December 12, 2017

Pierre's recommended Week 15 running back waiver wire pickups for 2017 fantasy football. Add these free agent running backs (RBs) for PPR and non-PPR teams.

Your top two fantasy running backs for Week 14 (entering Sunday night), are Jonathan Stewart and Rod Smith. That, folks, is why you search the waiver wire each and every week. You either had a very good hunch or a very bad starting lineup if you were playing either of those RB in the playoffs. Either way, congrats. If you didn't hit the flex lottery and still need help entering round two or are simply looking to add depth, there are still some valuable commodities available.

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 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. I won't suggest a FAAB% from this point on since you are likely down to the bottom of your proverbial wallet. If you want one of the frontrunners, pay everything you've got.

Frontrunners for Week 15 - Waiver Wire Running Backs

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers - 38% owned (all the FAAB)

The league's least elusive back for a large chunk of the season, Stewart found the end zone three times against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Go figure. Stewart did most of his damage on a 60-yard run through a wide open hole on the right side of the line in what looked to be a poorly-defensed play by the Vikings. He otherwise averaged less than three yards per carry on the day. What should keep fantasy owners interested is the fact that he got multiple carries in the red zone and turned two of those into scores. Plays that used to be QB keepers have started to shift toward Stewart's favor, as he has now scored in three straight games since the bye. The Panthers' shift in offensive philosophy makes Stewart a virtual must-start in standard leagues that rely on touchdown value, but he's still a risky play in PPR leagues due to his low floor.

Rod Smith, Dallas Cowboys - 13% owned (all the FAAB)

I'm about to minimize Smith's Week 14 performance, but I still think he's a must-add for reasons I'll explain. First, Smith took advantage of a matchup against a Giants team that was the worst run defense in the entire league after 13 weeks of play. Second, both his scores came in the fourth quarter of a game that had already been decided. Third, he relied on two huge chunk plays to garner all his value. Now that I've explained why you can't expect a game like that again, let me suggest you add him immediately. The Cowboys face Oakland next week, who were the first team to allow 100+ yards to Kareem Hunt since Week 5. Smith also out-touched Alfred Morris on the day and could get more work as a result of his big plays. While he's a recommended must-add, he's not necessarily a must-start.

Mike Davis, Seattle Seahawks - 38% owned (all the FAAB)

He predictably fell back to Earth this week with just 65 scrimmage yards and one catch on the day, but does benefit from a better matchup in Week 15. Rather than the top-rated Jags defense, the Seahawks will face the Rams, who sit in the bottom-five of all major run defense categories. The main issue is no longer playing time, but health. Davis left the game early and will need to be monitored throughout the week to make sure he's good to go.

In The Running - Week 15 Waiver Wire Running Backs

Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions - 38% owned (10% FAAB)

Riddick did what he does, running for just 29 yards but tallying 64 yards on six catches. What made him a fantasy stud this week were the two touchdowns he added. Riddick took advantage of Ameer Abdullah's absence, but may not be so lucky next week. Even so, you can't count on the scoring to continue, as Riddick has never been a big red zone threat. He's worth a flex spot in deep PPR leagues, but could emerge with value in standard leagues again if Abdullah is still out.

Tarik Cohen, Chicago Bears - 44% owned (5-10% FAAB)

Cohen's usage has got to be confusing even to him. He was an integral part of the Bears offense for the first six weeks, then totaled eight touches through a four-week stretch mid-year. Against the Bengals, he saw his third-highest touch total of the season and parlayed it into 85 yards. He actually should have had a huge fantasy day, as he had two separate touchdown runs called back after review--one on a cheap penalty. Cohen is as boom-bust as it gets, but fantasy owners looking for upside can't find more than with Cohen.

Peyton Barber, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 36% owned (5-10% FAAB)

For a minute, it looked like Doug Martin was going to reclaim his starting job. After a strong first drive capped off by a touchdown run, Martin then fumbled and found himself on the bench. Barber did a fine job, racking up 58 yards on 12 carries. He might have done more if the Bucs didn't insist on turning it over on every other possession. He still isn't guaranteed touches, as he's technically part of the rare and dangerous four-headed monster RBBC. There is potential here, however, which makes him at least flex-worthy if your pickings are slim.

Honorable Mentions: Austin Ekeler (30% owned), Matt Forte (36% owned), Marlon Mack (21% owned)

Dark Horses - Week 15 Running Backs Waiver Wire

Kerwynn Williams, Arizona Cardinals - 11% owned (5% FAAB)

Williams again looked the part of a starting RB, with 73 yards on the ground in 20 carries. He could be a high-volume back once again if Adrian Peterson is not cleared medically to return for Week 15. Williams isn't catching a ton of passes, nor is he scoring touchdowns, but he could be an RB3 in standard leagues based on opportunity against the Redskins next week. Washington's run defense isn't too scary, but then again neither is Arizona's offense.

Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles - 11% owned (3% FAAB)

Sadly, the Eagles may be forced to run the ball a whole lot more if Carson Wentz turns out to have a serious injury. Clement only saw six carries in Week 14, but his red zone usage was there. He remains a weekly threat to score as long as Philly is moving the ball the way they have been. It will be interesting to see how much volume he gets and how frequently Nick Foles can get the team in scoring position, but Clement will still have a role. You don't want to start him if you can help it, but a matchup against the Giants helps his value tremendously.

Wayne Gallman, New York Giants - 3% owned (2% FAAB)

I know, you really don't want any part of this offense. With nary a receiver to throw to any more, the Giants seem content to dink and dunk and keep Eli from looking bad in his last days with the team (presumably). Gallman wound up with seven receptions and 99 total yards, which is nothing to sneeze at if you're just looking for double digits out of a flex spot. Beware that the Giants face the juggernaut Eagles next week, so Gallman will have to make a living in the pass game since Philly completely shuts down opposing runners not named Todd Gurley.

Honorable Mentions: Chris Ivory (11% owned), Matt Breida (5% owned)

Time To Say Goodbye

Danny Woodhead, Baltimore Ravens - 40% owned

Alex Collins is running better than ever and Buck Allen hasn't gone away, leaving Danny Woodhead as the third of the trio. Woodhead is catching passes, but that's about it. In five games as a Raven, he hasn't gone over 50 yards from scrimmage and is yet to score a touchdown. Don't talk about a high floor either - his four catches for 29 yards in Week 14 were a season high.

Adrian Peterson, Arizona Cardinals - 78% owned

When you hear that there is no timeline for a player to come back from injury, you can either cut bait right away or stash for later. As we enter Week 15, there is no later. If Peterson isn't absolutely cleared to play early this week from his neck injury, he doesn't need to be on your roster. You won't be missing much anyway - he's averaging 3.5 Y/A since arriving in Arizona and has only scored a touchdown in one game all season.

J.D. McKissic, Seattle Seahawks - 18% owned

There are other running backs out there with higher ownership and lesser usage (or injuries), but those obviously belong to deadbeat owners who aren't paying attention. If you own McKissic, you likely picked him up in the last few weeks and were hoping to see him become a major factor in the Seahawks offense. His value in this offense is no higher than Danny Woodhead in Baltimore. He will get you between 5-10 points in full PPR leagues each week, but no more. You need to aim higher at this point in the season.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Analysis