RADIO
We have now progressed into reconstructing rosters and planning lineups for Week 10. The numbers that have been assembled by running backs during the first nine weeks of the season have fueled a variety of emotions for all fantasy managers. Unfortunately, some of you have been contending with underwhelming results due to injuries, inefficient performances, and production-inhibiting committees.
The unwelcome process of managing bye weeks also continues, which will fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That will impact players from four different teams this week -- Philadelphia, Miami, Kansas City, and the Los Angeles Rams. Anyone with D'Andre Swift, Raheem Mostert, Isiah Pacheco, or Darrell Henderson contained on their rosters will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
The recommendations in this week's article will appear in three tiers, beginning with the most enticing and progressing to options for managers who 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 have finished this breakdown, you can explore all of this week's fantasy football waiver wire pickups that are designed to help you maximize the scoring potential of your rosters.
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Upcoming Bye Weeks
- Week 10: Philadelphia, Miami, Kansas City, Los Angeles Rams
- Week 11: Atlanta, Indianapolis, New England, New Orleans
- Week 13: New York Giants, Buffalo, Baltimore, Chicago, Minnesota, Las Vegas
- Week 14: Arizona, Washington
Frontrunners - Week 10 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens - 4% Rostered
Keaton Mitchell is currently available in 96% of all leagues, but that percentage is about to decrease significantly this week. Mitchell entered Baltimore’s Week 9 matchup with Seattle having accumulated just two offensive snaps throughout the regular season. However, the performance that he delivered against the Seahawks should launch him into a consistent role within the Ravens’ backfield rotation.
Mitchell erupted for a a league-high 138 yards and a touchdown with his nine rushing attempts while averaging 15.3 yards per attempt. His production should ignite substantial interest in seizing him from this week's waiver wire.
Mitchell stockpiled 3,027 rushing yards (91.7 per game) during three collegiate seasons with East Carolina. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by Baltimore following the 2023 NFL Draft but later sustained a shoulder injury during the preseason.
Mitchell was placed on injured reserve, made his debut in Week 7, and was inactive in Week 8. However, he has now vaulted securely within the fantasy radar with his explosive production in Week 9.
Mitchell should reside atop your list of waiver wire priorities at the running back position and he delivers the potential to become a valuable resource during your remaining matchups.
D'Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears - 57% Rostered
D’Onta Foreman’s availability increased to 43% of all leagues after it appeared that the return of Roschon Johnson to the Bears’ backfield rotation had placed a hurdle in Foreman’s uncongested path toward sizable workloads. However, Foreman easily commandeered the majority of touches that were distributed to Chicago’s running backs in Week 9.
Foreman accumulated 39 snaps when the Bears traveled to New Orleans. Foreman also secured a season-high 20 rushing attempts, while Johnson and Darrynton Evans combined for three. It was the third time that Foreman has accrued 15+ during three of his last four matchups, and the six-year veteran capitalized by generating 83 yards in Week 9.
Khalil Herbert’s status should be monitored as the week advances, as he has been designated to return from injured reserve. Herbert could be infused into the backfield rotation when the Bears host Carolina. However, Foreman is fourth among all backs with 271 rushing yards since Week 6, and his ability to stockpile yardage should keep him involved in the allocation of touches. That sustains his status as a back who should be rostered moving forward.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks - 45% Rostered
Zach Charbonnet remains a viable handcuff who would become a significant resource for fantasy managers if Kenneth Walker were forced to the sideline for any reason as the season progresses.
His encouraging usage and production during Seattle’s last two matchups have also launched him among this week’s most intriguing options from the waiver wire. Charbonnet was sidelined by a hamstring issue in Week 7. However, he re-emerged to secure a season-high 59% snap share when Seattle hosted Cleveland in Week 8.
He also generated a season-best 53 rushing yards with his five attempts, while averaging 10.6 yards per attempt. He also led the Seahawks’ backfield in routes run (22) and collected both of his targets. The promising rookie accumulated more snaps than Walker (27/24) when Seattle traveled to Baltimore in Week 9, while also running more routes than Walker during the matchup (18/14).
Charbonnet’s capabilities as a three-down back can propel him to significant yardage totals whenever he is on the field. He would also function as a high-end RB2 with RB1 potential if Walker is unavailable during any of Seattle's remaining matchups.
In The Running - Week 10 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs remain available on the waiver wire and could become resources for your rosters.
Devin Singletary, Houston Texans - 50% Rostered
Devin Singletary initially became a popular waiver wire option after he paced the Texans’ backfield in snaps (31) and rushing yards (58) in Week 6. He also averaged 4.8 yards per attempt, while also leading the backfield in routes (13) and targets (two) during that matchup.
Singletary and Dameon Pierce operated with similar snap totals in Week 8 (Singletary (24), (Pierce 23), and evenly split rushing attempts (Pierce/12), (Singletary/10). Singletary and Mike Boone also led the backfield in routes run (eight).
However, Pierce was contending with an ankle issue that sidelined him in Week 9. That launched Singletary into lead-back duties during Houston’s matchup with Tampa Bay. Singletary unsurprisingly led the Texans’ backfield in snaps (54) and rushing attempts (13), while also pacing Houston’s backs in routes run (27).
Pierce’s health should be monitored as the week advances and could return for the Texans' Week 10 visit to Cincinnati. However, Pierce is averaging just 3.0 yards per attempt, and his ongoing inefficiency should open a runway for Singletary to continue operating with favorable touch totals. Singletary is still available in 50% of all leagues and is among this week’s top priorities from the waiver wire.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 44% Rostered
Tyjae Spears has been a mainstay in this column for multiple weeks. However, he is somehow still available in 56% of all leagues, which will fuel another reminder that he could become an integral resource for managers if he would ascend into an expanded workload during the upcoming weeks.
The explosive rookie has now accumulated 238 snaps since Week 1. That includes the 41 that he accumulated in Week 9, which led Tennessee’s backfield. Spears has also generated 216 rushing yards with his 39 attempts while averaging 5.5 yards per attempt.
Spears is also leading the Titans’ backfield in routes run (114), targets (30/3.4 per game), and receptions (22/2.8 per game). His playmaking ability provides the potential for sizable numbers in any matchup, despite his ongoing role in a rotation with Derrick Henry.
Even though the possibility of Henry being traded has evaporated, Spears’ home-run capabilities still leave him capable of erupting for RB1 production if Henry is sidelined for any reason. That provides the potential for Spears to operate as a valuable asset in your efforts to progress through the fantasy postseason, while also supplying the incentive for securing him this week.
Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams - 63% Rostered
Darrell Henderson Jr. and Royce Freeman have both re-emerged into the fantasy landscape after Kyren Williams was forced to the sideline (ankle), as both backs continue to share opportunities within the Rams' reconstructed backfield.
Sean McVay has continued to entrust the tandem with 100% of the snaps that have been allocated to Los Angeles running backs from Weeks 7-9, as Henderson has accumulated 98 snaps, while Freeman has played on 77. Neither Myles Gaskin nor Zach Evans has registered a snap during that three-game sequence.
Henderson leads Los Angeles with 40 rushing attempts during that span while generating 111 rushing yards. He is also pacing the backfield with 43 routes run and is 12th among all running backs with 75 receiving yards since Week 7.
The Rams will return from their Week 10 bye to host Seattle in Week 11. However, Henderson is still worthy of consideration as a roster addition, as Williams will not be eligible to resurface before Week 12. Henderson can still operate as an RB2/RB3 while Williams remains unavailable, and could also retain a role after Williams returns.
Dark Horses - Week 10 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be considered if you are searching for players who could eventually emerge in your lineups.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons 57% Rostered
Tyler Allgeier’s availability has eclipsed 40%, which has launched his return to this column. He continues to operate as the RB2 behind Bijan Robinson in Atlanta‘s offense; however, Allgeier is securing weekly workloads that position him to function as a flex option.
Allgeier has now accumulated 220 snaps entering Week 10 while generating 371 rushing yards with his 116 attempts. His average of 12.9 attempts per game nearly replicates the 13.1 that he averaged during his 2022 rookie season.
Allgeier has also carried 12+ times in six different matchups, including four of his last five. He also accrued 12 attempts when Atlanta hosted Minnesota in Week 9 while capturing two of his three targets.
The addition of Allgeier bolsters your arsenal of options at a position that will provide challenges due to remaining byes and other issues that could emerge in the upcoming weeks. He would also ascend atop the Falcons’ depth chart if Robinson becomes unavailable at any point during the upcoming weeks.
Royce Freeman, Los Angeles, Rams - 26% Rostered
Royce Freeman’s ascension into an expanded role during the absence of Kyren Williams has also resuscitated his relevance, as he continues to share touches with Darrell Henderson Jr.. Freeman had not registered an offensive snap from Weeks 1-6 but has now accumulated 77 since Week 7.
Freeman has also carried 33 times, is pacing Los Angeles with 142 rushing yards, and is averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. Freeman’s opportunities have been limited as a pass-catching weapon, but his continued involvement in a rotation with Henderson provides an additional flex option to fantasy managers who are managing rosters in non-PPR leagues.
The earliest that Williams can return is Week 12, and it is unclear how quickly he might approach the 16.2 attempts per game average that he attained prior to his injury. This sustains Freeman's viability as a roster addition if you are dealing with issues that have depleted your options at running back.
Leonard Fournette, Buffalo Bills - 31% Rostered
Leonard Fournette’s protracted status as a free agent finally reached a conclusion when he signed with Buffalo. Fournette’s arrival will infuse a physical presence into the Bills’ backfield that should accelerate his ascension into a weekly allotment of touches.
Fournette’s arrival will negatively impact Latavius Murray more than James Cook. However, that tandem has combined for 29 attempts inside the red zone, and Fournette should siphon a respectable percentage of those opportunities.
Fournette also averaged 10.8 carries and 43 rushing yards per game during his three seasons with Tampa Bay. His prowess as a pass-catching weapon also propelled him to averages of 5.0 targets, 4.1 receptions, and 28.1 yards per game during 2022 while finishing third among all backs in targets (83/6.2 per game) and second in both receptions (73/4.6 per game) and receiving yards (523/32.7 per game).
Fournette remained on the practice squad during Buffalo's Week 9 matchup with Cincinnati. However, he should soon be elevated to the Bills’ active roster and will integrate into the team’s rotation. Fournette could eventually function as an RB3/flex for fantasy managers, which provides the incentive for stashing him this week.
Also - It Is Time To Say Goodbye
These running backs can be dropped to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers - 75% Rostered
If you drafted Miles Sanders near his Round 6 ADP, it appeared unlikely that he might emerge as a drop candidate when you made that selection.
However, Sanders has officially lost his role as the Panthers’ lead back and his diminished workload has also eliminated the option of starting him. Sanders secured a 56.5% snap share from Weeks 1-4 while averaging 39.5 rushing yards, 20.3 receiving yards, and 5.8 targets per game.
Sanders’ snap share dropped to 46% in Week 5, as he was limited to seven carries/32 rushing yards/one target during that matchup. He was inactive in Week 6 while contending with a shoulder injury, then established new season lows in snap share (18% share) and touches (two) in Week 8.
Sanders also trailed Hubbard in snaps (46/18), rushing attempts (16/six), rushing yards (58/39), routes run (30/11), and targets (six/five) when Carolina hosted Indianapolis in Week 9.
Fantasy managers can retain the option of exercising patience, in hopes that Sanders can still recapture a large percentage of his decreased workload. However, Hubbard’s sustained role as Carolina’s RB1 and Sanders’ uninspiring numbers provide the incentive to discard him.
Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos - 26% Rostered
If Samaje Perine is still on your roster, he has not been assembling numbers that would encourage you to retain him. He has averaged 5.7 points per game since Week 2 while failing to exceed 5.5 per game during five of his last seven matchups.
Perine also averaged 20.4 snaps per game from Weeks 2-8, along with just 3.1 attempts and 10.3 rushing yards per game. Perine has also averaged 3.1 targets, 2.6 receptions, and 27.7 receiving yards per game during that sequence.
The seventh-year back has also been relegated to 13.7 snaps per game since Week 6, while being limited to three rushing attempts, 15 rushing yards, and eight targets during that span.
Perine continues to operate in a three-man rotation with Javonte Williams, and Jaleel McLaughlin, who are both more capable of exploding for sizable yardage on any given play. The unfavorable combination of Perine’s restricted workload, and his uninspiring production eliminates his viability as a starter in your lineups. That should also remove any lingering hesitation in dropping him this week.
Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins - 30% Rostered
The other backs that are included in this section are considered unquestioned drop candidates. However, there is also justification for removing Jeff Wilson Jr. from your rosters unless you are managing a deep bench.
Wilson’s involvement in Miami’s backfield rotation has already been restricted since his season debut in Week 7. De'Von Achane could return following the Dolphins’ Week 10 bye, which will place additional constraints on Wilson’s workload.
Wilson has now accumulated 36 snaps during the three games since he re-emerged from injured reserve (ribs/finger), which trails both Raheem Mostert (95) and Salvon Ahmed (55). He has also been limited to seven attempts and 29 rushing yards, during that span.
Wilson has also run 17 routes, which is third behind Mostert (37) and Ahmed (28), while Wilson has also registered seven targets and 50 receiving yards.
Mostert will sustain a favorable workload after Achane has resurfaced from injured reserve (knee), and the explosive rookie will also commandeer a significant role. The combined presence of Achane and Mostert will relegate Wilson to touch totals that are too minuscule for him to become a resource on your rosters.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice
