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Phil Clark's fantasy football running back (RB) waiver wire pickups for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream and stash off waivers.
Many of you have been impacted by the recent avalanche of injuries that have reshaped the running back landscape. This has forced you to search diligently for solutions to the sudden loss of backs that had been mainstays in your lineups.
It has also fueled uncertainty surrounding the workloads that would be secured by other running backs within their team’s reconstructed rotations. The reemergence of bye weeks has also accentuated the need for many of you to locate alternative options from your waiver wires. That process continues this week with Minnesota and Houston, and anyone with Jordan Mason or Woody Marks contained on their rosters should avoid starting those backs.
This article is designed to help you navigate injuries, bye weeks, and all other challenging developments 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 6 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 6: Houston, Minnesota
- Week 7: Buffalo, Baltimore
- Week 8: Arizona, Detroit, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles Rams
- Week 9: Philadelphia, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, New York Jets
Top Priorities - Week 6 Waiver Wire Running Backs
Prioritize These Running Backs On Most Waiver Wires
| Top Priorities | Team | Rostered |
| Rico Dowdle | Carolina Panthers | 58% |
| Kendre Miller | New Orleans Saints | 31% |
| Michael Carter | Arizona Cardinals | 39% |
| Kyle Monangai | Chicago Bears | 5% |
| Kenneth Gainwell | Pittsburgh Steelers | 36% |
| Brashard Smith | Kansas City Chiefs | 15% |
Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers - 58% Rostered
Rico Dowdle has soared into the top tier of this week’s waiver wire options after he flourished as Carolina’s RB1 in Week 5.
Rico breaking free
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/BiMwoeEeSw
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 5, 2025
Dowdle’s placement directly below Chuba Hubbard on the Panthers’ depth chart has positioned him to vault into lead-back duties if Hubbard were unable to perform in that capacity for any reason.
That scenario developed in Week 5 as Hubbard’s troublesome calf sidelined him during Carolina’s matchup with Miami.
TD! No Dowdle about it
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/gcXozozKti
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 5, 2025
Dowdle operated with a 69% snap share and capitalized on his 23 attempts by exploding for a career-high 206 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Dowdle also led all backs in efficiency (2.11) and rush yards over expected (105) according to Next Gen Stats. He also ran 18 routes, captured three of his four targets, and generated 28 yards as a receiving weapon.
Hubbard’s situation should be monitored throughout the week, as it is also uncertain whether his calf issue will prevent him from returning for the Panthers' Week 6 matchup with Dallas.
However, Dowdle’s outstanding performance and his prospects of retaining RB1 duties if Hubbard remains sidelined have solidified his status as a back to prioritize for your rosters.
Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints - 31% Rostered
Miller’s encouraging role as the unquestioned RB2 for New Orleans continues to justify seizing him from the waiver wire in all leagues. Miller’s involvement in Kellen Moore’s offense has steadily increased since Week 1, which has propelled him into standalone value.
#Saints Week 5 RB Usage
- Alvin Kamara: 53% snaps, 8 carries, 18 routes, 6 targets (55 yds)
- Kendre Miller: 42% snaps, 10 carries, 9 routes, 1 target (48 yds)— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 5, 2025
Miller’s snap shares have risen for five consecutive weeks, including the season-high 42% that he attained in Week 5 (14.7%/15.5%/27.4%/31.3%/42%). Miller has also secured 10+ rushing attempts during each of his last two contests (10/11) after he averaged 5.7 per game from Weeks 1-3 (5/5/7).
Miller’s totals in carries (10) and rushing yards (41) also led the Saints’ backfield in Week 5, as Alvin Kamara assembled 27 yards with his eight attempts. Miller has also generated 106 rushing yards (53 per game) since Week 4, while Kamara has amassed 97 (48.5 per game) during that span.
Miller also remains primed to vault into a massive workload if Kamara is unable to elude health issues. Miller would also become a valuable asset on your roster if Kamara is traded from New Orleans to a new environment. Those factors have fueled Miller’s rise into the first tier of waiver wire options.
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals- 39% Rostered
The placement of James Conner and Trey Benson on injured reserve within eight days fueled a whirlwind of speculation surrounding the percentage of touches that would be distributed to Michael Carter, Emari Demercado, and Bam Knight in the Cardinals’ transformed backfield rotation.
Michael be runnin 🏃 pic.twitter.com/PCbPEd4KqL
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 5, 2025
However, Carter emerged as the only Arizona back that should be seized from this week’s waiver wire. Carter led the reshaped backfield in snaps (39) and established a new career high in attempts (18). He also generated 51 rushing yards, ran 18 routes, collected five targets, and amassed 22 receiving yards.
Demercado played on 19 snaps, carried three times, assembled 81 rushing yards, and ran 10 routes. However, he also fumbled while approaching the end zone, which transformed a potential 71-yard touchdown into a game-changing touchback. The magnitude of Demercado’s miscue may also suppress his involvement in Arizona’s offense moving forward.
Knight was limited to 11 snaps, carried four times, and produced 11 rushing yards. He also ran five routes and captured his only target. Carter remains available in over 60% of all leagues, and that percentage will diminish rapidly this week.
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears - 5% Rostered
Monangai was limited to a season low 13.4% snap share during Chicago’s season opener and failed to register a carry during the contest. However, his usage and output have been promising since his NFL debut, as he capitalizes on his opportunity to function as the Bears’ RB2 behind D'Andre Swift.
Monangai has operated with a 33% snap share since Week 2. He is also averaging 5.7 attempts/20.7 rushing yards per game, and 58.1% of his yards have been generated after contact, according to Fantasy Points Data. He has also been entrusted with one carry inside the red zone in all three contests during that span.
Monangai has also averaged 10.3 routes per game and has collected four targets since Week 2, which includes one target inside the 20. Monangai’s numbers also continue to expand as Roschon Johnson remains affixed to the sideline, as Johnson has yet to garner a snap.
Ben Johnson could be compelled to deploy Monangai with increased frequency as the season progresses. Monangai would also launch into a massive role if Swift is unavailable for any reason during Chicago’s upcoming matchups. These factors elevate Monangai among the backs to pursue from this week’s waiver wire.
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers - 36% Rostered
For the sake of clarity, it is unlikely that the numbers Kenneth Gainwell generated in Week 4 will be replicated when Jaylen Warren resurfaces in Pittsburgh’s backfield rotation.
However, Gainwell’s performance while Warren was sidelined should entrench Gainwell even further into his role as the Steelers’ RB2 when Warren is unencumbered by injury.
KG14 💪@KENNETHGAINWEL | @Gatorade pic.twitter.com/l3jsA0M3Hm
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 30, 2025
Gainwell confiscated a career-best 77.4% snap share in Week 4, which easily surpassed his previous career high (62.1%). Gainwell also secured career-best numbers in carries (19), rushing yards (99), and touchdowns (two), while soaring to third overall in points per game (31.4).
Gainwell also finished sixth in rush yards over expected (32) and 12th in efficiency (3.58), according to Next Gen Stats. He also ran 18 routes and collected six receptions, which tied yet another career high.
Early touchdown for Kenneth Gainwell and the Steelers
PITvsNE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/VhvmYqYez1
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025
Gainwell has also captured a 40.4% snap share from Weeks 1-3 while sharing touches with Warren, and averaged 28.3 total yards per game during that sequence.
Kaleb Johnson should be entrusted with a larger percentage of carries as his rookie season progresses, but Gainwell’s role is currently secure. Gainwell will also operate as Pittsburgh’s primary back during any absence by Warren.
Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs - 15% Rostered
Brashard Smith's usage and output have been negatively impacted by his constrained role within a congested Kansas City backfield. However, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have failed to perform efficiently during the Chiefs’ first four contests, while Smith is capable of infusing speed and explosiveness into the Kansas City offense. Smith is also a converted wide receiver who accumulated 130 targets/898 receiving yards during the final three seasons of his collegiate career.
Smith has operated with a 15% snap share, while accumulating 10 touches and 51 total yards since Week 1. He has also run 25 routes, while securing three of his six targets.
Pacheco is pacing the backfield in snap share (46.2%) and rushing yards (127/31.8 per game), while averaging 4.0 yards per attempt. He also leads the backfield in routes run (74) and target share (6.6%).
Hunt has secured a 44.1% snap share and has accrued a team-high 36 attempts (9.0 per game). Hunt is also averaging just 3.2 yards per attempt, but does lead the backfield in receiving yards (36).
Andy Reid could expand Smith’s workload during the Chiefs' upcoming matchups, which would expedite Smith’s emergence as an RB3/flex option.
Secondary Options - Week 6 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These Running Backs Could Become Assets For Your Rosters
| Secondary Options | Team | Rostered |
| Hassan Haskins | Los Angeles Chargers | 1% |
| Kimani Vidal | Los Angeles Chargers | 0% |
| Bhayshul Tuten | Jacksonville Jaguars | 53% |
| Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans | 31% |
| Jaydon Blue | Dallas Cowboys | 11% |
Hassan Haskins / Kimani Vidal / Los Angeles Chargers – (Haskins 1% Rostered), (Vidal 0% Rostered).
This recommendation is fueled by the uncertain status of Omarion Hampton, after he sustained an ankle injury during the Chargers’ Week 5 matchup with Washington.
Hampton was wearing a walking boot following the contest, which provides the potential for Los Angeles to operate with a restructured backfield rotation in Week 6.
Los Angeles could make an addition to their running back room this week. However, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are currently positioned to secure expanded roles if Hampton is sidelined when the team travels to Miami.
Haskins played on 14 snaps, carried five times, and accumulated 13 rushing yards in Week 5. He also ran seven routes and secured his only target.
Vidal had been limited to two offensive snaps from Weeks 1-4 before he became involved in the backfield rotation in Week 5. However, he accumulated 14 snaps, four attempts, and 18 rushing yards in Week 5. Vidal also ran six routes and collected his only target.
If Haskins and Vidal ultimately comprise the Chargers’ backfield rotation in Week 6, then the tandem will share touches. Both backs can be added as potential flex options if you are attempting to navigate a roster crisis this week.
Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars - 53% Rostered
Tuten’s availability has somehow increased by 7% during the past week, even though his potential to emerge as a resource for fantasy managers remains unchanged.
Travis Etienne has performed proficiently while operating as Jacksonville’s lead back. However, Etienne’s collection of impressive numbers should not cause you to underestimate Tuten’s enticing blend of toughness, athleticism, and elite speed, which fuel his big-play capabilities.
Tuten registered a 6.1% snap share in Week 1, but has secured a 22% snap share since Week 2 (25.4%/17.1%/23.5%). He has also carried 18 times (6.0 per game) during that span, while collecting five touches inside the red zone.
Bhayshul Tuten scores his first NFL TD!
JAXvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/B4EmYon3L8
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
Tuten has also generated 88 rushing yards (22 per game) since Week 1, while 64.8% of his yards have been generated after contact, according to Fantasy Points Data. Tuten has also run 19 routes, while averaging 2.11 yards per route run, and assembling 40 yards as a receiving weapon.
Liam Coen is adept at devising plays that will maximize the strengths of his personnel. That converges with Tuten’s home run potential to supply your rationale for stashing Tuten, as he should ascend into a favorable role as the season advances.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 31% Rostered
Tennessee activated running back Spears from injured reserve to the team's 53-man roster before the Titans’ Week 5 matchup in Arizona. That created his pathway toward securing his first snaps of the regular season, as he operated in a rotation with Tony Pollard.
Spears played on 17 snaps, carried four times, and generated 14 rushing yards during his season debut. He also ran 10 routes, but was not targeted by Cam Ward.
Pollard led the Titans’ reconstructed backfield in snaps (49), attempts (14), rushing yards (67), and generated a rushing touchdown. Pollard also ran 29 routes and secured all three of his targets
Pollard was third among all backs with 217 snaps entering Week 5. He was also seventh in attempts 68/17 per game), 14th in rushing yards (261/65.3 per game), and fifth in routes run (106).
Spears and Pollard will be impacted by the multiple deficiencies within a Tennessee offense that ranks 31st in yards per game (233.8) and is dead last in scoring (14.6 points per game).
However, Spears’ workload should increase as he is incorporated into the Titans’ attack. He can operate as an RB3 in your lineups once that transpires.
Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys - 11% Rostered
It is understandable if Blue’s status as a healthy inactive from Weeks 1-4, and modest involvement in Week 5, has discouraged you from including him in your rosters.
However, there are still tangible reasons for stashing Blue, who possesses unquestioned upside due to his blend of elite speed, agility, and explosiveness.
This fuels his potential to erupt for big plays. His versatility can ultimately lead to touches as both a rusher and receiving weapon whenever Brian Schottenheimer is willing to entrust Blue with those opportunities.
That transpired in Week 5 when Miles Sanders’ ankle injury forced him to the sideline. Blue ascended into his first snaps of the regular season (11), while he also carried four times and generated seven rushing yards. Blue also ran three routes, but was not targeted.
Javonte Williams has eviscerated offseason expectations, but that does not inhibit Blue from capturing a larger workload in the Dallas backfield as the season advances.
Sanders also does not present significant competition for a continual role as the Cowboys’ RB2 if Blue can sustain the confidence of the Dallas coaching staff. That provides your incentive for stashing Blue this week, if you are constructing rosters in deeper leagues.
High Upside Handcuffs - Week 6 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% |
| Isaiah Davis | New York Jets | 5% |
| Blake Corum | Los Angeles Rams | 20% |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | San Francisco 49ers | 43% |
| Ollie Gordon II | Miami Dolphins | 26% |
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 33% Rostered
Allgeier remains embedded among the elite tier of handcuff options. He also presents fantasy managers with a performance history that underscores his proven ability to thrive with an extensive workload.
Allgeier eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie in 2022 (1,035/64.7 per game), while soaring into the league lead with 431 yards (107.8 per game) from Weeks 15-18.
Allgeier’s weekly workloads are inconsistent as he functions as the direct backup to Bijan Robinson in Atlanta’s offense. Allgeier has eclipsed a 32.3% snap share in two different outings while also being limited to a 9.1% share in Week 3.
.@tylerallgeier25 will NOT be denied 😤
CBS | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/SPFgq9H1Ni
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 28, 2025
However, he can also perform proficiently when he secures a favorable workload in his current role. Allgeier carried 16 times in Weeks 2 and 4, and was tied for 12th overall with 10 attempts inside the red zone entering Week 5. According to Fantasy Points Data, he has also secured 42.9% of the Falcons’ attempts inside the 5-yard line.
Allgeier can also deliver RB1 production if Robinson is sidelined for any reason. He remains available in 65% of all leagues and will regain his place among the elite handcuff options when the Falcons host Buffalo in Week 6.
Isaiah Davis, New York Jets ⁃ 5% Rostered
Davis has emerged as an enticing roster stash due to his expanded role as the Jets’ RB2. The second-year back is functioning as the backup to Breece Hall, in the aftermath of an MCL sprain that was sustained by Braelon Allen in Week 4.
Davis had been limited to an average of 9.0 snaps per game from Weeks 1-3 before he garnered 21 snaps in Week 4. Davis also accumulated five touches/27 total yards in that contest, after initially ascending into backup duties behind Hall.
However, Davis’s snap count rose to a season-high 33 when New York hosted Dallas in Week 5. Davis also registered four touches, generated 33 total yards, and ran 24 routes.
Hall led the backfield in snaps (50), attempts (14), rushing yards (113), and receiving yards (42) in Week 5 but also fumbled during the contest.
Allen is destined for a prolonged absence, which solidifies Davis’s role in an ongoing rotation with Hall. Davis would also operate as the Jets’ primary back if Hall is forced to the sideline. That should encourage you to secure Davis if you are operating with a deeper bench.
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams - 20% Rostered
Corum’s stock had been rising before the Rams’ Week 5 matchup with NFC West rival San Francisco. However, the surge in Corum’s usage abruptly ended when Los Angeles hosted NFC West rival San Francisco in Week 5,
Corum had attained a 27.7% share from Weeks 2-4 (29.5%/ 24.2%/29.3), while his expanding workload propelled him to averages of 7.3 attempts/39.3 rushing yards per game. Corum had also secured four carries inside the red zone, along with two attempts inside the 10-yard line during that sequence.
However, Corum was limited to a season-low 8.8% snap share in Week 5. He was also relegated to one carry, which occurred before he failed to handle a pitch from Matthew Stafford. Corum also registered a season low in routes run (four) and did not collect a reception. McVay utilized Kyren Williams extensively after Corum’s miscue, which propelled Williams to a season-high 91.2% snap share.
Corum's prospects of securing standalone value diminished significantly in Week 5, but he remains unchallenged in his role as the direct backup to Williams. That positions Corum to seize an expanded workload if Williams is sidelined for any reason.
Brian Robinson Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 43% Rostered
Robinson’s current numbers are uninspiring as his usage remains constricted by the extensive workload that Kyle Shanahan is allocating to Christian McCaffrey.
Robinson has been operating with a 17% snap share, which includes two games in which he has eclipsed 22.0%. Robinson has also accumulated 27 attempts (5.4 per game) and 108 rushing yards (21.6 per game), run 22 routes, and has collected two of his three targets.
That includes Robinson’s numbers in Week 5, when he attained a 14% snap share, carried five times, and assembled 12 rushing yards. Robinson also ran five routes, but was not targeted by Mac Jones.
However, McCaffrey’s extensive workload also presents the rationale for pursuing Robinson, whose role places him at the threshold of a mammoth workload if McCaffrey becomes unavailable. McCaffrey leads all backs in targets per game (10.4) while his average of 18.2 attempts per game is also his highest since 2020.
Isaac Guerendo could emerge to pilfer touches during any absence by McCaffrey, but Robinson would confiscate the largest workload. He would also become a critical roster asset if that occurs.
Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins - 26% Rostered
Gordon continues to accumulate touches in Miami’s backfield rotation, while operating as the Dolphins’ RB2. Gordon is not a candidate to siphon a significant percentage of opportunities from De'Von Achane, who is fifth among all backs with an 81.1% snap share
Achane is also averaging 12.0 attempts/52.4 rushing yards per game, and is stationed within the top five at his position in targets (32/6.4 per game), receptions (25/5.0 per game), and receiving yards (173/34.6 per game).
Gordon secured 14 snaps but was limited to three carries and -2 rushing yards in Week 5. However, Gordon’s role as a short-yardage and goal-line back has been sustained throughout the season, and he has now accumulated seven carries inside the red zone.
Gordon also remains positioned as the direct backup to Achane, as Jaylen Wright has also failed to register an offensive snap this season.
Gordon’s touches would also increase if Achane is unable to sustain his current workload for any reason. That makes Gordon an enticing a viable handcuff option who remains available in nearly 75% of all leagues.
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:
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders - 77% Rostered
- Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 76% Rostered
- Nick Chubb, Houston Texans - 67% Rostered
Good luck in Week 6!
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2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Kimani Vidal, Kenneth Gainwell, Kendre Miller, Tyjae Spears, Michael Carter, Jaydon Blue, Brashard Smith. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
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