December 20, 2016

Pierre's running back waiver wire pickups for Week 16 of fantasy football. His top ranked NFL RBs to add from waivers, sleepers for Week 16 of the 2016 season.

This article will aim to highlight Week 16 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 16 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - CUTS

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Frontrunners for Week 16 - 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.

Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) 44% owned - Henry's touches aren't increasing very much, but he is making the most of the time he spends on the field. Henry scored twice against the Chiefs, much to the chagrin of DeMarco Murray owners. He only had nine rush attempts in the game, but came away with 58 yards and is up to 4.5 Y/A on the year. Henry's involvement in the red zone is a sign that the Titans trust him even in important games as they fight to make the playoffs. He is a high-end handcuff who may be worth flexing in standard leagues, given that he has three TD in the last three weeks.

Dion Lewis (RB, NE) 48% owned - It took some time, but Lewis has finally worked his way into the lead role for New England. He toted the rock 18 times for 95 yards against Denver, outrushing LeGarrette Blount. James White remains involved in passing situations, catching three passes compared to two for Lewis. Still, it appears Lewis will have solid RB2/flex appeal next week heading into New York to face the reeling Jets.

Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) 49% owned - Most active leagues won't see Dixon available on the waiver wire, but he still comes in under 50% ownership as we close out Week 15. Dixon unofficially assumed RB1 duties for the Ravens in MNF against the Pats last week. Terrance West outcarried Dixon this week 13-9, proving that it is still a timeshare situation. Dixon is the primary pass-catcher, however, and managed to score his second TD in consecutive weeks. He is worth owning in most formats.

In The Running - Week 16 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.

Mike Gillislee (RB, BUF) 25% owned - Gillislee doesn't really qualify as a vulture, since he isn't preventing LeSean McCoy from scoring his share of touchdowns. Gillislee also sees the field quite a bit as a change of pace or in the times Shady has been injured. In Week 15, against an atrocious Browns team, he scored and chipped in 37 yards even while McCoy was running wild. He remains one of the top handcuffs/backup RB to own in fantasy.

Justin Forsett (RB, DEN) 19% owned - Forsett wasn't efficient in his second week as a Bronco, but that could be said for the entire offensive unit. It is newsworthy that Forsett carried the ball 10 times compared to just six for Devontae Booker. The schedule doesn't get much easier for Denver, as they face the Chiefs in Arrowhead next week before finishing with the Raiders. Forsett is still the primary running back for a playoff contender, which makes him a possible flex play in deep fantasy leagues.

Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) 40% owned - Ivory produced 44 yards for the second straight week, but his stock could be up slightly for next week's matchup with Tennessee. The Jags fired their head coach Gus Bradley and there could be a big shakeup on offense. It would make sense for the team to give Ivory more of a chance to see what he can offer next season as a starter. T.J. Yeldon has been inefficient and the Jags don't have any other young backs worth taking a long look at for the future.

Honorable Mentions: Shane Vereen (RB, NYG) 5% owned, Paul Perkins (RB, NYG) 13% owned, Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) 22% owned, Charles Sims (RB, TB) 17% owned

Dark Horses - Week 16 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.

Christine Michael (RB, GB) 35% owned - As fantasy owners watched Ty Montgomery run wild, it seemed that Michael's value was disappearing completely. Then he took a fourth quarter run and turned it into a 42 yard TD. His big play ability is an asset, but he will clearly be behind Montgomery for carries. He will see 5-10 carries at most, making him a desperation play to close the season.

Robert Turbin (RB, IND) 3% owned - Turbin has emerged as one of the top TD vultures in the league this year, scoring six touchdowns on 38 carries. While Frank Gore racked up 115 total yards on the day, Turbin took two goal-line plunges on seven carries. He did manage 54 total yards on the day, mostly in mop-up duty of a blowout against the Vikings. Turbin is more appealing as a punt play in daily leagues than in standard leagues, but he has proven capable of scoring in any given week.

Ronnie Hillman (RB, SD) 7% owned - While Kenneth Farrow ran as the lead back and was a popular pick heading into Week 15. He was inefficient on his 15 carries, amassing just 39 yards, and fumbled twice. Hillman made the most of his seven rushes by collecting 34 yards. If Melvin Gordon remains out for Week 16, we could see closer to a 50/50 split with Hillman possessing more breakaway ability. He would still be a risky flex play.

Honorable Mentions: Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) 12% owned, Rex Burkhead (RB, CIN) 6% owned, Shaun Draughn (RB, SF) 1% owned, Damien Williams (RB, MIA) 3% owned, Darren McFadden (RB, DAL) 2% owned, Kerwynn Williams (RB, ARI) 1% owned

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

Devontae Booker (RB, DEN) 70% owned - Once a hot commodity on the waiver wire, his 15 minutes of fame are up. Booker carried six times for 17 yards in Week 15, ceding to Forsett. In other words, he seems to have lost his grip on the starting job to a player that has been waived twice during the season. You can't blame the Broncos for making the switch; Booker has a 3.4 Y/A on the season and has run for 53 yards in the last three weeks combined. Booker is not worth owning in any leagues and his dynasty value is in question as well.

James Starks (RB, GB) 34% owned - His second injury of the season opened the door for Montgomery to take the lead role again. Montgomery quickly slammed the door with his huge performance against the Bears, leaving little doubt that he is the back to own in Green Bay. Starks was never a great fantasy asset to begin with, collecting no more than 70 yards in a game this season and scoring just two TD.

Jerick McKinnon (RB, MIN) 53% owned - There hasn't been a good reason to put McKinnon in your lineup all year, but with AP back, he should be left on waivers everywhere. He carried the ball three times for 12 yards in Week 15. He did catch nine passes, but that was a result of the fact Minnesota was being blown out and forced to pass the ball the entire game. The way Minnesota's offense is playing, none of the backs are worth starting.