December 13, 2016

Pierre's running back waiver wire pickups for Week 15 of fantasy football. His top ranked NFL RBs to add from waivers, sleepers for Week 15 of the 2016 season.

This article will aim to highlight Week 15 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 15 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 15 - 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.

Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) 45% owned - Matt Forte exited after just three carries with an apparent knee injury, giving Powell the chance to face the 49ers' leaky run defense. He did as expected, carrying 29 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning score in overtime. He won't get San Fran again, so there is little chance of a repeat performance next week, but he could be a great value in PPR leagues and is instantly worth adding. Powell is now averaging 6.3 yards per carry and has caught 37 passes for 247 yards.

Kenneth Farrow (RB, SD) 3% owned - Melvin Gordon being carted off the field undoubtedly caused many fantasy owners to pull their hair out in this important week. He will get an MRI on his hip Monday to determine his status, but for now is uncertain for Week 15. Kenneth Farrow replaced Gordon, rushing 16 times for 55 yards and catching six passes for 23 yards. Should Gordon miss next week, Farrow is worth adding as the Chargers face Oakland.

Justin Forsett (RB, DEN) 20% owned - The numbers weren't pretty in his Denver debut, but the one that should be noted is snap share. Forsett carried the ball six time for 17 yards, including a fumble, but he was on the field just as much as Devontae Booker. Forsett took 26 snaps while Booker took 29 snaps and ran the ball just three times for one yard. Forsett has been discarded by two teams already this season, but is familiar with Gary Kubiak's offense and obviously has the coach's confidence.

In The Running - Week 15 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.

Alfred Blue (RB, HOU) 2% owned - Blue proved to be an effective change of pace in Week 14, spelling Lamar Miller to the tune of 16 carries for 55 yards. Miller had his fourth 100 yard game of the season, but the Texans wisely committed to the run and gave Blue enough work to keep him involved. Miller has been dinged up, so there is a good chance Blue will continue to see 12-15 carries and possibly goal-line work on occasion.

Ty Montgomery (RB, GB) 36% owned - Suddenly, Montgomery is involved in the Packers offense again. He carried the ball nine times for 41 yards and caught three passes for 45 yards, including a rushing score. Without the touchdown, those totals wouldn't be enough to satiate fantasy owners putting him in a flex slot, but it did come against the Seahawks. He can help in deep PPR leagues, but that's about it.

Charles Sims (RB, TB) 19% owned - Sims immediately slid back to the RB2/pass-catching role this week, supplanting Jacquizz Rodgers. Sims ran hard, although he finished with just 50 total yards. He has value in PPR leagues, even with Doug Martin around. Last season, Sims went over 1,000 combined yards and averaged 4.9 Y/A.

Honorable Mentions: Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) 44% owned, Shane Vereen (RB, NYG) 7% owned, Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) 12% owned, Mike Gillislee (RB, BUF) 27% owned, Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) 22% owned, Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) 46% owned, Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) 43% owned

Dark Horses - Week 15 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) 46% owned - He did it again, scoring a TD for the fourth time in five games. He looks like a safe bet for double-digit fantasy points in standard leagues, but that's his ceiling as well. Asiata totaled 51 yards against Jacksonville, which is his highest number since Week 8. As long as he keeps scoring, he has to be considered a worthy waiver add.

Damien Williams (RB, MIA) 3% owned - Williams doesn't get heavy usage, but when he does it is often in the red zone. Williams scored his sixth touchdown of the season against Arizona and was used instead of Jay Ajayi earlier near the goal-line. He is completely TD-dependent for fantasy value, having rushed for a total of 110 yards on the season.

Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) 4% owned - It wasn't overly impressive, but Washington took over lead duties and saw his biggest workload of the year thanks to another Theo Riddick injury. He ended the day with 16 rushes for 64 yards, but still couldn't find the end zone. Washington is probably not worth adding unless Riddick misses another game. Even so, the impending return of Ameer Abdullah should also be considered.

Honorable Mentions: Khiry Robinson (RB, NYJ) 0% owned, Rex Burkhead (RB, CIN) 7% owned, Shaun Draughn (RB, SF) 1% owned, Ameer Abdullah (RB, DET) 10% owned, Christine Michael (RB, GB) 40% owned, Robert Turbin (RB, IND) 2% owned

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI) 28% owned - As soon as Ryan Mathews returned for Week 14, Smallwood suffered his own injury. He carried the ball three times for three yards in the first half before leaving with a knee injury. Even if Smallwood is not on the injury report for Week 15, his value is virtually gone with Mathews and Sproles ahead of him.

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB, TB) 23% owned - Rodgers looked sharp in his return from injury, but Charles Sims is also back and seems to have the RB2 job. Rodgers carried the ball twice for zero yards in Week 14. Unless another injury occurs, Rodgers doesn't appear to have value at this time.

Kapri Bibbs (RB, DEN) 5% owned - Just when it looked like Bibbs might take over the starting job in Denver, he has been placed on IR due to a high ankle sprain. Bibbs was solid in his second season, carrying 29 times for 129 yards in a backup role. Justin Forsett looks like the player to own in the Broncos backfield for now.