RADIO
After six weeks of the regular season, some of you have been able to embrace the numbers that have been assembled by the running backs that are contained on your rosters. Unfortunately, an increasing number of fantasy managers have encountered injuries, while others have contended with disappointing output due to a collection of unexpected developments.
The re-emergence of bye weeks has now provided another challenge that will fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That includes the four teams that will be affected this week – Buffalo, Philadelphia, Minnesota, and the Los Angeles Rams. This ensures that anyone with Dalvin Cook, Miles Sanders, Devin Singletary, or Darrell Henderson on their rosters must avoid starting those backs this week.
This week's recommendations will appear in three tiers, beginning with the most enticing and progressing to options for managers that 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'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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Upcoming Bye Weeks
Week 7: Bills, Rams, Vikings, Eagles
Week 8: Chiefs, Chargers
Week 9: Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Giants, Steelers, 49ers
Week 10: Ravens, Bengals, Patriots, Jets
Frontrunners - Week 7 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.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens - 4% Rostered
#Ravens Week 6 RB Usage
- Kenyan Drake: 57% snaps, 10 carries, 2 targets (127 yards, TD)
- J.K. Dobbins: 28% snaps, 7 carries, no targets (15 yards)
- Mike Davis: 9% snaps, no touchesDrake will be a popular waiver wire target this week
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) October 16, 2022
Drake had averaged 21 yards per game from Weeks 1-5 and had been relegated to 27 snaps, four carries, and 26 yards from Weeks 3-5 - including two games in which he was a healthy inactive. However, he catapulted back into relevance during a Week 6 performance that was unanticipated based on his recent usage and output.
Kenyan Drake. 30 yards. Untouched. @KDx32
📺: #BALvsNYG on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/a2TYofWatg pic.twitter.com/GDd8sRl7pu— NFL (@NFL) October 16, 2022
Drake stockpiled 119 rushing yards on 10 attempts, which was the first time that he had eclipsed 100+ since Week 10 of the 2020 regular season. He also led the Ravens in both categories, as J.K. Dobbins was limited to just seven carries and 15 yards on the ground.
Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh stated that Dobbins' knee had tightened up during the matchup with the Giants which impacted his usage, and Dobbins’ status should be monitored during the week. Gus Edwards could also be resurfacing into the backfield equation at any time.
However, Drake maximized his opportunities in Week 6 and has recaptured his place within the fantasy radar. He should also be included among your waiver priorities this week.
Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts - 43% Rostered
The 6’ 0”, 220-pound Jackson was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021 but was limited to 16 snaps during his rookie season. However, he has been launched into an integral role in the Colts’ offense as Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Nyheim Hines (concussion) have contended with injuries.
Jackson is also included among this week's frontrunners following his impressive performances in Weeks 5-6. However, it is recommended that you monitor the status of his quad injury, which was sustained when the Colts hosted Jacksonville in Week 6.
Jackson operated with a 58% snap share when Indianapolis traveled to Denver in Week 5 while leading the Colts in carries (13), rushing yards (62), and collecting all four of his targets.
I got a couple moves in my bag😎 https://t.co/qSRlnbm8nx
— Deon Jackson4️⃣ (@deon_jackson4) October 7, 2022
Jackson also functioned as the primary back (67% snap share) in Week 6, as he carried 12 times against the Jaguars while accumulating 42 yards and a touchdown. He also caught all 10 of his targets and assembled 79 yards as a pass-catcher.
RUN IT.
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/IuWvFRFCuT
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 16, 2022
The status of both Taylor and Hines should also be monitored, but if Jackson is healthy, he should capture an ongoing role even after Taylor re-emerges. His ability to capitalize on his opportunities has also vaulted him among this week’s backs to prioritize.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 34% Rostered
Leonard Fournette continues to operate with a sizable workload, as he accumulates opportunities as a rusher (95 attempts/15.8 per game) and a receiver (36 targets/6.0 per game). Fournette has also run 161 routes entering Week 7.
However, White’s involvement in the backfield rotation has also increased since Week 4, as he has carried 12 times while assembling 32 yards on the ground.
Tom Brady to Rachaad White on 4th down! #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/2ZQ9z2z7Zu
— Pro Football Culture (@proftblculture) October 16, 2022
White’s usage as a receiving back has also expanded as he ran 18 routes in Weeks 1-3 combined (7/6/5) before accumulating 47 routes from Weeks 4-6 - including a season-best 20 in Week 5. He has also collected 11 receptions and generated 89 receiving yards in Weeks 4-6 after he had been limited to two catches and seven yards from Weeks 1-3.
White has not secured standalone value, but his rising deployment within Tampa Bay’s backfield solidifies his standing as the team’s unchallenged RB2. He would confiscate an enormous workload if Fournette would become unavailable for any reason.
White would also vault into RB1 territory for all fantasy managers if that scenario were to develop, which provides sizable motivation to secure him for your rosters this week.
In The Running - Week 7 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These running backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Mike Boone, Denver Broncos - 39% Rostered
Boone is not a candidate to ascend into lead back responsibilities, and the 27-year-old back will be functioning within a backfield rotation for the Broncos.
Making moves, @_lococinco
📺: @NFLonPrime
pic.twitter.com/yUP2GkFLS7— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 7, 2022
However, that will not preclude Boone from seizing a respectable workload, as he operates with a level of burst that is needed in Denver’s reshaped backfield. That will keep him involved as a rusher and pass-catcher, and his usage could also expand even further if Melvin Gordon’s penchant for fumbling remains intact.
Boone secured a 41% snap share in Week 5 during the team’s first matchup without Javonte Williams (torn ACL), which was his highest share since 2019. He also averaged 5.4 per attempt and accrued 86 total yards during the contest. Boone will share touches during Denver’s Monday Night matchup with the Chargers, but he should garner a sufficient percentage of opportunities to solidify his status as a viable roster addition.
Boone remains available in 61% of all leagues and can be utilized as a flex by anyone who is building rosters in a PPR format.
Caleb Huntley/Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons - (Huntley 7% Rostered), (Allgeier 51% Rostered)
The Falcons had three 50+ yard rushers today:
Caleb Huntley (59)
Tyler Allgeier (51)
Marcus Mariota (50) pic.twitter.com/OsEWMnZ1tB— PFF ATL Falcons (@PFF_Falcons) October 16, 2022
Arthur Smith has remained committed to the deployment of Huntley and Allgeier in a rotation during Cordarrelle Patterson‘s ongoing absence.
Algeier has now accumulated 28 attempts during his last two contests, including his 15 carries in Week 6. Allgeier has also averaged 60 yards per game since Week 4, including the 51 that he generated during Atlanta’s Week 6 matchup with San Francisco.
Huntley did not register an offensive snap throughout his 2021 rookie season and only played on three snaps entering Atlanta’s Week 4 matchup with Cleveland. However, he has now carried 10+ times and generated 50+ yards in two of Atlanta’s last three contests. He also led the Falcons with 16 carries/59 rushing yards in Week 6 while establishing career highs in both categories.
Huntley provides a physical presence that should keep him involved in the distribution of touches until Patterson reemerges. Allgeier will also garner a respectable weekly workload, and should remain in Atlanta’s rotation even after Patterson (knee) and Damien Williams (ribs) have resurfaced.
Their roles in Atlanta’s reshaped backfield elevate both backs among your flex candidates on this week’s waiver wire.
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers - 17% Rostered
Kelley sustained a knee injury early in the Chargers' Week 6 matchup with Denver, and his status should be monitored. However, he had bypassed Sony Michel to capture RB2 responsibilities for Los Angeles in Week 5. That positioned Kelley to operate with an extensive workload if Austin Ekeler would become unavailable for any reason. He could become a valuable point producer for fantasy managers once he re-emerges in the Chargers' lineup.
Kelley had averaged a 23.3 snap share from Weeks 1-4, along with 3.3 carries and 13.5 yards per game during that sequence. However, his snap share rose to 38% when Los Angeles traveled to Cleveland in Week 5, while he was also entrusted with 10 rushing attempts and generated 49 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Michel’s 20.8% snap share from Weeks 1-4 plummeted to only 3% in Week 5. He had also been averaging 5.6 attempts and 14.5 yards per game but was limited to one carry and failed to register a yard versus the Browns.
Kelley can be secured as a handcuff for anyone who is reliant on Ekeler as their RB1. All other managers can consider stashing him if you are operating with a deeper bench.
Dark Horses - Week 7 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.
Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens - 15% Rostered
Ravens RB Gus Edwards was activated off PUP today and practiced for the first time in 13 months.
There’s been no timetable given on when he will play in a game.
Edwards was sidelined all of last season with a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/Dnpc8AWg3n
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 5, 2022
Edwards has been designated to return from the reserve/PUP list, which has launched a three-week window for him to be activated to the 53-man roster. If that transpires as expected, he will resurface after a protracted absence that began prior to Week 1 of the 2021 regular season.
Edwards’ workload will be managed when he does resurface, although he will eventually form a rotation with J.K. Dobbins and Kenyan Drake. That will elevate Edwards into RB3/flex territory, which is a timely development as fantasy managers contend with bye weeks, injuries, and disappointing workloads.
Edwards exceeded 700+ rushing yards during each of his first three seasons (2018-2020) while accumulating 414 attempts (9.6 per game) and 2,152 yards (50 per game) during that span. He also secured career-highs in attempts (144/9.0 per game) and rushing yards (723/45.2 per game) during 2020 and performed with enough proficiency to rank seventh among all backs in Football Outsiders’ DVOA (Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average).
Edwards is currently available in 15% of all leagues and can be stashed this week before the competition to seize him from the waiver wire intensifies.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers- 10% Rostered
Warren garnered attention within the fantasy community during August, as his performance during training camp and the preseason propelled him into Pittsburgh’s RB2 responsibilities. That elevated him among the league’s more enticing handcuff options, as he would ascend into the threshold of RB1 territory if Najee Harris is sidelined during the season.
Warren’s snap share had risen to a season-best 51% when Pittsburgh visited Buffalo in Week 5. He also secured season-highs in carries (five), targets (five), and total yards (63) before he only registered two touches during the Steelers' Week 6 matchup with Tampa Bay.
However, Warren’s status as a viable roster addition remains intact due to Harris’s frequent inefficiency (3.2 yards per attempt). Harris was allotted 14 carries and three targets in Week 6, but he averaged just 3.0 yards per attempt and manufactured seven receiving yards against the Buccaneers. Harris was also relegated to season-lows in rushing yards (20) and yards per attempt (1.82) in Week 5.
Mike Tomlin might not be inclined to make a sizable reduction in Harris’s workload as the season continues. However, there is still an enormous rationale for adding Warren, as he will become a vital resource to managers if Harris is sidelined during the weeks ahead.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Commandeers - 27% Rostered
Washington’s backfield remains more congested than fantasy managers would prefer, but McKissic is still collecting enough opportunities to operate as a flex option for anyone who participates in PPR leagues.
McKissic’s snap share has remained above 40% during five of his six matchups and has also exceeded 50% in two games. He has also attained a 14.7% target share while capturing 7+ in three different outings.
McKissic is third among all backs in targets (33), fourth in receptions (24), and sixth in receiving yardage (159) entering Week 6 while averaging 5.5 targets/4.0 receptions/26.5 yards per game. However, he did experience season-lows in snap share (30%) and targets (three) when Washington traveled to Chicago, as Brian Robinson’s 47% snap share led the trio of backs that now comprise Washington’s reshaped rotation.
It is conceivable that the workloads for McKissic, Robinson, and Antonio Gibson will be adjusted as the season continues. However, his track record of usage under Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner would suggest that he will maintain a respectable role in the Commandeers’ offense.
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.
Chase Edmonds, Miami Dolphins - 72% Rostered
Edmonds was contained on rosters in 90% of all leagues just one week ago. However, the rationale for removing him remains robust, as he simply is not receiving opportunities in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
The Dolphins' investment in Edmonds during the offseason (two years/ 12.6 million) appeared to indicate that he would function as an integral part of Miami’s backfield rotation. His involvement in Week 1 also justified that level of optimism as Edmonds operated with a 63% snap share while accumulating 16 touches and 65 total yards.
Unfortunately, his snap shares (34%) and his touch totals (5.0 per game) have plummeted since the season opener. He was relegated to season lows in snap share (15%) and touches (one) in Week 5 then was limited to two carries, three rushing yards, and two targets when the Dolphins hosted Minnesota in Week 6.
Raheem Mostert has confiscated lead back duties for the Dolphins while accumulating 71 rushing attempts, 309 rushing yards, and 14 targets.
The ongoing mix of bye weeks, injuries, and disappointing output from other backs continues to provide challenges. That should incentivize you to extract Edmonds this week.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles - 23% Rostered
Even though Miles Sanders was projected to operate as Philadelphia’s lead back, there was a rationale during the offseason for believing that Gainwell’s versatility had positioned him to secure a larger workload during his second season.
He appeared capable of capitalizing on any additional opportunities in a pass-catching role, while potentially receiving carries in the red zone. This also fueled interest in Gainwell as a player to target from the waiver wires during the initial weeks of the regular season.
However, that scenario has not developed, as Gainwell has been relegated to 23 rushing attempts and 97 rushing yards. He has also collected just four of eight targets while manufacturing 21 receiving yards. That includes his numbers in Week 6, (5 carries/25 yards/0 targets).
Gainwell has failed to procure a significant role. Retaining him also does not provide you with a genuine handcuff for Sanders, as Gainwell would operate in rotation with Boston Scott during any absence by Sanders. There are other backs on your waiver wire who provide greater potential to boost your scoring during the upcoming weeks.
Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans - 17% Rostered
Here is one final recommendation for anyone who still retains Burkhead on their rosters to locate a more productive option from this week’s waiver wire. His 71% snap share during Houston’s season opener fueled interest in rostering the 10-year veteran. However, the steady decline of his recent snap shares includes the season-low 21% that he registered when Houston traveled to Jacksonville in Week 5.
Burkhead has also been relegated to just six rushing attempts from Weeks 2-6 after he attained 14 in Week 1. He has also averaged 4.0 targets, 3.3 receptions, and 24.8 receiving yards per game since Week 2, while averaging 7.4 points per game.
Damien Pierce is averaging 18.3 points per game during that four-game span, which places him at RB7. Pierce has easily commandeered Houston’s lead back role while finishing fifth among all backs in rushing yards (412/82.4 per game) and seventh in attempts (86/17.2 per game) entering Houston’s bye week. Pierce has nearly matched Burkhead’s target total during that sequence (14/16), which should eviscerate any remaining hesitation in dropping Burkhead.
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