The running back position continues to be the most unpredictable element of fantasy football and Week 9 was no exception. In a week where Harris, Hightower and Bibbs ranked among the top ten fantasy scorers, outproducing the likes of Bell, Murray, and Gurley, nothing should be surprising at this point. Who will be the next unknown RB to suddenly become a fantasy contributor?

This article will aim to highlight Week 10 waiver wire adds for running backs, players that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire. Running backs will be split up into three tiers - from most desirable, to most desperate.

I will also include RBs at the bottom of this list that you might consider cutting in order to make room for your new additions.

Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 10 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

 

Frontrunners for Week 10 - Waiver Wire Running Backs

This group consists of running backs that I would recommend adding if they are available on your waiver wire. Some are more viable for PPR formats, so take note of that. These players have either earned a greater workload due to injury/performance issues or have shown that they can be weekly contributors to their NFL teams. All players listed have 50% or less ownership levels across fantasy leagues.

Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) 32% owned - It took a couple of weeks and a change at offensive coordinator, but Ivory finally became an important part of the offense. Ivory saw a season-high 18 carries which translated into 107 yards. He should have registered a touchdown as well, but it was inexplicably denied by officials upon review even though he clearly crossed the plane (yes, I started Ivory in two leagues). His lack of involvement in the passing game limits his value, but Ivory is worth adding in all standard leagues and is more talented than many of the other options on this list.

Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) 12% owned - As promised, Dixon saw a bigger workload after the bye week. The good news: he saw 20 snaps, compared to 30 for Terrance West. The bad news: he only produced 13 yards on nine rushing attempts and zero yards on two receptions. West didn't do much better, as the Ravens offense struggled as a whole. Dixon's usage should increase and his matchup next week against the Browns finally makes him a possible flex candidate.

DuJuan Harris (RB, SF) 33% owned - Carlos Hyde is once again proving to be injury prone, so it was recent acquisition DuJuan Harris who contributed the most in Week 9 against New Orleans. He did most of his damage in the passing game, racking up 83 yards and a TD in the air. He also ran for 59 yards, making for quite a nice fantasy day. At 5'7", Harris is a speed back who simply hasn't been able to stick with an NFL team for multiple seasons at a time. If Hyde misses more time, Harris looks like the back to own in San Fran, although they have two tough contests ahead with Arizona and New England on the slate. Harris is best left as an RB3/flex in deep leagues.

 

In The Running - Week 10 Waiver Wire Running Backs

This group consists of running backs widely available on the waiver wire who aren't must-adds, but could be worth stashing or streaming if the above options are already taken.

Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) 3% owned - 10 carries for 26 yards won't make you run out and stake a waiver claim for a player, nor should it. The Lions are on bye in Week 10, so Washington isn't worth adding just yet anyway. He did surpass Zach Zenner and Justin Forsett on the depth chart, seeing 20 snaps while those two backs didn't hit the field. This makes him the only power running threat on the field and a potential goal-line threat. Washington's ineffectiveness can be attributed to an extremely tough matchup against the Vikings. Theo Riddick is still the primary back and pass-catcher, but Washington could provide value beginning in Week 11 against the Jaguars.

Dion Lewis (RB, NE) 38% owned - There's a decent chance Lewis suits up this week, although it's the worst possible matchup with Seattle coming to town. PPR owners with fond memories of Lewis' production late last season may want to take a chance on a repeat. Lewis put up 83 fantasy points in seven games last season, so don't underestimate his value once he's on the field behind Tom Brady.

Thomas Rawls (RB, SEA) - 38% owned - Week 11 is now looking like a realistic return date for Rawls, although it is still a moving target. Whether he will be the same game-changing back he was last year upon return is a matter of question. Rawls started seven games in the second half of 2015 and wound up with a league-high 5.6 Y/A. He is worth adding if you have the room for a stash in deep leagues and are desperate for an RB, which is why you're here in the first place, isn't it?

Honorable Mentions: Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) 13% owned, Mike Gillislee (RB, BUF) 39% owned, C.J. Prosise (RB, SEA) 17% owned, Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) 48% owned, Rob Kelley (RB, WAS) 28% owned, Paul Perkins (RB, NYG) 6% owned

 

Dark Horses - Week 10 Running Backs Waiver Wire

This group consists of running backs who are strictly desperation plays. They could serve as a bye week fill-in, short-term injury replacement or weekly lottery ticket.

Peyton Barber (RB, TB) 18% owned - At the moment, Barber might literally be the only healthy body in the Tampa Bay backfield. Doug Martin's return from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2 remains a mystery. Jacquizz Rodgers is trying to recover from a sprained foot. Antone Smith is done for the year after suffering a knee injury this week. By default, Barber could see heavy volume in Week 10, making him a viable option for those still in need of RB help. He didn't show much explosiveness against the Falcons, rushing for 31 yards on 11 attempts. Barber didn't profile as a special back at Auburn, which is why he went undrafted earlier this year. He will be a mostly TD-dependent back if he sees the start in Week 10.

James Starks (RB, GB) 18% owned - After experimenting with receivers and practice squad players at the RB position, it's possible the Packers get Starks back in Week 10. He has never been much of a rushing threat, averaging 33.8 yards per game on the ground for his career. He will catch 3-5 passes a game, but only has modest PPR value in a Green Bay offense that will continue to spread the ball around. Before getting hurt, Starks had amassed 92 total yards in four games, so don't expect him to contribute too much simply because Eddie Lacy isn't around.

Ronnie Hillman (RB, MIN) 2% owned - Hillman has now joined the RBBC developing in Minnesota, which has been largely ineffective this season. He ran for 30 yards in seven attempts against the Lions and turned in a 32-yard reception. None of the running backs in Minnesota have been able to replace Adrian Peterson (surprise, surprise), so it's hard to recommend him as anything other than a desperation punt play. Hillman averages 4.1 Y/A for his career, the first four years of which he spent in Denver before being waived this preseason.

Honorable Mentions: DeAngelo Williams (RB, PIT) 38% owned, Jeremy Langford (RB, CHI) 27% owned, Kapri Bibbs (RB, DEN) 7% owned, Alfred Blue (RB, HOU) 4% owned, Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI) 4% owned, Damien Williams (RB, MIA) 1% owned

 

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) 33% owned - Easy come, easy go. After looking like a top waiver add a couple of weeks ago, Thompson is not going to be playable in the near future. Rob Kelley has taken over primary rushing duties and Matt Jones could be ready to return following the bye. Even so, Washington will face Minnesota and Green Bay the next two weeks, both among the top run defenses in the league. Take a chance on someone with more upside in a run-heavy offense rather than a pass-catching specialist like Thompson.

Antone Smith (RB, TB) 27% owned - Another one bites the dust. Smith becomes the latest casualty as an RB wearing a Buccaneer uniform. His season ends after just ten carries in three games. He was never more than a lottery ticket for Week 9 that didn't pay off. Smith has proven unable to shake the injury bug throughout his career and 2016 was no exception.

Jamaal Charles (RB, KC) 37% owned - Public service announcement: Charles is on IR and done for the season. There are now questions being raised about his future, given the fact he is going to be a 30 year-old RB coming off multiple ACL tears. He should have already been dropped in all re-draft leagues, but his value in dynasty leagues is up for question as well.

 

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