November 28, 2017

Pierre's recommended Week 13 running back waiver wire pickups for 2017 fantasy football. Add these free agent running backs (RBs) for PPR and non-PPR teams.

The fact that some players who weren't sure things to even make the final roster this preseason are suddenly viable for fantasy leagues speaks volumes on the volatility of the running back position. You still won't find any surefire starters on this list (not even Burkhead), but there's always the chance that some of these players stick as RB depth or serve as spot starters.

This article will aim to highlight Week 13 waiver wire adds for running backs, players that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire if available. 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 and a suggested percentage of your FAAB to spend on each player.

Frontrunners for Week 13 - Waiver Wire Running Backs

Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots - 50% owned (12-15% FAAB)

The skepticism is real. Although Burkhead has been increasingly involved the last couple of weeks, he remains only half-owned across Yahoo leagues. Burkhead will never see 20+ touches on a regular basis, but he doesn't need to if he's going to be so involved near the red zone. In Week 12, he scored on the ground and through the air, rewarding those who took a chance on him. Touchdowns aside, he carried a season-high 13 times for 50 yards and caught both his targets. With mouth-watering matchups against Buffalo and Miami the next two weeks, he could easily be a part of your starting lineup during the playoff stretch run.

Rod Smith, Dallas Cowboys - 14% owned (8% FAAB)

Seeing Smith get the garbage-time TD on Thanksgiving was no doubt aggravating to those who rolled out Alfred Morris (speaking from personal experience here). His usage wasn't high, but the fact that Dallas waived Darren McFadden means his role as the RB2 in Dallas is secure. If Morris is ineffective or Smith flashes more big-play ability, there is a chance his role could grow, especially if the team falls further out of playoff contention. You don't want to count on him in your starting lineup this coming week, but he could make a smart stash.

Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 14% owned (5-7% FAAB)

It might be a blessing in disguise to see Doug Martin on the sideline, as he was a constant source of frustration ever since being reinstated. Martin will go through the concussion protocol this week, but if he misses time then Rodgers takes over as the lead back again. He wasn't terribly effective in relief of Martin this week, rushing eight times for 31 yards; he didn't do anything outstanding in the first three games of the year either. His presumed volume at Green Bay next week could put him into flex consideration, however. Don't overspend, as he could be a one-week starter only and could even lose some carries to Peyton Barber.

In The Running - Week 13 Waiver Wire Running Backs

Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1% owned (3% FAAB)

Deja vu all over again? Doug Martin is ineffective and now hurt. Barber steps in and scores two touchdowns. Bucs fans and fantasy owners with sharp memories might recall how Barber emerged from out of nowhere in Week 6 of the 2016 season to put up 84 yards and a TD when Tampa was desperate for healthy bodies at running back. We had a similar situation this week, except that Barber only mustered seven yards but still wound up as a top-10 RB thanks to his nose for the end zone. It's best if you just don't start any running back in Tampa, but if you're scouring the wire for help, he could serve as a desperation play against Green Bay.

Devontae Booker, Denver Broncos - 34% owned (3% FAAB)

The Broncos appear to be a massive dumpster fire, which makes recommending any RB on this team difficult. A new offensive coordinator and new QB just made things worse, as the Broncos didn't put up a single point in the first three quarters against Oakland. If there is a glimmer of hope, it would be Trevor Siemian giving the team a spark in his return to the field. Booker did get more touches than either C.J. Anderson or Jamaal Charles this week, but will need to stay involved in the pass game in order to bring anything to the table for fantasy owners.

Honorable Mentions: Austin Ekeler (34% owned), Matt Forte (39% owned)

Dark Horses - Week 13 Running Backs Waiver Wire

D.J. Foster, Arizona Cardinals - 0% owned (1% FAAB)

Foster is the new Andre Ellington. Not like that's a huge compliment, but it does appear the Foster will take over the pass-catching role in the backfield. He only caught three passes for 18 yards and carried the ball once in Week 12, but he made a huge grab on the sideline with seconds left in regulation to allow the Cardinals a chance to kick the game-wining field goal. He could be rewarded with more targets in the coming weeks, although it's admittedly a pretty low ceiling, even in PPR leagues.

Byron Marshall, Washington Redskins - 0% owned (1% FAAB)

We're hitting desperation mode here, but Marshall will continue to see a few touches each week as a pass-catcher/change-of-pace. He only totaled 30 yards on Thanksgiving, but it was his first action in Washington. He's merely a end-of-bench depth stash or handcuff for Samaje Perine.

Wayne Gallman, New York Giants - 4% owned (0% FAAB)

Technically, Gallman was the highest-scoring skill player for the Giants on turkey day! 37 rushing yards and six receiving yards with no touchdowns will do that when the rest of the team does absolutely nothing. This is a sad offense, to be sure, so it will probably take an injury to Orleans Darkwa before you have any real interest in Gallman. It should be noted that Gallman outsnapped Darkwa 22-19, but there's no guarantee it will continue that way.

Honorable Mentions: T.J. Yeldon (15% owned), Jonathan Stewart (38% owned), J.D. McKissic (31% owned)

Time To Say Goodbye

Ty Montgomery, Green Bay Packers - 71% owned

Do you really need to hold fast here? Montgomery could actually come back in Week 13 if his rib injury doesn't hold him out again, but what will he bring to the table? Jamaal Williams showed some life on Sunday night and Aaron Jones could be back in a week or two as well. Montgomery hasn't seen double-digit carries since Week 6 and is pretty much touchdown-dependent in a change-of-pace role. If you have someone like Burkhead available on the wire and need to make room, you can part ways with Montgomery.

David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals - 57% owned

Acceptance is the final stage and it's time to let go. If your season was screwed from the start because your #1 overall pick went out with a wrist injury in Week 1, you aren't alone. The hope always remained that he would return just in time for the fantasy playoffs to save the day, but alas it isn't meant to be. Bruce Arians put the kibosh on any chance of DJ coming back this season, so you can clear up that roster spot if you were holding him in re-draft leagues. If you're a dynasty owner building for the future (i.e. you aren't making the playoffs) then you might want to tempt a Johnson owner in the hunt with some win-now pieces to see what happens.

Damien Williams, Miami Dolphins - 38% owned

Williams was carted off the field with an apparent shoulder injury in Week 12. He was a marginal fantasy flex play to begin with, but the spectre of missing extended time makes him completely expendable. Williams was averaging 3.8 yards per carry and had just one touchdown on the season, so you aren't losing much anyway by cutting a player in a RBBC situation for the worst offensive team in the NFL.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Analysis