RADIO
Winning a fantasy championship has been your goal since you began preparing for your draft. It has also remained the driving force behind every roster decision that you have made throughout the regular season. Congratulations to all of you who were able to fulfill those championship aspirations in Week 17 while navigating through injuries, unexpected decreases in usage, substandard performances, and other unwanted developments that emerged during the season.
If you have embraced the unique challenges of participating in a league that incorporates Week 18 matchups into the equation, you are just one win away from capturing your league’s title. This article is designed to help you make the critical decisions that await you, by examining the running backs that are currently located on your waiver wires.
These recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing runners that are available, then progressing to backs that can be considered if your normal starting options are unavailable for any reason. You will also find a group of backs that can be dropped in order for you to secure your replacements. Good luck to everyone in your matchups this week.
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Frontrunners - Week 18 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 - 64% Rostered
This column would be remiss without one final recommendation to commandeer Allgeier if he remains available on your waiver wire. He instantly bolsters your chances of winning a league championship if he is attainable.
This rookie can RUN
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/TOxhoQOcJg
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2023
Allgeier has thrived while confiscating lead back duties for the Falcons and can become a difference maker for anyone who infuses him into their Week 18 lineups - which propels him atop this week’s list of backs to prioritize.
Allgeier has eclipsed 10+ attempts in 12 of his 15 matchups this season while averaging 12.4 points per game. He has also averaged 18.3 attempts per game since Week 15 after he established a career-high with 20 carries when Atlanta hosted Arizona in Week 17.
Allgeier also generated 83 yards against the Cardinals and has now accumulated 576 yards on the ground since Week 9 (72 per game).
He should operate with another favorable workload when the Falcons host NFC South rival Tampa Bay in Week 18, and will provide you with a valuable resource if you secure him this week.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills - 54% Rostered
Cook remains available in nearly 50% of all leagues and can still be utilized as a flex in your efforts to prevail in your championship matchup.
Let Jimbo Cook!
📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/P7Ge5CgByB
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 24, 2022
Cook’s versatility provides the potential for him to deliver yardage and critical fantasy points as both a rusher and a pass-catcher, while he is also capable of generating sizable gains when he is presented with opportunities.
Cook has now secured a 40% snap share since Week 13. He has also carried 34 times (8.5 per game) and accumulated 203 rushing yards (50.8 per game) during his last four matchups, while also averaging 6.0 yards per attempt.
Cook has also run 56 routes while being targeted on 21.4% of those routes since Week 13. He has also collected 10 of his 12 targets, assembled 64 yards, and generated a touchdown as a receiving weapon during that span.
Even though Cook will operate in a rotation with Devin Singletary again this week, he is positioned among the top backs to prioritize from the waiver wire.
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts - 46% Rostered
Moss has now been entrusted with lead back responsibilities for Indianapolis during three consecutive matchups since Jeff Saturday elevated him into that role.
That transpired after Jonathan Taylor sustained his ankle injury in Week 15, and Moss has now accumulated 220 rushing yards (73.3 per game) on 51 rushing attempts (17 per game) while operating with a 65% snap share.
Zack Moss 12-yd rush#Colts 10 #Giants 38 4ᴛʜ pic.twitter.com/D8fn1mESA2
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 1, 2023
This includes his numbers when Indianapolis visited New York in Week 17, as Moss carried 15 times and generated 74 yards against the Giants. Moss easily led the Colts’ backfield in both categories, as Jordan Wilkins carried six times while manufacturing 23 yards on the ground. Deon Jackson also managed 10 rushing yards with his three attempts.
There is no rationale for Saturday to alter the distribution of touches within the backfield during the Colts' season finale with Houston. That will provide Moss with another opportunity to function with a sizable workload. It also elevates him among this week’s viable options from the waiver wire.
In The Running - Week 18 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Chase Edmonds, Denver Broncos - 21% Rostered
Edmonds was traded to Denver on November 1, but only registered 15 snaps and three touches during his debut with the Broncos in Week 10. He sustained an ankle injury after just three snaps in Week 11 and was placed on injured reserve.
However, Edmonds has also operated as the Broncos’ RB2 since he re-emerged for Denver’s Week 16 matchup with the Rams, and his escalating workload has elevated him into consideration as a roster addition.
Edmonds promptly secured a 42% snap share in Week 16, and also accumulated eight touches and generated 53 total yards- including 31 on the ground.
Edmonds also played on 41 snaps when the Broncos traveled to Kansas City in Week 17, which nearly matched the 42 snaps that were accumulated by Latavius Murray. He also attained a double-digit touch total, including seven rushing attempts, while assembling 734 total yards against the Chiefs. Edmonds also captured all three of his targets while amassing 39 yards.
His expanding role is providing enough opportunities for Edmonds to function as a flex option during your Week 18 matchups.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 39% Rostered
The Panthers accumulated 43+ rushing attempts during three of their four matchups from Weeks 12-16, and Carolina’s recent propensity to run the ball had also restricted Sam Darnold to an average of 22 attempts per game.
Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman also combined for 123 carries during that sequence, as Hubbard carried 47 times (11.8 per game) and generated 274 yards (68.5 per game), while his 43.9% snap share nearly matched Foreman’s 44.7%.
Carolina’s strategic approach was altered in Week 17, as they only ran the ball 22 times. This also limited Foreman and Hubbard to a combined 16 carries.
However, Darnold launched a season-high 37 passing attempts, and Hubbard remained productive through his involvement as the pass-catching presence from the backfield. Hubbard captured all three of his targets and eclipsed 50+ receiving yards for the second time in his last three games.
Hubbard's versatility supplies the potential for him to accumulate touches when the Panthers remain run-heavy or if they increase their reliance on the pass. That vaults him into consideration if you are attempting to locate a flex option in your PPR leagues.
Damien Harris, New England Patriots - 48% Rostered
Harris was included among last week's recommendations on the premise that he could re-emerge from the protracted thigh injury that had sidelined him since Week 12.
It appeared reasonable to believe that Harris could garner touches in a rotation with Rhamondre Stevenson since Harris had averaged 9.3 attempts per game before his absence.
Harris did resurface for New England’s Week 17 matchup in Miami and accumulated 12 touches during his return. This included nine rushing attempts, while he also captured all three of his targets and assembled 50 total yards. Stevenson accrued 10 touches while producing 51 total yards as the presence of Harris impacted Stevenson’s workload.
Harris should secure similar usage this week when the Patriots travel to Buffalo. His availability has increased during the past week as he is now attainable in over 50% of all leagues.
Dark Horses - Week 18 Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of running backs that can be added if you consider your situation to be desperate due to injuries and other developments.
Malik Davis, Dallas Cowboys - 2% Rostered
Davis had been restricted to 47 snaps, 23 carries, and 103 rushing yards from Weeks 1-16 as Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott combined for 390 attempts, 1.817 rushing yards, 56 receptions, and 463 receiving yards during that span.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/chQWKQAYGp
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) December 30, 2022
However, the undrafted free agent Davis ascended into an expanded role while operating in a rotation with Elliott in Week 17 as Pollard was sidelined with a thigh issue. Davis attained a 32% snap share during the matchup while accumulating 39 rushing yards on 10 attempts. Davis also ran 13 routes, collected both of his targets, and generated 23 yards as a pass-catcher.
It is currently unclear how Dallas will approach the upcoming Week 18 matchup in Washington. However, Mike McCarthy could be compelled to protect the health of Pollard and Elliott by utilizing Davis extensively.
That would vault Davis into a sizable workload during the Cowboys’ season finale. It also provides the opportunity to add him if you are searching for prospective flex options during your Week 18 roster construction.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers - 27% Rostered
There is anticipation that Mitchell will be designated to return from injured reserve this week. That also presents the possibility that he could be activated prior to San Francisco’s matchup with Arizona. If that transpires, Kyle Shanahan has already displayed his willingness to deploy Mitchell immediately following a return from injury.
Mitchell paced the 49ers’ backfield in rushing attempts (18) and rushing yards (89) in Week 10, which was Mitchell’s first game after he returned from his previous knee injury. Shanahan also entrusted Mitchell with that sizable workload even though Christian McCaffrey had already been infused into San Francisco’s backfield.
Shanahan could be incentivized to manage McCaffrey’s touches when the 49ers host the Cardinals, which would launch Mitchell into another extensive workload.
Mitchell’s status should be monitored during the week, as should any updates regarding San Francisco’s plans for the utilization of their starters. However, the combination of Mitchell’s potential return and the prospects that McCaffrey’s touches might be managed has elevated Mitchell among this week’s waiver wire options.
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears - 41% Rostered
Herbert carried six times when Chicago hosted Buffalo in Week 16, as he re-emerged from a four-game absence (hip). David Montgomery easily led the Bears' backfield with 16 rushing attempts during that same matchup.
However, the touches were distributed more evenly when Chicago visited Detroit in Week 17, as Herbert accumulated five attempts while Montgomery carried six times against the Lions. Herbert’s touches could also increase significantly this week, as the Bears will conclude their regular season with an inconsequential finale against the Vikings.
This could remove all incentive to deploy Montgomery with an extensive touch total while Herbert’s workload could increase significantly this week when Minnesota travels to Chicago.
Herbert has proven to be capable of performing effectively with a sizable workload. He was 10th among all backs in rushing yardage from Weeks 3-10 (560/70 per game) before his hip injury abruptly halted his promising production.
He is worthy of consideration as a roster addition, as he could ultimately become an enticing starting option when the Bears conclude their season.
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 this week.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns – 72% Rostered
Hunt is still rostered in 72% of all leagues entering Week 18, even though he has been a logical drop candidate for multiple weeks due to the consistent restrictions in his usage.
Hunt has now failed to exceed six rushing attempts during eight of his last 11 matchups, including an average of 5.3 per game since Week 10. If you extract his 11-carry outing in Week 8 from the equation, Hunt is also averaging 5.1 attempts per game since Week 6.
The repeated limitations of his weekly workloads have squelched his production, as he has failed to surpass 32 rushing yards in nine of his last 11 games. His per-game averages in targets (2.5), receptions (2.0), and receiving yards (12.2) are easily the lowest of his career.
Anyone who is constructing their lineups in preparation for a matchup that will decide their league’s championship in Week 18 should jettison Hunt in order to locate a player who can operate as a resource in your quest for a championship.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders - 78% Rostered
You might initially be hesitant to consider the removal of Gibson from your roster this week. However, if you are retaining optimism that he can bolster your Week 18 scoring, it will be critical to monitor updates as the week progresses.
Not only is it uncertain whether he can resurface from the knee and ankle issues that sidelined him when Washington hosted Cleveland in Week 17 but it is also fair to question whether the Commanders would be inclined to risk further injury to Gibson during a meaningless matchup.
Washington’s loss to the Browns eliminated the Commanders from playoff contention and it would be logical to safeguard Gibson when the team hosts Dallas. Gibson had also been limited to five carries during each of his last two matchups (Weeks 15-16) while manufacturing just 31 rushing yards in both games combined. Gibson also caught just four passes and produced 27 yards as a pass-catcher during those contests.
When you blend his diminished production with uncertainty surrounding his health and an insignificant season finale, it is justified to find an alternative option.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens - 29% Rostered
Drake led Baltimore’s backfield in rushing attempts (50) and rushing yardage (232) from Weeks 8-13, while he also secured a 49% snap share during those contests. However, his involvement in the Ravens’ backfield rotation has evaporated since J.K. Dobbins re-emerged from his protracted knee issue in Week 14, as Baltimore has deployed a rotation of Dobbins and Gus Edwards.
Drake has only played on 11 snaps since Week 14 while being restricted to one rushing attempt, two targets, three touches, and two total yards. He has also been relegated to healthy inactive status during the Ravens’ last three matchups.
Even if John Harbaugh opts to alter the workloads within Baltimore’s backfield this week, there is little rationale for believing that Drake will be included in the allocation of touches. Justice Hill would be the more likely candidate for any boost in usage, as the Ravens have not displayed any interest in keeping Drake involved in any capacity.
That should encourage you to locate a more effective roster option this week.
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