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Phil Clark's fantasy football running back (RB) waiver wire pickups for Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream and stash off waivers.
How did your running backs perform during their matchups in Week 10? Jonathan Taylor, De'Von Achane, TreVeyon Henderson, and Jahmyr Gibbs accumulated 140+ rushing yards, which was easy to embrace if any of those backs are contained on your rosters. Quinshon Judkins re-emerged from his shoulder injury to operate as Cleveland’s RB1, while Saquon Barkley is primed to resurface as Philadelphia's lead back on Monday Night.
Unfortunately, several other backs remain sidelined (Bucky Irving/Omarion Hampton/Trey Benson/Rhamondre Stevenson) as you intensify your planning for Week 11. The unwanted process of managing bye weeks will also continue as two teams will be impacted this week - Indianapolis and New Orleans. This ensures that anyone with Taylor or Alvin Kamara on their rosters should remove them from their starting lineups.
However, this article is designed to help you navigate injuries, bye weeks, and all other hurdles by identifying the best running backs that are available on your waiver wires. That will include this week's top priorities, along with a collection of secondary options, and a group of high upside handcuffs. After you've finished this breakdown, you can also find fantasy football waiver wire pickups at other positions. Good luck with your Week 11 matchups!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Upcoming Bye Weeks
- Week 11: Indianapolis, New Orleans
- Week 12: Washington, Miami, Denver, Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 14: New England, Carolina, San Francisco, New York Giants
Top Priorities - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
Prioritize These Running Backs On Most Waiver Wires
| Top Priorities | Team | Rostered |
| Trey Benson | Arizona Cardinals | 61% |
| Emari Demercado | Arizona Cardinals | 37% |
| Isaiah Davis | New York Jets | 10% |
| Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans | 36% |
| Sean Tucker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8% |
| Chris Rodriguez Jr | Washington Commanders | 6% |
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals - 61% Rostered
Benson’s rostership percentage has eclipsed 60% in anticipation of his return to Arizona’s backfield rotation. While his availability is now stationed just below the usual threshold of 40%, the importance of adding Benson in leagues where he remains attainable provides the rationale for including him among this week’s Tier 1 options.
2nd year RB Trey Benson for 52 yards
AZvsNO on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/0kWYCp0G2e
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
Benson had briefly operated as Arizona’s lead back after James Conner suffered a foot injury in Week 3. However, Benson was placed on injured reserve on October 1 after he sustained a knee injury in Week 4.
Benson has not returned to practice, and the 21-day window for him to return from injured reserve has not been activated. Arizona has allocated touches to Emari Demercado, Bam Knight, and Michael Carter during Benson’s absence.
However, no member of that trio will present an obstacle that impedes Benson from soaring atop the Cardinals’ depth chart once he can operate with an extensive workload.
Benson’s status should be monitored in advance of Arizona’s Week 11 matchup with San Francisco. However, he should be prioritized as a roster addition in leagues where he remains available.
Emari Demercado, Arizona Cardinals - 37% Rostered
Demercado, Knight, and Carter have shared touches during Benson’s recovery. Their erratic workloads have largely led to inconsistent production for fantasy managers who have deployed the trio of backs in their lineups.
However, Demercado’s numbers since Week 9 have combined with the ankle injury that was sustained by Knight in Week 10 to vault Demercado among this week’s Tier 1 options.
Emari Demercado breaks free for the big gain
AZvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/ucwONuRhuo
— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2025
Demercado has now secured a 41.1% snap share during his last two matchups, while accumulating 18 attempts (9.0 per game) and 143 rushing yards (71.5 per game). He has also run 25 routes, captured four of his five targets, and produced 39 yards as a receiving weapon.
Knight had attained a 56.7% snap share in Week 9 and had registered nine attempts and 27 rushing yards. He also paced the Cardinals’ backfield in both snap share (46.6%) and attempts (10), and assembled 28 rushing yards before he encountered his ankle issue. Carter also secured an 11% snap share, while accruing seven touches and 38 total yards when Arizona traveled to Seattle in Week 10.
The status of both Benson and Knight should be monitored as the Cardinals' matchup with the 49ers approaches. Demercado can be utilized as an RB3/flex option during that contest if Benson and Knight are inactive.
Isaiah Davis, New York Jets - 10% Rostered
Davis remains embedded among the most intriguing backs to stash on your rosters due to his prospects of securing a larger workload within the Jets’ offense.
This is a byproduct of his unchallenged role as the RB2 in a New York backfield that was restructured following Braelon Allen’s knee injury in Week 4.
Davis has now attained a 38.9% snap share since Week 5. He has also accumulated 92 rushing yards (18.4 per game), with his 15 attempts (3.0 per game), as Breece Hall has confiscated the majority of opportunities as a rusher (17.2 attempts/85.2 yards per game).
Davis’s capabilities as a three-down back have also fueled his continued involvement as a receiving weapon. Davis has also run 72 routes and had risen among the top 11 in multiple receiving categories from Weeks 5-8, before the Jets entered their bye week (14 targets/3.5 per game), (11 receptions/2.8 per game), (93 receiving yards/23.5 per game), (88 yards after the catch).
Davis is also primed to operate with an extensive workload as New York’s primary back if Hall is sidelined during any of the Jets’ remaining matchups. That provides your incentive to secure Davis this week.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 36% Rostered
Spears’ viability as a roster resource for fantasy managers has steadily increased as the regular season has unfolded. He emerged from injured reserve in Week 5 (ankle) and was limited to modest involvement during his season debut (25.4% snap share/four touches/14 total yards).
However, Spears has secured a favorable role in the Titans’ offense following his integration into a rotation with Tony Pollard. Spears has operated with a 50.4% snap share since Week 6, which has nearly matched the percentage that has been attained by Pollard (50.8%).
.@tyjae22 dances through the defense for 26 yards
📺: #LACvsTEN on @NFLonCBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/N3hboUCNAY
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 2, 2025
Spears has also exceeded Pollard’s totals in routes run (68/59), targets (14/12), receptions (13/10), receiving yards 96/77 and yards after catch (108/60 during the Titans’ last four matchups.
He has also accumulated 26 attempts (6.5 per game), assembled 138 rushing yards (34.5 per game), and averaged over 6.0 yards per attempt during two of his four games during that span (6.2/6.6).
Spears’ versatility and his ongoing role within the Titans’ backfield maintain his ability to deliver RB2/RB3 production even as he operates in a timeshare with Pollard. That also delivers your motivation for pursuing Spears on your waiver wire this week.
Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 8% Rostered
Tucker provides an explosive presence to Tampa Bay‘s backfield, although he remains stationed below Bucky Irving and Rachaad White on the Buccaneers’ depth chart when both veterans can elude injuries.
However, Tucker has been functioning in rotation with White, while Irving has been contending with foot and shoulder issues. Tucker has also gained relevance for fantasy managers as his usage and output have increased during Tampa Bay’s last two matchups.
Sean Tucker powers it in for the Bucs TD on 4th down 💪
TBvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dZ6uNf7eK3
— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025
Tucker has nearly matched White’s total in attempts during that sequence (23/21), while he has secured a 33.8% snap share, assembled 95 rushing yards, and averaged 4.5 yards per attempt.
That includes Tucker’s numbers when the Buccaneers hosted New England in Week 10. Tucker operated with a 33.3% snap share, carried nine times, assembled a season-high 53 rushing yards, and averaged 5.9 yards per attempt.
Irving’s status should be monitored in advance of Tampa Bay’s visit to Buffalo in Week 11. However, that should not deter you from adding Tucker due to the prospects of Irving remaining inactive once again. Tucker retains the potential to erupt for sizable yardage if he maintains his role in the Buccaneers’ reconstructed backfield.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders - 6% Rostered
Rodriguez’s status should be monitored after he sustained a shoulder injury during Washington’s Week 10 matchup with Detroit. However, he should be targeted on your waiver wire this week, due to his rising role in the promising increase in early down and short yardage situations.
Rodriguez had operated with a 36.5% snap share in Weeks 3 and 4, which nearly matched the percentage that was secured by Jacory Croskey-Merritt (37.7%).
Rodriguez also averaged 9.0 attempts/49.0 rushing yards per game during those contests before his involvement decreased significantly from Weeks 5-8 (11.1% snap share/2.3 carries/5.3 yards per game).
However, Rodriguez attained a 33.8% snap share when Washington hosted Seattle in Week 9. He also established season highs in attempts (12), red zone carries (three), and rushing yards (65).
Rodriguez had also attained a 35.3% snap share in Week 10, while accumulating six carries, generating 16 rushing yards, and producing his third touchdown since Week 7 before his shoulder issue forced him to the sideline.
Rodriguez now leads Washington in red zone attempts since Week 1 (13), while Croskey-Merritt has accumulated 11. Rodriguez can operate as a flex option if he re-emerges for the Commanders’ Week 11 matchup with Miami.
Secondary Options - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These Running Backs Could Become Assets For Your Rosters
| Secondary Options | Team | Rostered |
| Bhayshul Tuten | Jacksonville Jaguars | 32% |
| Keaton Mitchell | Baltimore Ravens | 1% |
| Phil Mafah | Dallas Cowboys | 0% |
| Emanuel Wilson | Green Bay Packers | 8% |
| Tahj Brooks | Cincinnati Bengals | 1% |
Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars - 32% Rostered
Tuten retains his place among this week’s most intriguing roster additions. However, the enticement of his ongoing potential to explode for big plays is offset by the continued restrictions on his workload.
Tuten has attained a 20.3% snap share since Week 1. That percentage remains third within Jacksonville’s backfield behind Travis Etienne (59.2%) and LeQuint Allen Jr. (21.6%), although Allen has been limited to just 12 touches since Week 1.
Tuten’s share had improved to 26.8% from Weeks 7-9, as he accumulated 14 attempts (7.0 per game) and 51 rushing yards (25.5 per game) during that sequence.
Tuten also operated with a 27.3% snap share in Week 10. He also carried four times, amassed five rushing yards, and collected one of his two targets from Trevor Lawrence.
64.8% of his yards have been generated after contact, since Week 1, according to Fantasy Points Data. Tuten has also collected 13 carries inside the red zone, including seven since Week 9.
Tuten has not achieved standalone value. However, the convergence of his exceptional speed, agility, and acceleration sustains his potential to deliver a statistical eruption if his workload expands during the Jaguars’ upcoming matchups.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens - 1% Rostered
Mitchell’s overall numbers have been limited throughout the regular season due to his role within a backfield rotation in which Derrick Henry confiscates the vast majority of opportunities. However, appears increasingly positioned to operate as the temporary lead back if Henry is sidelined during Baltimore’s remaining matchups.
Mitchell did not secure his first offensive snap until Week 5 and had only registered six snaps entering Week 8. He had also been limited to three carries and eight rushing yards during that span. However, he has secured a 12% snap share while accumulating 12 attempts and 85 rushing yards (7.1 yards per attempt) during his last three contests.
Mitchell also carried four times and assembled 31 rushing yards when the Ravens traveled to Minnesota in Week 10. Justice Hill was limited to just one rushing attempt and has averaged only 2.0 carries per game since Week 1 while maintaining his role as Baltimore’s pass-catching back.
Mitchell would confiscate the majority of rushing attempts if Henry is unavailable and retains the ability to erupt for significant yardage if that scenario develops. He remains available in 99% of all leagues and is a viable stash if you manage rosters in deeper leagues.
Phil Mafah, Dallas Cowboys - 0% Rostered
Mafah has yet to register the first snap of his rookie season, but there is an expanding pathway for him to secure touches in the Cowboys’ backfield.
Mafah is a physical runner who accumulated 2,080 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns during his final two seasons at the collegiate level. He also captured 42 of his 61 targets and assembled 211 receiving yards during that span.
Dallas selected Mafah during Round 7 of the 2025 NFL Draft (239th overall). He later sustained a shoulder injury during the Cowboys’ final preseason matchup, which led to his placement on injured reserve (August 27).
However, Mafah could soon emerge as the RB2 behind Javonte Williams. The Cowboys’ coaching staff has repeatedly displayed reluctance to entrust Jaydon Blue with an ongoing role in the offense. Blue was relegated to a healthy inactive status from Weeks 1-4, and was a healthy scratch once again in Week 9.
Malik Davis was also waived on November 4, which increases the likelihood that Mafah will receive touches if Dallas activates him from injured reserve. That supplies your justification for stashing Mafah this week.
Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers - 8% Rostered
Wilson was not included among the high upside handcuff options throughout much of the regular season. However, Wilson’s sustained involvement as the RB2 in Green Bay’s offense has solidified the third-year back as a legitimate insurance policy if you invested in Josh Jacobs during draft season.
Emanuel Wilson takes the screen pass and matriculates the ball past the 50
GBvsDAL on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/NYHnnWJhJu— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2025
Wilson has operated with a 36.2% snap share since Week 7. He has also carried 23 times (7.7 per game) and generated 94 rushing yards (31.3 per game). He is also 11th among all backs with eight attempts inside the red zone during that sequence.
Jacobs remains the unquestioned lead back for the Packers, but Wilson has solidified his role as Jacobs’ direct backup. Chris Brooks has registered a 12% snap share while being limited to two carries since Week 1.
The injury-laden history of MarShawn Lloyd also continues as he has yet to be activated from injured reserve. Lloyd’s return does not appear imminent, which will preserve Wilson’s current role. It also solidifies Wilson as a viable roster addition.
Tahj Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals - 1% Rostered
Brooks was the 19th running back to be selected during April‘s NFL draft (193rd overall), after he accumulated 4,557 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns during five years at Texas Tech.
Brooks also soared to second overall in carries (290/22.3 per game), and fourth in yardage (1,538-118.3 per game) during 2023, while rising to fourth in attempts (286/26.0 per game), and eighth in yardage (1505/136.8 per game) during 2024.
There was a rationale for believing that Brooks could leapfrog Samaje Perine on the Bengals’ depth chart to become the Bengals’ RB2, but Perine has presented imposing competition for Brooks.
Perine operated with a 42.7% snap share and averaged 7.8 touches/48 total yards per game from Weeks 5-8. However, Perine sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 9, and his status for Cincinnati’s Week 11 matchup in Pittsburgh is uncertain.
Updates surrounding Perine’s health should be monitored. However, Brooks can be stashed if you are constructing rosters in deeper leagues, as he will become the direct backup to Chase Brown if Perine is unavailable in Week 11. That positions Brooks to secure a sizable workload if Brown is forced to the sideline.
High Upside Handcuffs - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These Running Backs Are Insurance Policies That Protect You From A Roster Crisis
| High Upside Handcuffs | Team | Rostered |
| Tyler Allgeier | Atlanta Falcons | 33% |
| Blake Corum | Los Angeles Rams | 11% |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | San Francisco 49ers | 24% |
| Devin Neal | New Orleans Saints | 2% |
| Tank Bigsby | Philadelphia Eagles | 26% |
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 33% Rostered
The continued availability of Allgeier provides you with an opportunity to seize a valuable handcuff if Bijan Robinson is a mainstay in your lineups, as the addition of Allgeier will diminish the impact of any absence by Robinson during your upcoming matchups.
The distribution of touches between Robinson and Allgeier in the Falcons’ backfield rotation also supplies the option of utilizing Allgeier as a flex option, if you are willing to risk the potential frustrations of his fluctuating workloads.
Allgeier has now exceeded a 30% snap share during six of his matchups. He has also eclipsed 10+ carries during five of his games and has surpassed 50 rushing yards three times. That includes his numbers in Week 10, when Allgeier secured a 38,3% snap share and accumulated 11 attempts/57 yards.
TA ALL DAY
NFLN | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/wWRAC44SJ3
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 9, 2025
Allgeier also scored two touchdowns for the second time in his career, which expanded his season total to six. He has also garnered 21 opportunities inside the red zone and 13 carries inside the 10-yard line since Week 1.
That should encourage you to add Allgeier, who also remains capable of providing RB1 production if Robinson is forced to the sideline.
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams - 11% Rostered
Corum remains stationed directly below Kyren Williams on the Los Angeles depth chart. This has solidified his status as a top-tier handcuff as he functions as the Rams’ RB2. Corum has operated with a 32.7% snap share since Week 7.
Corum was also averaging 4.8 attempts per game from Weeks 1-6. However, he has now surpassed that number in each of his last three matchups while accumulating 12 in Week 7 and 13 in Weeks 9 and 10.
Corum has also averaged 57 rushing yards per game since Week 9. He has also collected six attempts inside the red zone during that sequence, which has expanded his total to 11 since Week 1. Corum has also risen to 16th among all backs in rush yards over expected per attempt (0.63) according to Next Gen Stats.
Corum remains unchallenged in his current role, as Jarquez Hunter still has not registered an offensive snap throughout his rookie season.
The positions to operate with a massive workload in Sean McVay’s offense if Williams is sidelined during any of the Rams’ remaining matchups. Corum would become a valuable resource on your roster if that situation transpires.
Brian Robinson Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 24% Rostered
Robinson continues to operate as the RB2 in San Francisco’s offense, which places him adjacent to Christian McCaffrey on the 49ers’ depth chart. That cements Robinson’s status as an essential insurance policy for anyone who relies on McCaffrey as we advance toward the fantasy postseason.
Robinson‘s role has prevented him from securing standalone value as Kyle Shanahan entrusts McCaffrey with an extensive workload. McCaffrey leads all backs with an 84.8% snap share. His average of 18.0 attempts per game is the second highest of his career, while he is also pacing his position in routes run (323), targets (89/8.9 per game), and receiving yards (692/69.2 per game).
That has restricted Robinson’s numbers as he enters Week 11 (16% snap share/4.9 attempts/27.8 rushing yards per game). However, that does not diminish Robinson’s potential to become a critical resource if McCaffrey is unable to sustain his massive workload for any reason.
Robinson is capable of delivering RB1 production in Shanahan's offense if he ascends into temporary lead back duties for San Francisco. That should encourage you to stash Robinson, who could become a significant asset in the event of McCaffrey's absence.
Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints - 2% Rostered
Neal functioned as the Saints’ RB2 for the third consecutive week when New Orleans visited Carolina in Week 10. Neal has now attained a 40.0% snap share since Week 8. Neal has also carried seven times, generated 33 rushing yards, run 31 routes, and has collected all seven of his targets.
That includes Neal’s numbers when New Orleans visited Carolina in Week 10. Neal registered a 34.3% snap share while assembling 45 total yards with his nine touches. He also ran 10 routes and captured his only target.
Alvin Kamara attained a 63% snap share in Week 10, while pacing the Saints in attempts (22), rushing yards (83), routes run (17), and receiving yards (32).
The Saints had also signed Audric Estime to their active roster from their practice squad on November 5. However, Estime played on three snaps in Week 10, as Neal remains secure in his role as New Orleans’ RB2.
Kamara is still operating as the Saints’ primary back, but Neal will function as New Orleans' RB1 if Kamara’s status is altered for any reason during the Saints’ remaining contests.
Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles - 26% Rostered
Bigsby had been limited to just four snaps and two touches from Weeks 2-7, following the trade that sent him from Jacksonville to Philadelphia. However, the groin injury that Saquon Barkley sustained in Week 8 vaulted Bigsby into temporary lead-back duties during the Eagles’ matchup with the Giants.
Bigsby secured a 27.1% snap share, while generating 104 rushing yards on just nine attempts, and averaging 11.6 yards per attempt. Bigsby also vaulted to fourth among all backs in yards after contact (77) during Week 8.
Barkley’s injury initially fueled lingering uncertainty surrounding his prospects of operating as Philadelphia’s primary back in Week 10. However, Barkley now appears primed to re-emerge in his customary workhorse role when Philadelphia visits Green Bay on Monday night.
That does not diminish the opportunity to secure Bigsby as a safeguard to reduce the impact of any additional absence by Barkley.
Bigsby would operate with another expanded workload if that scenario develops, even though Will Shipley would also siphon a percentage of touches. That elevates Bigsby among this week’s recommended handcuffs to pursue from the waiver wire.
Other Fantasy Football Running Backs To Consider
These running backs are rostered in over 60% of leagues, but should be added in any leagues where they remain available:
- Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears - 76% Rostered
- Woody Marks, Houston Texans - 65% Rostered
- Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs - 63% Rostered
Good luck in Week 11!
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2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Isaiah Davis, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, Tyjae Spears, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Sean Tucker. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
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