December 6, 2016

Pierre's running back waiver wire pickups for Week 14 of fantasy football. His top ranked NFL RBs to add from waivers, sleepers for Week 14 of the 2016 season.

This article will aim to highlight Week 14 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.

Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 14 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS

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Frontrunners for Week 14 - 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.

Mike Gillislee (RB, BUF) 23% owned - It's perplexing to see his ownership level drop so far, but that could work to your advantage if you have room to stash an RB entering the fantasy playoffs. Gillislee showed again that any runner in Buffalo has value by scoring two TDs even with a healthy LeSean McCoy on the field in Week 13. Aside from being one of the top handcuffs at the RB position, Gillislee has stand-alone value due to his usage near the goal-line. He has seven touchdowns on the year and was averaging 5.8 Y/A entering Week 13. Add him even if you don't own McCoy.

Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) 45% owned - The Titans were the last NFL team to have a bye (technically Cleveland counts too), so nothing has changed with Henry. We learned that he will see most of his opportunities toward the end of either half when the Titans are leading, which has been frequently as of late. He is still a handcuff at this point, but one with great upside if Murray should go down at the worst possible time. He ran for 60 yards in Week 12 and is averaging 4.5 Y/A on the season.

Shane Vereen (RB, NYG) 3% owned - Vereen may return to action next week just in time to face the division rival Cowboys. He began practicing last week, but hasn't officially been activated. Vereen's arrow was pointing up when he injured his triceps in Week 3. In that game he combined for 95 yards and a touchdown. He'll have to share work with Rashad Jennings but could have value in PPR leagues as the main pass-catching back.

In The Running - Week 14 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.

Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) 46% owned - For the first time in five weeks, Dixon saw his usage go down. Dixon owners might also be dismayed to see that Terrance West scored twice, but Dixon was still effective when used. He finished Baltimore's rout of Miami with 56 yards on six carries and caught four passes for 21 yards. It's still a timeshare in Baltimore, making Dixon a viable flex play in deep leagues. Beware next week's matchup on the road against New England - he shouldn't be started unless you have no better options.

Christine Michael (RB, GB) 44% owned - It was hard for anyone to gain traction on the frozen tundra in Week 13. Michael wound up with 19 yards on nine rush attempts in his first extended action with Green Bay. Mike McCarthy claims Michael has picked up the offense quickly, so he could see even more carries next week against his former team. Of course, starting any running back against Seattle is not recommended, so he's simply worth stashing for a potential Week 15 matchup with Chicago.

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB, TB) 20% owned - Rodgers has made his return from injury before Charles Sims and was on the field more often than expected in Week 13. Rodgers took 22 snaps, compared to 36 for starter Doug Martin. Rodgers put up big numbers between Weeks 5-8 before spraining his foot, although that was as the lone option in the Tampa backfield. He doesn't have much stand alone value, but with the way injuries have been passed around that RB corps, it wouldn't hurt to keep him stashed if you already own Martin.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) 46% owned, Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) 12% owned, Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) 44% owned, Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) 22% owned

Dark Horses - Week 14 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.

Matt Asiata (RB, MIN) 47% owned - The Samoan Sledgehammer was held out of the end zone for the first time in four weeks. He will not get you much yardage and he only has 23 receptions in 12 games. He is a goal-line vulture, plain and simple. Fortunately, the Vikes face a couple of soft fronts in Jacksonville and Indianapolis the next two weeks. Standard league owners needing help at flex could take a chance and hope for a touchdown.

Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI) 38% owned - Smallwood had a great chance to stand out with Ryan Mathews still sidelined in Week 13, but was shut down by the Bengals instead. Smallwood ran for 19 yards on eight carries and was taken completely out of the offense when the Eagles fell behind 26-0. Smallwood had been averaging 4.4 yards per carry entering the week, but it's hard to prove any Philadelphia RB outside of Sproles in a PPR league. He is a desperation play only at this point.

Rex Burkhead (RB, CIN) 2% owned - Burkhead outrushed starter Jeremy Hill despite carrying the ball 15 fewer times. Neither total was particularly impressive, as Burkhead managed 38 rushing yards and 28 receiving. He will continue to play second fiddle to Hill, so it would be a mistake to expect an increase in usage. He is a TD-dependent play in only the deepest of leagues or a punt play in daily formats.

Honorable Mentions: Kapri Bibbs (RB, DEN) 11% owned, Shaughn Draughn (RB, SF) 1% owned, Jonathan Williams (RB, BUF) 2% owned, Ameer Abdullah (RB, DET) 10% owned

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) 2% owned - That's it, I give up. Washington has gotten his chance to be Detroit's main early down back and done absolutely nothing with it. He carried seven times for 21 yards in Week 13, keeping his rushing average under three yards per carry. He's only scored one touchdown this year and Ameer Abdullah is ready to make a comeback. He doesn't belong anywhere except deep dynasty league rosters.

Jeremy Langford (RB, CHI) 26% owned - It's obvious the Bears can do without Langford and so can your fantasy team. He carried the ball once for two yards against the 49ers and their ridiculously bad run defense. Meanwhile, Jordan Howard logged 32 carries for 117 yards and three scores. If Howard is on the field, Langford is pretty much useless at this point.

Paul Perkins (RB, NYG) 17% owned - Vereen's return makes Perkins expendable. Perkins made some decent plays against Pittsburgh, running for 38 yards on seven carries. He wasn't targeted in the passing game though, which is where his main value lies. Perkins hasn't put together a valuable fantasy game this season and that will certainly hold true as soon as Vereen is activated.