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Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups for Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream and stash off waivers.
We have now progressed into planning roster construction for Week 3 as you examine this week’s recommendations from the waiver wire. The matchups of Week 2 delivered a collection of impressive performances, including six backs who eclipsed 100 rushing yards. Unfortunately, the numbers that were delivered by some runners only led to frustration.
Many of you are now contending with disappointing results due to injuries, production-inhibiting workloads, and unproductive outings. These factors have all contributed to unfulfilled expectations despite your initial optimism regarding the scoring potential of the backs that were contained on your rosters. However, this article will help you locate the most enticing options that are available at a position that remains both critical and volatile on a weekly basis.
The majority of these backs currently remain available in at least 40% of all leagues and will be listed in three tiers. You will also find several 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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Week 2 Rushing Leaders
| Week 2 Rushing Leaders | Yards | Attempts | YPA |
| D'Andre Swift | 175 | 28 | 6.3 |
| Bijan Robinson | 124 | 19 | 6.5 |
| James Cook | 123 | 17 | 7.2 |
| Raheem Mostert | 121 | 18 | 6.7 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 116 | 20 | 5.8 |
| James Conner | 106 | 23 | 4.6 |
| Zack Moss | 88 | 18 | 4.9 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | 87 | 18 | 4.8 |
| Derrick Henry | 80 | 25 | 3.2 |
| Rachaad White | 73 | 17 | 4.3 |
| Tony Pollard | 72 | 25 | 2.9 |
Frontrunners - Week 3 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams - 61% Rostered
Kyren Williams’ availability has edged just below the normal threshold for inclusion among the options in this column. However, this week’s list of waiver wire priorities would be remiss if Williams was not integrated into the Week 3 Frontrunner section.
Williams was only rostered in 5% of all leagues entering Week 1, but his availability diminished significantly after Sean McVay deployed him as L.A.’s lead back in Week 1. Williams finished sixth among all backs with 52 snaps while generating 52 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
McVay’s decision to make Cam Akers a healthy scratch in Week 2 fueled the latest plunge in his perpetually fluctuating value. It also provided Williams with a runway to operate with a league-high 75 snaps, which has launched him into the overall lead with 127 entering Week 3. He also assembled 52 yards and a touchdown with his 14 rushing attempts, while running 43 routes, collecting six of his 10 targets, and delivering another touchdown as a receiving weapon.
Williams’ favorable numbers during two consecutive outings are encouraging, and his versatility should also keep him highly involved during the upcoming weeks. He has also vaulted him among this week’s top priorities in any leagues where he remains available.
Jerome Ford/Kareem Hunt - Cleveland Browns – (Ford 86% Rostered), (Hunt 62% Rostered)
Ford was originally included in this week's dark horse section but the unfortunate injury that has abruptly concluded Nick Chubb's season has vaulted Ford among this week's top priorities from the waiver wire.
Ford was selected by Cleveland in Round 5 of the 2022 NFL Draft, which originally placed him in a crowded depth chart. It appeared that Ford was positioned to function as the Browns’ lead back after Chubb sustained a significant knee injury. That scenario was altered when Cleveland signed Kareem Hunt to a one-year contract. Now, both backs appear destined to share touches in the Browns’ reshaped backfield.
That should still provide Ford and Hunt with opportunities to become roster resources for anyone who has secured them this week.
Ford played on 40 snaps during the Browns' Week 2 matchup with Pittsburgh, The second-year back also carried 16 times and generated 106 rushing yards. That includes the 69-yard scamper that nearly resulted in a touchdown.
JEROME FORD REVERSES FIELD FOR THE 69-YARD RUN 🔥
📺: #CLEvsPIT on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwLFw pic.twitter.com/vKk11EADHH— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
Ford also ran 17 routes, collected three of his four targets, and assembled 25 receiving yards. He had also played on just four fewer snaps than Chubb during Cleveland's season opener (34/30) while accumulating 15 carries, and 36 yards on the ground.
Hunt is available in nearly 40% of all leagues but that number is dwindling. His résumé contains a rushing title (2017-1,327 yards/82.9 per game). He also finished among the top eight in points per game during each of his first two seasons (19.5/20.9). However, he did not approach those results suring 2022.
Hunt’s average of 27.5 rushing yards per game represented a significant drop when contrasted with 2021 (48.3) and 2020 (52.6). His average of 7.2 attempts per game was his lowest since 2019, while he established new career-lows in 3.8 yards per attempt (3.8), rushing yards after contact per attempt (1.9), receptions per game (2.1), receiving yards per game (12.4), and yards per target (4.8).
Hunt will still accumulate enough touches to become a starter for fantasy managers but his presence will not prevent Ford from also remaining a viable starting option.
Ford had been available in over 90% of all leagues earlier this week but that percentage has decreased rapidly. He remains a viable back to target in any leagues where he remains available.
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts - 52% Rostered
You may not have been inclined to invest in any members of the Indianapolis backfield while Jonathan Taylor remains on injured reserve. However, there is a rising incentive for adding Zack Moss as a prospective flex option.
Moss would have been the Colts' lead back during the team season opener if he had not been recovering from arm surgery. However, he emerged as the Colts’ RB1 when the team traveled to Houston in Week 2. He also accumulated 56 snaps while securing team-highs in rushing attempts (18) and rushing yards (88) and generating a touchdown. He also ran 33 routes while collecting all four targets that were distributed within the Indianapolis backfield.
Deon Jackson had performed as the Colts’ primary back in Week 1. However, his opportunity was literally and figuratively mishandled. Jackson’s microscopic 1.1 yards per carry average and his two fumbles contributed to his inability to register a touch in Week 2. Jackson’s plummeting stock coincides with Moss’s ability to cement his status as the RB1 in Indianapolis. He remains available in 48% of all leagues, and can minimally provide you with a short-term resource for your roster.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears - 38% Rostered
Roschon Johnson failed to emerge as a lead back during his collegiate career. However, he has forged his place among the more compelling roster additions among members of his 2023 rookie class.
Johnson shared opportunities with Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman during Chicago’s season opener. However, Johnson led the Bears’ backfield with 26 snaps and garnered the highest yards per carry average (4.0). He also paced Chicago’s backs in routes run (17), targets (seven), and receptions (six).
Johnson’s role expanded during the Bears’ Week 2 matchup with Tampa Bay, as Foreman was relegated to healthy scratch status. This eliminated a level of congestion from the backfield rotation as Johnson accumulated 22 snaps.
Johnson also completed the matchup with 32 rushing yards on four attempts, during a game in which Chicago’s backs only ran the ball 11 times. Johnson also ran 14 routes while capturing both of his targets. Johnson’s ascent into a two-man rotation with Herbert is a promising development. His ability to blend vision with his physical presence should also sustain his increased role. He remains available in over 60% of all leagues. However, that percentage will evaporate quickly.
In The Running - Week 3 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs remain available on the waiver wire and could become resources for your rosters.
Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions - 0% Rostered
David Montgomery sustained a thigh injury in the third quarter of Detroit’s Week 2 matchup with Seattle. Montgomery had accumulated 30 snaps before the issue emerged. He had also generated a team-high 67 yards with his 16 carries while running 11 routes and collecting his only target.
There are currently conflicting reports surrounding Montgomery’s status for Sunday’s Week 3 matchup with Atlanta and beyond. Any absence by the five-year veteran would provide explosive rookie Jahmyr Gibbs with an opportunity to operate with an expanded workload.
David Montgomery (quad) left near end of third quarter yesterday. RB opportunities after that:
* Jahmyr Gibbs 8 (3 carries, 5 targets)
* Craig Reynolds 4 (3 carries, 1 target)— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 18, 2023
Gibbs would also be sharing touches with Craig Reynolds if that transpires. Reynolds’ versatility would propel him to a favorable workload. He would also garner enough touches to emerge as a potential starter for anyone who is attempting to reconstruct their roster in response to Montgomery’s health issue, or as the result of any other challenge that has emerged.
This has elevated Reynolds among the Week 3 waiver wire options. He is available in 100% of all leagues, and the potential for a multi-week absence by Montgomery enhances the incentive for securing Reynolds this week.
Gus Edwards/Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens - (Edwards 65% Rostered), (Hill 44% Rostered)
Justice Hill will be the focus of this recommendation since he is attainable in 56% of all leagues. However, Gus Edwards should not be omitted from any discussion of Baltimore’s reshaped backfield rotation, as he could still be located on your waiver wire. The Ravens deployed both backs during their first complete game following J.K. Dobbins’ season-ending injury (ACL). Hill led the backfield with 43 snaps, while Edwards was involved on 32.
Edwards carried 10 times while generating 62 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also ran 11 routes but failed to register a target. Hill operated with a team-high 11 attempts while assembling 41 yards. Hill also ran 23 routes while securing all three of his targets.
It appears unlikely that Melvin Gordon will be inserted into the equation as the Ravens advance through their schedule without Dobbins. It is conceivable that Baltimore will add another back into the equation eyeing the upcoming weeks. However, Hill and Edwards are currently positioned to sustain their current roles. That elevates them into consideration as RB3/flex options.
Matt Breida, New York Giants - 1% Rostered
For the sake of clarity, this recommendation is strictly a short-term solution for anyone who is contending with a significant roster dilemma. Particularly for managers whose teams would be impacted if Saquon Barkley is unavailable on Thursday Night. The prospect of seizing Breida for your roster does not generate the same degree of enthusiasm that will exist with other backs that are attainable this week.
However, he could temporarily launch into a significant role when the Giants travel to San Francisco for their next matchup. Barkley has sustained an ankle issue, and the fast turnaround could prevent him from operating in his usual capacity as New York's workhorse back. That would propel Breida into an expanded workload if Barkley is sidelined during the contest.
The stout 49ers defense does not present the Giants with a favorable matchup. However, Barkley's injury could create a challenge for anyone who normally relies on him as their RB1. All other managers might also be contending with other roster decisions that involve the need to locate another back. Breida has emerged as a temporary remedy and he is currently available in 99% of all leagues.
Dark Horses - Week 3 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be considered if you are searching for players who could eventually emerge in your lineups.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans - 15% Rostered
Tyjae Spears remains available in 85% of all leagues, although that percentage will diminish in the upcoming weeks. He is embedded directly below Derrick Henry on the Titans’ depth chart. He also possesses the talent to remain unchallenged in his role as the team’s RB2 throughout his rookie season.
Even though Henry remains Tennessee’s primary back, Spears’ speed and elusiveness infuse home run capabilities into the Titans’ attack. Spears’ explosiveness should also propel him toward standalone value during the upcoming weeks if he secures increased involvement in the Titans’ backfield rotation.
Spears led the backfield with 33 snaps in Week 1 while also pacing the tandem of backs in routes run (20) and targets (four) during the season opener. He also played on 22 snaps while assembling 49 rushing yards on eight attempts in Week 2. He also ran nine routes and captured both of his targets.
Spears could erupt for significant yardage in an expanded role if Henry is forced to the sideline. His home-run capabilities would also supply you with with RB2 output if that scenario transpires.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - 15% Rostered
Miles Sanders secured status as Carolina’s primary back when he signed a four-year contract with the Panthers. He is an unsurprising team leader in multiple rushing categories. However, Chuba Hubbard has delivered encouraging numbers while functioning as the Panthers' RB2.
Sanders leads Carolina’s backfield in snaps (76), rushing attempts (32), and rushing yardage (115) while averaging 3.6 yards per attempt. Hubbard has performed effectively with his 47 snaps while accumulating 76 yards with his 11 carries (6.9 yards per attempt). Hubbard has also surpassed Sanders in yards after contact per attempt (4.0/1.7).
Hubbard's performance also propelled him to an 82.1 rushing grade from PFF, which was the second-highest grade at his position in Week 1. He is firmly positioned as Carolina’s unchallenged backup to Sanders, which would launch Hubbard into a sizable workload if Sanders were unavailable at any point during the season.
This supplies the incentive to secure a Hubbard this week if you are currently relying on Sanders in your lineups. Hubbard is also a viable roster stash for all managers, as he could emerge as an RB3/flex option during any absence by Sanders.
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.
Rashaad Penny, Philadelphia Eagles - 51% Rostered
Rashaad Penny was included in last week’s drop section after he had been relegated to healthy scratch status in Week 1. The distribution of touches during the Eagles’ home opener against Minnesota should eliminate all hesitation in jettisoning Penny from your rosters.
There was potential for Penny to re-emerge with a favorable workload in Week 2, as the Eagles would be operating without Kenneth Gainwell (ribs). This provided an opportunity for Penny or D’Andre Swift to commandeer the extensive role that Gainwell had captured in Week 1.
However, Penny was relegated to just nine snaps. He was also entrusted with only three second-half carries and was limited to nine yards. Swift accumulated 58 snaps and capitalized on his workhorse role (28 carries) while stockpiling 175 rushing yards. Boston Scott (10) also exceeded Penny’s snap total, while generating 40 yards with his five attempts.
Penny’s inability to secure a respectable workload while Gainwell was restricted to spectator status is hardly a favorable development. It also bolsters the rationale for extracting him from your rosters.
D'Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears - 30% Rostered
D’Onta Foreman's opportunities in Chicago’s backfield rotation were already restricted due to the ongoing allocation of touches to three backs. Now, Foreman’s stock has diminished even further as we enter roster planning for Week 3.
Foreman’s Week 1 touch total failed to match the number of opportunities that were distributed to Khalil Herbert and newcomer Roschon Johnson when Chicago hosted Green Bay in Week 1. Foreman’s 30% snap share trailed Herbert and Johnson, while he was also limited to just 16 rushing yards on five carries. He also ran 15 routes and only manufactured eight yards as a receiver.
The sixth-year back was reduced to spectator status in Week 2 when he became a healthy scratch. This provided Herbert and Johnson with the opportunity to combine for 14 touches and 100 total yards when Chicago visited Tampa Bay.
The limitations in Foreman’s constricted workload already served as a deterrent toward giving any consideration to inserting him into lineups. His descent into inactivity during Week 2 has eliminated nearly all incentives for fantasy managers to retain him on their rosters.
Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts - 17% Rostered
This space could easily have been contained with a recommendation to extract Cam Akers from your rosters. However, the potential for Akers to eventually be traded into an environment in which he can operate with a consistent and sizable workload provides a reason to keep him -- for now.
That also shifts the spotlight toward Deon Jackson. Jonathan Taylor’s continued absence and Zack Moss’s arm issue combined to launch Jackson into lead-back duties during the Colts’ season opener. However, he could only manufacture 14 yards with his 13 attempts while losing two fumbles during the matchup.
It appears that Jackson’s horrific Week 1 performance did not endear him to the Colts’ coaching staff, as Jackson was not even entrusted with a touch when Indianapolis traveled to Houston in Week 2. Moss confiscated a 98% snap share and should continue operating as the team’s workhorse back while Taylor is unavailable.
It is unlikely that Jackson can resurrect his plunging stock and there are too many options available in this week’s waiver wire for him to be retained in any rosters.
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