September 20, 2016

Pierre Camus' 2016 fantasy football tiered rankings for Week 3 running backs (RB) - waiver wire pickups, adds & sleepers for PPR and non-PPR. These are NFL RBs to target

The injury bug was in full effect this week, as several high-profile running backs left the field early. Some of their possible replacements may surprise you, so be sure to check my column carefully before making any Week 3 waiver claims.

Each week, this article will aim to highlight running backs 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. All players listed have 50% or less ownership levels across Fleaflicker leagues.

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Frontrunners for Week 3 - Waiver Wire Running Backs

This group consists of running backs that I would unconditionally recommend adding if they are available on your waiver wire. 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.

Jerick McKinnon (RB, MIN) - 22% owned

The biggest injury of the day came in Sunday night's matchup between NFC North rivals. Adrian Peterson went down holding his knee, only to be helped off the field. The Teddy Bridgewater-AP era has now given way to Sam Bradford-Jerick McKinnon. It's questionable whether this is a good thing for the Vikings, but McKinnon will still get his shot to be the man. He has an impressive 4.9 Y/A in his career and could be a fantasy factor beginning in Week 3.

Fozzy Whitaker (RB, CAR) - 2% owned

Jonathan Stewart left Sunday's game early on with a hamstring injury and it was Whitaker seeing the bulk of the playing time thereafter. He responded with 100 yards on the ground and another 31 through the air. Cameron Artis-Payne has been a healthy scratch in the first two weeks, which indicates that he isn't going to be a major factor in the gameplan even if activated for Week 3. Hamstring issues can be tricky, so if Stewart misses more time, Whitaker could be a viable flex play in deep leagues.

Jay Ajayi (RB, MIA) - 27% owned

That didn't take long. Halfway through the second game of the regular season and Arian Foster's groin betrays him again (we've all been there). Ajayi took over lead running duties and promptly fumbled the ball. Although his final line wasn't impressive (5 ATT-14 YDS, 4 REC-31 YDS), if Foster is out for a long stretch then Ajayi becomes a starter with very little depth behind him. He hasn't proven he can be relied upon in any way, but he could provide depth if you're in need.

Shane Vereen (RB, NYG) - 19% owned

Vereen outrushed Rashad Jennings against New Orleans, but more curiously he also saw more carries. Vereen has mainly been a third-down back throughout his career, but his 14 rushes compared to 13 for Jennings may represent a shift in the Giants backfield. It doesn't appear that any RB in that group will have much stand-alone value, but PPR owners might bump Vereen up a notch for next week's rankings.

In The Running - Week 3 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.

Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) - 0% owned

Washington took a one-yard plunge for a TD in Week 1 and then put up 31 yards on four carries this week. Zach Zenner had been identified as a preseason sleeper candidate in Detroit, but has been inactive in favor of Washington. Ameer Abdullah left early against the Titans with an apparent foot injury, which may open the door for the rookie out of Washington. If Abdullah misses time, Theo Riddick jumps up to low-end RB1 status, but Washington looms as a change-of-pace and goal-line vulture.

Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) - 5% owned

You already know he's the third-down back, but here's an interesting note from Week 2. Matt Jones saw a total of 38 snaps in the game, Thompson saw 29. Jones was efficient in his time on the field, but he isn't a workhorse back. Thompson carried just twice for one yard, but chipped in 57 yards in the air. He isn't going to see much groundwork, but his continual presence on the field makes him relevant. Consider him a deep PPR option.

DeAndre Washington (RB, OAK) - 15% owned

All the attention shifted to fellow rookie Jalen Richard after his long TD run in Week 1, but DeAndre Washington showed some moves of his own against Atlanta. He broke a 26 yard run and finished with six carries for 46 yards. Not overwhelming, but when you consider Latavius Murray only carried the ball eight times, Washington's usage was fairly high. He will still be mostly used in the passing game from here on out.

Honorable Mentions: Devontae Booker (RB, DEN) - 12% owned, Jalen Richard (RB, OAK) - 11% owned, James Starks (RB, GB) - 20% owned, James White (RB, NE) - 43% owned, Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) - 22% owned.

Dark Horses - Week 3 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.

Kenyan Drake (RB, MIA) - 2% owned

In a complete reversal from Week 1 and all of training camp, Drake saw the field before Damien Williams after Foster was ruled out. Drake scored his first NFL touchdown on a seven-yard scamper, although he only carries the ball twice. He could play the third-down role if Foster remains out, since Ajayi is not a skilled pass-catcher. Keep in mind, Drake himself has had injury problems throughout the preseason.

Kenneth Farrow (RB, SD) - 2% owned

The severity of Danny Woodhead's injury isn't known yet, but given the fact it was identified as a knee injury is not good. According to early reports, it isn't an ACL issue, but he could still be out a few weeks. Melvin Gordon will be the workhorse, but someone else will need to step in to provide help. Farrow was not a big receiving threat at the University of Houston, catching just 10 passes his senior year, but he is a small, shifty player that could fill that role nonetheless.

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB, TB) - 0% owned

Just signed to the team five days ago, Rodgers is familiar with head coach Dirk Koetter from his days in Atlanta. Rodgers spent four seasons with the Falcons seeing spot duty before a disappointing stint with the Bears in 2015. Rodgers must now fill the void in Doug Martin's absence as he recovers from a hamstring issue. Rodgers shouldn't have much value unless Charles Sims also goes down.

Honorable Mentions: Mike Gillislee (RB, BUF) - 1% owned, Kenjon Barner (RB, PHI) -  1% owned, Cameron Artis-Payne (RB, WAS) - 1% owned.

Also-Rans

Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) - 32% owned

If Matt Forte is going to tote the rock 30 times, that doesn't leave much room for Powell to make any contrbutions. Forte isn't going to be pulled on passing situations, so even Powell's PPR value is evaporating. He remains strictly a handcuff for Forte owners.

Terrance West (RB, BAL) - 22% owned

The window of opportunity for West to be relevant is quickly closing. Rookie Kenneth Dixon will be back in a few weeks to steal playing time and Justin Forsett is already getting more carries than West. He ran for 32 yards on 12 carries in Week 1, followed by 42 yards on 11 carries in Week 2. You should be looking for more upside than a player who averages 3.8 career Y/A.

C.J. Spiller (RB, NO) - 4% owned

In case you didn't hear, Spiller was released by the Saints. He didn't seem too disappointed about it either. Spiller has not been able to stay healthy for a while, but even when he was, he barely made an impact in New Orleans. If he couldn't muster any production in a dynamic offense that caters to pass-catching RB, don't take the chance he will catch on somewhere else and suddenly produce. No, not even New England.