RADIO
All fantasy managers are to be commended for rising to the unique challenges that have unfolded during this regular season. The weeks have advanced at a relentless pace and we have entered the postseason in the majority of leagues. Congratulations to those of you who have qualified for the fantasy playoffs, as you have successfully navigated the numerous obstacles that have emerged since you created your original rosters.
Your primary objective during this critical week is to focus on constructing lineups that will advance into the next round of your playoffs. However, it is also recommended that you examine all matchups in Weeks 16-17 for any backs that you are considering or are currently contained on your rosters. This maximizes your planning process by establishing which backs will encounter difficult matchups, and which runners have an opportunity to perform against vulnerable defensive units.
This article will help you locate the best running backs to target from this week’s waiver wire and the recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners that are available if you are contending with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be considered droppable in order for you to secure your replacements. Good luck with this week’s matchups!
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!
Week 14 Rushing Leaders
| Week 14 Rushing Leaders | Attempts | Yards | Yards/Att |
| Miles Sanders | 17 | 144 | 8.5 |
| Derrick Henry | 17 | 121 | 7.1 |
| J.K. Dobbins | 15 | 120 | 8 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 14 | 119 | 8.5 |
| Josh Jacobs | 27 | 99 | 3.7 |
| Joe Mixon | 14 | 96 | 6.9 |
| Dameon Pierce | 22 | 78 | 3.5 |
| D'Onta Foreman | 21 | 74 | 3.5 |
| Chuba Hubbard | 14 | 74 | 5.3 |
| Zonovan Knight | 17 | 71 | 4.2 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 13 | 70 | 5.4 |
| Gus Edwards | 13 | 66 | 5.1 |
| Ezekiel Elliott | 15 | 62 | 4.1 |
Frontrunners - Week 15 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.
Zonovan Knight, New York Jets - 55% Rostered
THAT'S TOUGH @knight_zonovan!#NYJvsBUF on CBS pic.twitter.com/YnCNPfHlXh
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 11, 2022
Knight has now led the Jets in rushing attempts and rushing yardage for three consecutive weeks while performing proficiently with a sizable workload. He has also carried 46 times since his season debut in Week 12 (15.3 per game).
Knight has also thrived after ascending into his integral role while assembling 230 rushing yards (76.7 per game). He has secured at least 69 yards during each of those contests, while no other member of the Jets’ backfield has exceeded 16 carries during that span. He has also eclipsed 77 total yards during each of those matchups while averaging 111 in Weeks 12-13.
That includes Knight’s numbers when New York visited Buffalo in Week 14. He carried 17 times while producing 71 yards and his first career touchdown versus the Bills.
Knight has also secured a 50% snap share since Week 12 and the rookie appears destined to remain entrenched as the Jets' lead rusher during their upcoming matchups. He can operate as an RB2 when New York hosts Detroit on Sunday, and is among this week’s top options to prioritize on the waiver wire.
Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs - 61% Rostered
Kansas City’s backfield rotation of McKinnon and Isiah Pacheco remained intact in Week 14. This sustained McKinnon’s favorable role as the preferred pass-catching option in Andy Reid’s high-octane attack and he responded by exploding for a career-high 115 yards and two touchdowns when the Chiefs traveled to Denver.
NO LOOK TOSS??? @PatrickMahomes who are you?!?#ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/J4jfxgn04K
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 11, 2022
That was also McKinnon’s highest yardage total as a pass-catcher since Week 15 of the 2017 regular season, while the seventh-year back also led the backfield in targets (eight) and receptions (six). He has now captured eight targets in three of his last six matchups and has also accumulated six catches in three games during that sequence.
THE JET HAS LIFTOFF 🛩@JetMckinnon1 | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/B4OiGnObXn
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 11, 2022
McKinnon also secured a season-high 57% snap share, while he has also attained a 47% share during his last nine games - all of which leads the Chiefs’ backfield. He is still attainable in nearly 40% of all leagues and his recent surge as a productive receiving weapon has presented fantasy managers with a reliable flex option at a very opportune time.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills - 58% Rostered
Cook entered Week 14 having carried at least 11 times while generating 64+ rushing yards in two of his previous three games.
That included his season-high 14 rushing attempts during Buffalo’s Week 13 matchup with AFC East rival New England. Cook also attained a season-best 43% snap share, while securing season-best totals in targets (six) and receptions (six), and assembling 41 receiving yards versus the Patriots.
Cook remained involved on 41% of the Bills’ offensive snaps when Buffalo hosted the Jets in Week 14. However, he was limited to four carries, six rushing attempts, and one target as Josh Allen led the Bills in carries (10) and rushing yardage (47), while Devin Singletary paced the backfield with eight carries and 39 rushing yards.
Cook remains capable of seizing a sizable workload throughout Buffalo’s remaining matchups, and his numbers during unfavorable weather conditions in Week 14 will not alter the fact that his snaps and touches have expanded in recent weeks.
His explosiveness and versatility also remain intact, and these capabilities still provide the potential for Cook to become a resource during the fantasy postseason. That presents your rationale for keeping him rostered during your playoff matchups.
In The Running - Week 15 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 33% Rostered
Carolina traveled to Seattle in Week 14 and proceeded to run the ball 46 times. This strategic approach limited Sam Darnold to 24 passing attempts, although it also provided an opportunity for Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman to accumulate carries and rushing yardage.
Foreman led Carolina with 21 attempts while Hubbard carried 14 times. However, both backs accumulated 74 yards on the ground, as Hubbard averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, while Foreman attained an average of 3.5. Hubbard’s yardage total established a season-high, while he also generating his second touchdown of the season.
The reaaaach! pic.twitter.com/gS27c3C0lw
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 11, 2022
Carolina has now rushed 92 times during their last two games, and Hubbard has averaged 15.5 attempts/69.5 yards per game during that sequence. He has demonstrated the ability to perform efficiently if he is operating in a rotation with Foreman, and the Panthers’ success with their ground-oriented approach could easily lead to a similar philosophy when they host Pittsburgh on Sunday.
That has elevated Hubbard among the viable flex candidates for Week 15, which supplies motivation for securing him from your waiver wire.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 39% Rostered
Arthur Smith’s propensity toward frequent deployment of Atlanta’s ground game has fueled the Falcons’ ranking of second overall in run play percentage (56.0%). It also has provided Tyler Allgeier with a weekly workload that is sufficient for you to include him among your potential roster additions.
Allgeier has now averaged 10.9 attempts per game since the season opener and 11.7 per game since Week 5. He has also secured a 51.8% snap share during that nine-game sequence, including a share that is comparable to Cordarrelle Patterson’s after Patterson resurfaced from his knee injury in Week 9 (Allgeier 45.9%, Patterson 45.6%).
Tyler Allgeier breaks off a 42-yard run! #BYUFootball
pic.twitter.com/tEczqpN4ry— Cougs in the Pros 🤙🏼 (@BYUpros) October 2, 2022
Allgeier has also been more efficient with his carries during that span while generating 280 yards (56 per game) on three fewer touches than Patterson and averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. Patterson has assembled 226 yards (45.2 per game) while averaging 4.5 per attempt.
Allgeier is still attainable in over 60% of all leagues and can operate as a consistent flex option during your remaining matchups.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens, 52% Rostered
The Ravens distributed 28 touches to Edwards and J.K. Dobbins during their Week 14 visit to Pittsburgh when Dobbins re-emerged in their lineup following a six-game absence.
Dobbins generated 120 rushing yards on 15 attempts, while Edwards accumulated 66 yards with his 13 attempts. Kenyan Drake collected both of his targets but was restricted to only one rushing attempt. This reduced the degree of congestion that can often exist within Baltimore’s backfield rotation.
Edwards’ usage had been inconsistent during his two previous matchups. He had secured a 50% snap share and paced Baltimore’s backfield in carries (16) and rushing yardage (52) in Week 12, but was surprisingly limited to a 24% snap share in Week 13 and registered season lows in attempts (six) and rushing yardage (12).
However, the distribution of carries in Week 14 is an encouraging development. Edwards can still be added as a prospective flex option if injuries and other unwanted developments have presented you with a roster dilemma.
Dark Horses - Week 15 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.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers - 13% Rostered
The knee injury that was sustained by Elijah Mitchell in Week 12 has been just the most recent development that had forced the 49ers to reconfigure the touch distribution within their backfield.
Despite conjecture that San Francisco’s third-round selection Tyrion Davis-Price could be elevated into a rotation with Christian McCaffrey due to Mitchell’s absence, it is undrafted free-agent Mason who has secured that responsibility.
Mason has now accumulated 24 rushing attempts and 132 rushing yards since Week 12. He has also established season-highs in each of his last two outings after accumulating eight rushing attempts and 51 rushing yards in Week 12, then exceeding those numbers when the 49ers hosted Tampa Bay in Week 14 (11 carries/56 rushing yards).
His usage and output versus the Buccaneers were enhanced by San Francisco’s blowout win. However, he was the only back besides McCaffrey to register a touch and has remained the preferred RB2 option of Kyle Shanahan since Mitchell’s most recent injury.
Mason would seize a substantial workload if McCaffrey’s workload would be managed or if McCaffrey would be sidelined during San Francisco’s upcoming matchups. That provides the rationale for securing him this week.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings - 35% Rostered
Mattison’s availability continues to rise even as his proximity to a massive workload remains firmly intact. Dalvin Cook is currently sixth among all backs in both rushing attempts (213/16.4 per game) and rushing yardage (950/73.1 per game) despite being limited to 23 yards on 15 carries when Minnesota visited NFC North rival Detroit in Week 14.
Cook has evaded health issues during the season while flourishing in his ongoing role as the Vikings’ workhorse back. Mattison’s usage and production entering Week 14 are uninspiring (50 carries/173 yards). However, he would immediately launch into lead back responsibilities if Cook would suddenly become unavailable for any reason during the Vikings' upcoming matchups.
Mattison’s importance to fantasy managers will skyrocket if that scenario transpires, as he would immediately vault into RB1 status. He remains available in 65% of all leagues despite his potential to become a difference-maker during the playoffs. However, anyone who seizes him this week could be rewarded for their decision.
Travis Homer, Seattle Seahawks - 38% Rostered
The nebulous situation that surrounded the health of Kenneth Walker (ankle) and DeeJay Dallas (ankle) became the source of continual scrutiny for anyone who had Walker contained on their rosters entering Week 14.
It also ignited interest in other members of the Seahawks’ backfield prior to the team’s Week 14 matchup with Carolina, as other fantasy managers considered the addition of Homer and Tony Jones as potential resources during the problematic six-team bye week that occurred in Week 14.
Walker and Dallas were ultimately inactive versus the Panthers, as Homer led Seattle with nine rushing attempts and 26 rushing yards, while Jones gained two yards with his only carry.
Homer also paced the backfield in targets (three) and receptions (two), although his numbers failed to supply the point production that appeared attainable in his role as a rusher and receiver.
The status of Walker and Dallas should be monitored during the week, and Homer is only a recommendation for managers that are facing desperation. He could be presented with another path toward touches during Thursday’s matchup with San Francisco, although he would only operate as a flex versus the formidable 49ers defense if that scenario transpires.
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.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams - 37% Rostered
Williams secured a 62.5% snap share in Weeks 11-12 and appeared positioned to secure a sizable role in a Rams offense that has been decimated by injuries. It also seemed that Williams possessed the versatility to operate as a three-down back if Sean McVay were to entrust him with an expanded workload, as he averaged 9.0 attempts per game in Weeks 11-12, and accumulated 25 receiving yards in two of three contests from Weeks 10-12.
However, Williams’ snap share has diminished to 29% since Week 13. He has also been limited to three carries and 14.0 rushing yards per game, while registering just one reception and 10 receiving yards during that two-game span.
Cam Akers has operated as the Rams’ lead back during both of those outings (14.5 attempts/51 yards per game). This represents another surprising development during his wildly unpredictable season while eliminating any reason to consider starting Williams moving forward.
If Williams is on your roster, the downturn in his usage and output should incentivize you to locate another back with greater potential to become a resource during the fantasy playoffs.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens - 39% Rostered
The Ravens’ fluctuating distribution of touches to members of their backfield has been a byproduct of health issues that have impacted the availability of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards during the season.
This has contributed to Drake’s inconsistent snap share as he has eclipsed 50% in five contests and failed to surpass 27% in four others. That includes his minuscule involvement when Baltimore visited AFC North rival Pittsburgh in Week 14.
Drake's role was also minimal in Week 14, as he was confined to just 11 snaps. His diminished workload also consisted of three touches while he only carried the ball once during the matchup versus the Steelers. Dobbins and Edwards combined for 28 carries and 186 rushing yards.
Competing with both Dobbins and Edwards for touches should be concerning if you have Drake on your roster, as this negatively impacts his opportunity to deliver fantasy points. This has reduced the justification for retaining him as there are other backs available on this week’s waiver wire who are not contending with the same level of congestion in their backfields.
James Robinson, New York Jets - 35% Rostered
The evaporation of Robinson’s relevance that has transpired during the season has been enormous. He surprisingly garnered more snaps (192/179), rushing attempts (81/54), and rushing yardage than Travis Etienne from Weeks 1-6 (340/301), while averaging 13.5/56.7 yards per game during that span.
However, Robinson’s involvement diminished considerably in Week 7 when he was limited to 12 snaps and failed to register a touch. He was jettisoned from Jacksonville to New York in late October and appeared primed to operate with respectable touch totals in a rotation with Michael Carter.
Instead, he has been relegated to healthy scratch status in two of the Jets’ last three matchups, while being confined to just 29 carries and 85 rushing yards since Week 8. Robinson has also been leapfrogged by Zonovan Knight, who continues to perform effectively, while Carter has also returned to the lineup and Ty Johnson remains a candidate to pilfer targets.
Robinson is now embedded below all three backs on the Jets’ depth chart, but he remains rostered in 35% of all leagues. If this includes your team, there is no justification for retaining him as you enter the fantasy postseason.
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