RADIO
After 10 weeks of the regular season, some of you have been able to embrace the numbers that have been assembled by the running backs that are contained on your rosters. Unfortunately, an increasing number of fantasy managers have encountered injuries, while others have contended with disappointing output due to a collection of unexpected developments.
The re-emergence of bye weeks has now provided another challenge that will fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That includes the four teams that will be affected this week – Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa Bay, and Seattle. This ensures that anyone with Travis Etienne, Kenneth Walker. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., Rachaad White, or Leonard Fournette will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
This week's recommendations will appear in three tiers, beginning with the most enticing and progressing to options for managers that are 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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Upcoming Bye Weeks
Week 11: Jaguars, Dolphins, Seahawks, Buccaneers
Week 13: Cardinals, Panthers
Week 14: Falcons, Bears, Packers, Colts, Saints, Commanders
Frontrunners - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR leagues.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 44% Rostered
The potential for White to overtake Leonard Fournette as Tampa Bay’s RB1 had been escalating in recent weeks as White’s workload had steadily increased. The promising rookie had not reached stand-alone value entering Week 10 but the touch distribution within the Buccaneers’ backfield was transformed during their matchup in Munich.
Rachaad White takeover 👀
🔥22 carries
🔥105 YDS
🔥Bucs first 100YD rusher since week 1 pic.twitter.com/n3jx6QzCrg— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 13, 2022
White had not surpassed eight carries or 27 rushing yards from Weeks 1-9. However, he secured his first career start, led the backfield with a season-high 64% snap share, and easily exceeded his previous highs in rushing attempts (22) and yardage (105), (4.8 yards per attempt).
Rachaad White seals it.@TomBrady is fired up.
📺: #SEAvsTB on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/M32DOvVAld pic.twitter.com/7B72ubN85M— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022
Fournette registered a season-low 29% snap share as he carried 14 times, produced 57 yards and generated a touchdown before being sidelined with a hip issue. He also averaged 4.1 yards per attempt, However, he had only averaged 3.3 per attempt from Weeks 1-9 and still did not operate with the burst as White during Tampa Bay’s Week 10 matchup.
The Buccaneers will travel to Cleveland following their Week 11 bye, but that should not deter you from pursuing White as your top priority from this week’s waiver wire. He should be entrusted with a sizable workload during Tampa Bay’s upcoming matchups.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs - 24% Rostered
Isiah Pacheco HYPE TRAIN 🚂 pic.twitter.com/m5j34bW8N5
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 11, 2022
Anyone who already had Pacheco contained on their rosters prior to Week 10 had retained him with the hope that Andy Reid would eventually be compelled to expand his workload.
That opportunity developed in Week 10 as Pacheco commandeered lead back responsibilities during the Chiefs’ matchup with Jacksonville. Pacheco led the backfield with a season-high 56% snap share while establishing new career highs in rushing attempts (16) and rushing yardage (82). Jerick McKinnon was relegated to just one carry, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire did not register a touch.
Pacheco entered Week 9 with 44 carries (5.5 per game) and 197 rushing yards (24.6 per game), while Edwards-Helaire had been leading the Chiefs in both categories (69 attempts/8.7 per game), (293 rushing yards/36.6 per game).
McKinnon operated with a 38% snap share while functioning as the backfield’s primary pass-catcher versus the Jaguars, and now leads the backfield with 33 targets (3.7 per game), 25 receptions (2.8 per game), and 212 receiving yards (23.2 per game).
Edwards-Helaire has now emerged as a drop candidate after being limited to a 6% snap share, while McKinnon can be deployed as a flex option. However, seizing Pacheco from this week’s waiver wire should be the focus for fantasy managers. His ability to capitalize on his expanded opportunity in Week 10 has now launched him into RB2/RB3 territory.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens - 47% Rostered
GUS BUS KEEPS ROLLING 🚌🚌
Tune in on CBS! @GodsGiftGus13 pic.twitter.com/7WyrMVBom0
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 23, 2022
Edwards re-emerged in Baltimore’s backfield rotation for the Ravens’ Week 7 matchup with Cleveland - which was his first appearance on the field since he sustained a torn ACL in September of 2021. He led the team in rushing attempts (16) and rushing yards (66), then led Baltimore in both categories when the Ravens traveled to Tampa Bay in Week 8 (11 carries/65 yards).
Edwards also suffered a hamstring issue during that contest and was sidelined in Week 9. Now, Edwards appears primed to return for Baltimore’s matchup with Carolina on Sunday and should commandeer the largest workload within the Ravens’ backfield once again.
He will share touches with Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill, as the Ravens retain their customary deployment of multiple backs. However, Edwards also finished at RB22 while operating in a similar capacity in Weeks 7-8, and should deliver RB2/high-end RB3 production once again.
He should also retain a sizable role whenever J.K. Dobbins resurfaces from injured reserve, as Dobbins should be operating with a managed workload. That elevates Edwards among this week’s top priorities from the waiver wire.
In The Running - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - 27% Rostered
Jaylen Warren playing bigger than his size pic.twitter.com/ID1ReQbAmo
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) November 13, 2022
Warren’s proficiency has been consistent throughout his rookie season, as had the ongoing inefficiency of Najee Harris before Week 10. However, amid increasing conjecture surrounding Warren’s prospects of being entrusted with a larger role Harris constructed his most productive outing of the season when the Steelers hosted New Orleans.
Harris had only averaged 3.3 yards per attempt from Weeks 1-9 but delivered a season-best 5.0 per attempt average versus the Saints. He also established new season highs in rushing attempts (20) and rushing yardage (99), which should defuse speculation that Warren could leapfrog him on Pittsburgh’s depth chart.
This does not diminish the rationale for securing Warren on your rosters. He still attained a 43% snap share in Week 10, while accruing 77 total yards on 12 touches. He has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to perform proficiently with his opportunities this season.
Warren would also operate with an expanded workload if Harris would become unavailable for any reason during the Steelers' upcoming matchups, and is capable of delivering RB2 output if that scenario transpires.
Warren remains attainable in 27% of all leagues and securing him could still pay dividends before the conclusion of the season.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers - 58% Rostered
Elijah Mitchell is ACTIVE 🙌 #SNF pic.twitter.com/ErpeWZOsFg
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 14, 2022
Mitchell was activated from injured reserve before San Francisco’s Week 10 matchup with the Chargers. This provided a path for the second-year back to make his first appearance since the 49ers’ season opener.
Mitchell resurfaced in a backfield that has been transformed during his absence as he is no longer San Francisco’s unquestioned lead back. This was ensured when the 49ers secured Christian McCaffrey in their blockbuster trade with Carolina. The former Panther has now accumulated 41 carries, 170 rushing yards, 17 targets, and 118 receiving yards during his three matchups with the 49ers.
Christian McCaffrey played 64% of the snaps with 14 carries and 6 targets. Finished with 77 yards and a TD
Elijah Mitchell saw 36% snaps, 18 carries for 85 yards - CMC never really had to share a backfield like this
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 14, 2022
However, Kyle Shanahan was also incentivized to involve Mitchell in San Francisco's distribution of touches upon his return, as Mitchell surprisingly led the team in carries (18), and rushing yardage (89) in Week 10. Mitchell may not operate with a similar workload during upcoming matchups as it is unlikely that the 49ers would send four draft picks to Carolina in order to deploy him in a timeshare.
Mitchell will still garner enough touches to operate as a resource on your rosters. He could also deliver RB1 output if McCaffrey would become sidelined for any reason.
Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos - 27% Rostered
There are multiple backs included in this week’s recommendations whose availability will trigger greater enthusiasm among fantasy managers who are searching for flex options.
The initial reaction toward the possibility of securing Murray will prompt a very different emotion. However, he is sustaining a role in Denver’s reshaped backfield rotation and it is providing him with a respectable workload.
The Broncos extracted Murray from the New Orleans practice squad on October 3, and he has now accumulated 46 rushing attempts (11.5 per game) and 160 rushing yards (40 per game) since being infused into the backfield.
Murray has also accrued more rushing attempts and generated more rushing yards than Gordon, who has carried 30 times and manufactured 94 yards since Murray’s arrival. That includes their numbers when Denver visited Tennessee in Week 10, as Murray secured more carries than Gordon once again (9/7).
Murray has also produced two touchdowns with the Broncos and his prospects of adding to that total also elevate him into consideration for anyone who is attempting to locate a flex option this week.
Dark Horses - Week 11 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.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 59% Rostered
Arthur Smith’s steadfast commitment to the ground game has elevated Atlanta to second overall in run play percentage (56.1%), and fourth in rushing attempts per game (33).
Smith’s penchant for running the ball also presents the opportunity to invest in Allgeier with the knowledge that he should receive enough carries to be deployed as a flex. Allgeier has averaged 11.3 attempts per game and eclipsed 10+ carries in seven of his nine games.
That includes four games while Cordarrelle Patterson was sidelined with his knee issue (Weeks 5-8) when Allgeier averaged 14.5 attempts and 46.3 yards per game. Patterson re-emerged for Atlanta’s Week 9 matchup with the Chargers and has generated 62 yards on 18 attempts since his return.
Allgeier’s workload will not match the 14.5 per game average that he attained during Patterson’s absence. However, he did accumulate a season-high 99 rushing yards in Week 9 while operating in a rotation with Patterson.
Caleb Huntley and Avery Williams could also siphon carries, but Smith’s reliance on the run should provide enough opportunities for Allgeier to function as a resource as bye weeks, injuries, and other challenges deplete your roster options.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams - 42% Rostered
Williams was activated from injured reserve just one day before the Rams’ Week 10 matchup with NFC West rival Arizona, and he made his debut against the Cardinals.
Williams played on 35 snaps and led the backfield in targets (three), receptions (three), and receiving yards (30). He was also limited to nine rushing yards with his only carry.
The Los Angeles backfield has been impacted by unresolved issues and underwhelming performances and there is nothing within the current state of this unit that should prevent Williams from securing an increasing role during the upcoming weeks
Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson both carried six times but combined for only 43 rushing yards in Week 10. Akers’ numbers remain uninspiring from Weeks 1-10 (62 rushing attempts/176 rushing yards/2.8 yards per attempt/1.5 yards after contact per rush), while Sean McVay has demonstrated his reluctance to deploy Darrell Henderson as the team’s unquestioned feature back (7.6 attempts/2.4 targets per game).
Williams can generate yardage as both a rusher and receiver and his three-down capabilities could propel him into a significant role. That provides the rationale for stashing him this week.
Isaiah Spiller, Los Angeles Chargers - 4% Rostered
Austin Ekeler has averaged 11.6 attempts per game, leads all running backs in targets (81/9.0 per game), and commandeers the majority of opportunities that are distributed within the Chargers’ backfield.
Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel have functioned as L.A’s RB2 during the season but it appears that Spiller has emerged as the most likely candidate for an expanded role if Ekeler would become unavailable for any reason.
Spiller contended with an ankle issue at the onset of the regular season and did not make his season debut until Week 7. However, he has now accumulated 11 rushing attempts and 32 rushing yards during the Chargers' last two matchups.
Michel only registered one touch in Week 10 and has failed to exceed 3.3 yards per attempt in six of his nine matchups. Kelley remains on injured reserve and will eventually challenge for touches, but that should not preclude you from adding Spiller. He provides a safeguard toward preventing a roster dilemma if Ekeler is sidelined for any reason.
Also-Rans - It Is Time To Say Goodbye
These running backs can be dropped in order to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs - 91% Rostered
Edwards-Helaire has been steadily advancing toward drop status for multiple weeks. He had attained a 45% snap share from Weeks 1-6, but that percentage has dropped sizably during his last three games (27%/17%/6%). Now, the touch distribution within Kansas City’s backfield in Week 10 should provide enormous motivation to remove him from your rosters.
Edwards-Helaire was not entrusted with any rushing attempts and also failed to catch either of his targets when the Chiefs hosted the Jaguars. Pacheco’s role as lead rusher was discussed earlier in this article as was McKinnon’s usage as Kansas City’s pass-catching back.
Edwards-Helaire's career-low output becomes just the latest installment in what has been a disastrous season for a back who was selected in Round 7 during the majority of drafts.
If Edwards-Helaire is contained on your roster, and you are you have the benefit of a deep bench then there is justification for holding him. However, he has now manufactured just 85 rushing yards during his last five games combined (17 per game), while managing just four receptions during that span.
There is no recent indication that Andy Reid will be inclined to dramatically increase Edwards-Helaire’s workload nor has he provided evidence that would perform proficiently if that were to occur. That should eliminate any hesitation to remove him from your rosters.
Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts - 29% Rostered
A combination of unfavorable factors has dramatically altered Jackson’s stock during the past week while also diminishing the incentive to retain him on rosters.
This includes the knee injury that he sustained during the Colts’ Week 9 matchup with New England which sidelined Jackson in Week 10. He would also have been returning to backup duty if he had been available as Jonathan Taylor resurfaced in the lineup when Indianapolis traveled to Las Vegas.
The Colts also rank 28th overall in rushing, while averaging 98.7 yards per game. Their offensive line also remains surprisingly ineffective which has also tempered expectations for all members of the team’s attack.
Jackson had previously been positioned to flourish as an unquestioned lead back if Taylor was unavailable for any reason. However, the recent additions of Zack Moss and Jordan Wilkins have decreased the likelihood that Jackson would garner 100% of the workload if Taylor would become unavailable once again.
If Jackson is currently on your roster, it will be advantageous for you to locate a back who is contending with fewer hurdles in his path toward providing you with fantasy points.
Chase Edmonds, Denver Broncos - 46% Rostered
Edmonds averaged 5.3 attempts, 15.0 rushing yards, and 2.1 targets per game during his eight-game tenure with Miami, and those averages diminished even further from Weeks 2-8 – (4.3 attempts/13.6 yards/1.85 targets).
He was also jettisoned to Denver on November 1 as part of the trade that sent Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins. That destined Edmonds to join a congested backfield that already included Melvin Gordon and Latavius Murray. However, it also supplied the potential for Edmonds to garner a larger role in his new environment.
Now, any remaining thread of optimism that might have existed regarding Edmonds’ ability to regain relevance this season has been eviscerated following his limited role in Week 10.
The Broncos returned from their Week 9 bye and distributed a combined 23 touches to Gordon and Murray. However, Edmonds was relegated to two carries, nine rushing yards, and two targets, while he failed to register a receiving yard.
It is difficult to envision Edmonds ascending beyond a minuscule role in an overcrowded backfield, and he can be extracted from all rosters this week.
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