines, as predicted.  Ellington looks to be the back to own moving forward, and is at the very least worth a stash while his role comes more into focus.

Baller Move: Stash is deeper formats

Analysis: Don't laugh, please. Against my better judgement, I have added Jacobs to the mix. While he is ancient, and has looked absolutely dreadful all season, his performance on Thursday Night Football warrants an appearance on this list. In a year with such a small pool of reliable backs, Old Man Jacobs's 106-yard, two-touchdown performance-- to say nothing of the upcoming matchup against a soft Viking's run D-- forces me to say he is worth an add, and possibly even a start as a bye-week fill-in. I'm not sold on Jacobs, and have no intention of starting him just yet, but he is worth looking into, even if just for a one-week fill-in, or more likely a hail-mary stash. Good luck if you are in a position to count on him!

Baller Move: Stash in deeper leagues, potential bye-week fill-in.

Analysis: DeMarco Murray is expected to miss at least one week, meaning Joseph Randle is most likely in line for a start against the sub-par Eagles D. Lance Dunbar is struggling with hamstring problems at the moment, but should he be healthy, he could be a change-of-pace obstacle in the way of a heavy workload for Randle. Randle saw most of his work as a second-half replacement against Washington on Sunday night, and managed just 17 yards on 11 carries. He did have two carries in a drive that started as a first-and-goal from the three-yard line, and managed to get in on his second try to salvage an otherwise negligible fantasy performance. Keep your eye on Murray's status, as if he should miss multiple weeks, Randle becomes a high-upside add with Dallas facing the softest run defenses on their schedule in quick succession coming up.

Baller Move: Stash in Deep PPR formats.

Analysis: Ogbonnaya's performance against the soft Lion's D is most likely just a bump in the road for McGahee's total usurpation of the Browns' run game. That said, anytime a running back see's 12 targets in the pass game, he is worth keeping an eye on in PPR formats. The fact that Ogbonnaya turned out a five-carry, 24-yard effort along with seven receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown only adds to the argument that he is worth stashing, at least in deep PPR formats. If you are still holding onto guys like Julio Jones (non-keeper), Eddie Royal, and (heaven forbid) Zach Sudfeld-- or any of the other big duds from this season-- Ogbonnaya is the type of high-upside bench gamble that could pay off in the long run. And he's available in well over 90% of leagues.

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