RADIO
We have now progressed into planning for the second week of fantasy postseason matchups. Congratulations to all of you who successfully navigated the numerous obstacles of this unique season. You have maintained your highest level of flexibility while persevering through injuries to critical players, disappointing performances, and unexpected absences. Now this diligence has placed you on a pathway toward your league's championship.
This critical week provides the opportunity for you to focus on constructing lineups that will advance through the remainder of the playoffs. It is highly recommended that you examine all remaining matchups in both Weeks 16 and 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 with the difficult decisions that await you by locating the best running backs to target on your waiver wire. These 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 to all of you in your Week 16 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 15 Rushing Leaders
| Week 15 | Yards | Attempts | YPA |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 172 | 19 | 9.1 |
| Tyler Allgeier | 139 | 17 | 8.2 |
| Raheem Mostert | 136 | 17 | 8 |
| Latavius Murray | 130 | 24 | 5.4 |
| J.K. Dobbins | 125 | 13 | 9.6 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 108 | 26 | 4.2 |
| Derrick Henry | 104 | 21 | 5 |
| Travis Etienne | 103 | 19 | 5.4 |
| Nick Chubb | 99 | 21 | 4.7 |
| Dalvin Cook | 95 | 17 | 5.6 |
| Josh Jacobs | 93 | 22 | 4.2 |
| Alvin Kamara | 91 | 21 | 4.3 |
| Brian Robinson | 89 | 12 | 7.4 |
| Saquon Barkley | 87 | 18 | 4.8 |
| Isiah Pacheco | 86 | 15 | 5.7 |
Frontrunners - Week 16 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.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - 37% Rostered
Even though Allgeier has shared touches in a rotation with Cordarrelle Patterson throughout much of the regular season, his weekly workloads have provided fantasy managers with an opportunity to utilize him as a flex. Allgeier has also benefitted from operating in an offense that retains a steadfast commitment to the run while currently ranking second in run play percentage, (56.0%).
This man can't be stopped 💨
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/jG7lDNrftF
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 18, 2022
However, Allgeier attained a season-best 17 carries in Week 15 and his workload presented a pathway for the rookie to establish a career-high in rushing yardage (139). It was the first time that Allgeier eclipsed 100 yards this season and he has now generated 419 (69.8 per game) during his last six contests.
Allgeier has also accumulated 10+ rushing attempts in 10 of his 14 matchups this season. He has also secured a 48% snap share which includes a 51% share since Week 5.
Allgeier remains available in over 60% of all leagues and should continue to operate with one of the most consistent roles of any backs that are attainable on this week’s waiver wire. That supplies your incentive to secure him this week.
Zack Moss / Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts - (Moss 2% Rostered), (Jackson 7% Rostered)
Moss entered Week 15 having accumulated 84 offensive snaps, 24 rushing attempts 122 rushing yards, and eight targets. Jackson had been limited to 69 snaps, 17 rushing attempts, 35 rushing yards, and eight targets from Weeks 7-14. However, both backs quickly launched into expanded roles after Jonathan Taylor sustained an ankle injury in Week 15.
Taylor suffered the injury on his first touch when Indianapolis traveled to Minneapolis while propelling Moss and Jackson into a combined 37 rushing attempts and 136 rushing yards following Taylor’s departure.
Zack Moss is better than Bills fans told me he would me. #Colts#ForTheShoe#Vikings#Skol#INDvsMIN pic.twitter.com/WGKonIyteI
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) December 17, 2022
Moss secured a career-high 67% snap share while leading the Colts in both categories (24 carries/81 yards). Jackson attained a 32% snap share, carried 13 times, assembled 55 yards, and generated a touchdown on his only reception.
The Jackson Six. 🪩
📺: NFLN pic.twitter.com/KfAzJ7YVsq
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 17, 2022
Taylor’s health should be monitored closely during the week, but Moss has soared into relevance as a potential RB2/RB3 during an enticing matchup with the Chargers in Week 16 if Taylor is absent. Jackson can also be stashed as an additional flex option if the Colts opt to keep Taylor sidelined for any reason.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers - 13% Rostered
The addition of Mason will not immediately provide you with an additional starting option as his expanding role has yet to reach standalone value.
However, the undrafted free agent has performed effectively with the opportunities that he has been given while securing RB2 responsibilities on San Francisco’s depth chart.
This positions Mason to quickly seize an extensive workload if Kyle Shanahan opts to reduce Christian McCaffrey’s touches during the 49ers' upcoming matchups. Mason's role would also expand if McCaffrey is forced to the sideline for any other reason.
Jordan Mason ices the game. @jpmason27#SFvsSEA pic.twitter.com/AwmyePelwS
— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2022
Mason has now carried 28 times (7.0 per game) while generating 196 yards (49 per game) since Week 12. That coincides with Elijah Mitchell’s knee injury which fueled the latest transformation of the 49ers' backfield rotation. Mason has also joined McCaffrey as the only member of San Francisco’s backfield to accumulate rushing attempts since Mitchell’s latest health issue.
Anyone with McCaffrey contained on their rosters can secure Mason this week as a safeguard toward eluding any potential roster dilemma if McCaffrey’s situation changes.
In The Running - Week 16 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills - 54% Rostered
Cook’s workload has decreased since he established career-highs in snap share (43%), rushing attempts (14), targets (6), and receptions (6) in Week 13, as he has attained a 38.5% snap share during Buffalo’s last two matchups while accumulating 9 carries/40 rushing yards/4 targets/3 receptions during that sequence. Cook also generated his first receiving touchdown of the season.
So James Cook, the rookie RB who the #Bills had do some work with the wide receivers in camp, shows why. Puts on the brakes and flows back to Allen on the TD. Good feel for the game. https://t.co/BFByWgOjT8 pic.twitter.com/IZUmgfTd1l
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 18, 2022
However, it remains premature to dismiss Cook’s chances of securing more opportunities during the Bills’ next two contests, as he has already been entrusted with 11+ rushing attempts in three previous matchups this season Cook has also demonstrated his versatility and burst that supply the potential for sizable yardage totals.
Cook also performed more efficiently than Devin Singletary when Buffalo hosted Miami in Week 15, as Cook averaged 6.8 yards per attempt, while Singletary averaged just 3.2 per attempt with his 13 carries.
Cook’s big-play capabilities exceed Singletary’s at a time in which a scoring boost from your flex option can propel you into the next round of your playoffs. He is available in nearly 50% percent of all leagues and can still be added before Buffalo visits Chicago in Week 16.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 39% Rostered
Hubbard was limited to a 14.4% snap share, 20 rushing attempts (4.0 per game), and 111 rushing yards (22.2 per game) from Weeks 1-10. However, Hubbard’s involvement in Carolina’s offense has expanded since Week 12, as he has accumulated 35 rushing attempts, 149 rushing yards, and generated 82 yards as a receiver.
Hubbard’s numbers as a rusher were constructed primarily in Weeks 12 and 14 when he carried 31 times and assembled 139 yards. Carolina had averaged 68.5 offensive plays during those two contests, while the Panthers ran the ball 92 times. They were limited to 43 offensive plays and 16 rushing attempts during their Week 15 visit to Pittsburgh, but Hubbard was deployed as the team’s pass-catching back (3 targets/3 receptions/57 yards).
He will continue to accumulate carries in a rotation with D’Onta Foreman during games in which the Panthers can utilize their rushing attack with greater frequency. He is also the preferred pass-catching presence from the backfield when that scenario does not occur. This elevates him among this week’s flex candidates if you are operating with deeper rosters in PPR leagues.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - 13% Rostered
.@Nunless2 taking it in for 6️⃣
📲 Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/E0NYNUzFXC pic.twitter.com/L60wuoW2mu
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 18, 2022
Warren has remained positioned among a select tier of enticing handcuff options throughout most of the regular season after he seized the role of Pittsburgh’s RB2 during training camp.
Warren has been an intriguing roster addition due to the potential that he would commandeer a significant workload if Harris would be sidelined for any reason during the year. A hamstring issue prevented Warren from ascending into a sizable workload back when that situation developed in Week 12, as Harris contended with an abdomen issue.
However, Warren has regained his health while reclaiming the Steelers’ backup role over Benny Snell, who he had previously leapfrogged on Pittsburgh’s depth chart in August.
Warren was entrusted with 11 carries when the Steelers hosted Carolina in Week 15, while he also generated 38 yards and a touchdown. Harris unsurprisingly commandeered the majority of rushing attempts (24), while no other backs were involved with the distribution of touches.
Warren is still available in over 85% of all leagues and would approach RB1 status for fantasy managers if Harris is absent during any of your postseason matchups.
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.
Pierre Strong Jr., New England Patriots - 17% Rostered
Strong was selected by New England in Round 4 of last April’s NFL Draft (127th overall) and had been limited to just 10 snaps (1.7% share), one rushing attempt, and five rushing yards from Weeks 1-13.
However, Rhamondre Stevenson sustained an ankle injury during the Patriots' Week 14 matchup in Arizona which has elevated Strong and Kevin Harris into the team’s reshaped backfield rotation.
Strong has now accumulated nine rushing attempts, and 95 rushing yards, while collecting all five of his targets and assembling 32 receiving yards during that span.
20 unanswered points for New England! Pierre Strong Jr. is the latest @Patriots rookie RB to score his 1st career TD.
📺: #NEvsAZ on ESPN
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/UKeBTYKCRY pic.twitter.com/OxCB5T4tuj— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2022
Stevenson recaptured lead back responsibilities when New England visited Las Vegas in Week 15 while producing 168 total yards and a touchdown with his 21 touches. Strong and Harris split nine rushing attempts (Strong 4/ Harris 5). However, Strong has emerged as the preferred waiver wire target due to his capacity to deliver big plays.
Even though Stevenson is functioning as the Patriots’ RB1 once again the addition of Strong could reduce the impact of any further absences by Stevenson during your remaining playoff matchups.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens, 52% Rostered
Edwards sustained his role within Baltimore’s backfield in Week 15, as the Ravens continued their reliance on the two-man rotation of Edwards and J. K. Dobbins during their matchup at Cleveland.
The tandem combined for 20 rushing attempts when Baltimore faced the Browns, including the seven that were distributed to Edwards. The fourth-year back has now accrued 20 carries since Week 14 while producing 121 yards (60.5 per game), and averaging 6.5 yards per attempt during those contests.
Kenyan Drake has become an afterthought in the Ravens’ touch allocation as he was limited to an 18% snap share in Week 14, then was relegated to healthy inactive status in Week 15. This also restricted his production to just one rushing attempt, two targets, and three total yards since Week 14.
Even though Dobbins and Tyler Huntley will amass carries and yardage, the backfield has become less congested through the implementation of the two-back rotation. That elevates Edwards among this week’s viable flex options when Baltimore hosts Atlanta.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings - 33% Rostered
Mattison will be included among the recommendations again this week as his availability remains surprisingly high. He is only rostered in 33% of all leagues, even though his role as the direct backup to Dalvin Cook automatically positions him to launch into an extensive workload if Cook is sidelined during Minnesota’s remaining matchups.
Cook’s season has not been curtailed by any significant injuries while he has continued to operate in his workhorse role for the Vikings. He has now exceeded 1,000 rushing yards for a fourth consecutive year (1,045) while also eclipsing 230 rushing attempts during each of those seasons.
That includes his numbers when the Vikings hosted Indianapolis in Week 15 as Cook generated 95 yards on 17 carries. Mattison’s usage has remained minimal this season (52 carries/174 yards). However, he would garner a similar workload to Cook (16.4 carries per game) if Cook would become unavailable. Mattison would also soar into RB1 territory for fantasy managers if that occurs, which supplies your incentive for targeting him this week.
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.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns- 78% Rostered
Hunt was drafted as a high-end RB3 during draft season (ADP 87/RB31), and his numbers earlier this season surpassed those expectations. Hunt had ascended to RB17 in scoring entering Week 6, after he had accumulated 57 rushing attempts (11.4 per game) and generated 247 yards on the ground (49.4 per game) from Weeks 1-5.
However, Hunt's snap share has also diminished to 38.9% since Week 6. He has also been limited to 53 carries (5.9 per game), which has fueled a plunge in his yardage total during those matchups (200/22.2 per game).
Hunt has also averaged 5.4 attempts per game since Week 11, while his average of 2.6 targets per game also remains below his results during his previous three seasons with the Browns (5.5/3.4/3.1). These unwanted numbers provide sufficient rationale to replace him with a more favorable option.
Hunt can function as a handcuff if Nick Chubb is cemented in your starting lineups, but he is not operating with enough touches for you to start him. That should compel you to locate a back who is positioned to accumulate fantasy points.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens - 33% Rostered
After a season that consisted of continual modifications in usage for all members of Baltimore’s backfield, the Ravens’ steady deployment of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards since Week 14 has eliminated Drake’s involvement in the team’s backfield rotation.
Drake only played on 11 snaps when Baltimore traveled to Pittsburgh in Week 14, while being limited to one rushing attempt, one rushing yard, and two targets. He was also a healthy scratch when Baltimore visited Cleveland in Week 15, as Dobbins secured a 38% snap share, accumulated 13 rushing attempts, and generated 125 yards on the ground.
Edwards carried seven times and produced 55 rushing yards during the matchup with the Browns, and Justice Hill manufactured 18 total yards with his two touches.
Drake’s fluctuating involvement during the 12 games in which he has been active this season now includes five contests in which his snap share surpassed 50%, along with four games in which he has failed to surpass 27%. However, his infinitesimal usage since Dobbins resurfaced in Week 13 has removed all rationale for retaining him on your rosters.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars - 30% Rostered
With each passing week, we have been presented with additional evidence that Robinson will not garner a respectable workload during the Jets’ remaining matchups this season.
Any optimism surrounding Robinson’s arrival in New York has steadily decreased since he was traded to the Jets in late October. He has been limited to 57 snaps from Weeks 8-15 while being relegated to 29 carries and 85 rushing yards in New York’s seven games during that span.
If there was any lingering doubt surrounding his lack of involvement in New York’s backfield rotation entering Week 15, it should now be eviscerated after he was relegated to healthy scratch status for the third time in four games.
There is absolutely no indication that Robinson will have an opportunity to resurrect what has become an increasingly disappointing season. This eliminates any chance that he can be a resource during the fantasy postseason, and he can easily be replaced by a more favorable option on this week’s waiver wire.
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