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After nine weeks of the regular season, some of you have been able to embrace the numbers that have been assembled by the running backs that are contained on your rosters. Unfortunately, an increasing number of you have been negatively impacted by injuries to your backs, while others have contended with disappointing output due to a collection of unexpected developments.
The reemergence of bye weeks continues to provide an additional roster challenge that fuels interest in locating options on the waiver wire. That includes the four teams that will be impacted this week - Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, and the New York Giants. This ensures that anyone with Joe Mixon, Saquon Barkley, Devontae Booker, David Montgomery, or Khalil Herbert on your rosters will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
Regardless of why you are considering your waiver wire options, this week’s recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners for anyone that is struggling with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be dropped in order for you to secure your replacements. After you've finished this breakdown, you can also find news updates and data-fueled analysis that is designed to help you maximize the scoring potential of your rosters.
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Remaining Bye Week Schedule
- Week 10: Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New York Giants
- Week 11: Denver, Los Angeles Rams
- Week 12: Arizona, Kansas City
- Week 13: Carolina, Cleveland, Green Bay, Tennessee
- Week 14: Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Philadelphia
Week 9 Rushing Leaders
| Week 9 Rushing Leaders | Team | Attempts | Yards | YPA | TDs |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis | 19 | 172 | 9.1 | 2 |
| Nick Chubb | Cleveland | 14 | 137 | 9.8 | 2 |
| Javonte Williams | Denver | 17 | 111 | 6.5 | 0 |
| Dalvin Cook | Minnesota | 17 | 110 | 6.5 | 0 |
| Devontae Booker | New York Giants | 21 | 99 | 4.7 | 0 |
| James Conner | Arizona | 21 | 96 | 4.6 | 2 |
| Melvin Gordan | Denver | 21 | 80 | 3.8 | 1 |
| Devonta Freeman | Baltimore | 13 | 79 | 6.1 | 0 |
| Josh Jacobs | Las Vegas | 13 | 76 | 5.9 | 0 |
| Nyheim Hines | Indianapolis | 6 | 74 | 12.3 | 1 |
| Jordan Howard | Philadelphia | 17 | 71 | 4.2 | 1 |
| Darrel Williams | Kansas City | 19 | 70 | 3.7 | 0 |
| Carlos Hyde | Jacksonville | 21 | 67 | 3.2 | 0 |
Frontrunners - Running Backs to Pickup in Week 10
These backs should be your top waiver wire pickup priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard.
D'Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns - 41% Rostered
Johnson’s availability has gradually increased since his statistical eruption in Week 7 (24 touches/168 total yards). That has created an enormous opportunity for fantasy managers who are searching for a starting option on this week’s waiver wire. Johnson operated as Cleveland’s workhorse back when the Browns hosted Denver, as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were unavailable with calf injuries. Chubb regained lead back duties in Week 8, which fueled the gradual decline in Johnson’s rostership percentage.
However, Johnson could vault into RB1 responsibilities once again, after Chubb, Demetric Felton, and John Kelly all tested positive for COVID-19. Johnson has demonstrated the ability to run proficiently whenever he receives the opportunity and he remains capable of thriving with a sizable workload if Chubb is absent during Sunday’s matchup with New England.
Nice way to introduce yourself.@DernestJohnson2 | #Browns pic.twitter.com/Yhjoj4iZhe
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 22, 2021
Johnson attained a 32% snap share and generated 46 total yards in Weeks 8-9 while operating as Chubb’s backup, and his status as the Browns’ primary back would not be impacted by the availability of Felton or Kelly. Chubb’s status must be monitored, but the potential for Johnson to function with an extensive workload has launched him among this week's top priorities on the waiver wire.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team - 54% Rostered
McKissic’s rostership percentage has remained stationary at just under 60%. This provides the opportunity to secure him as the Football Team resurfaces from their bye week – particularly if you are constructing rosters in the PPR format. McKissic accumulated eight targets during Washington’s Week 8 matchup in Denver. That expanded his season total to 42 (5.3 per game), which tied him for third among all backs. He was also third at his position in both receptions (33/4.1 per game) and receiving yards (332/41.5 per game).
J.D. McKissic with an ABSURD touchdown to give Washington (-2) the lead 💥
— The Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) October 3, 2021
McKissic also led all backs in each of those categories from Weeks 6-8 (24 targets/8.0 per game), (20 receptions/6.7 per game), (182 yards (60.7 per game), and is primed to operate in a sizable role when the Football Team contends with Tampa Bay’s staunch run defense on Sunday. McKissic’s touch totals would increase even further if Antonio Gibson’s workload would be managed due to his shin issue, or if Gibson would be sidelined completely – even though McKissic would cede rushing attempts to Jaret Patterson if either scenario transpires. McKissic remains among this week’s top waiver priorities and is attainable in nearly 50% of all leagues.
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots 6% - Rostered
Stevenson’s involvement within New England's backfield rotation has fluctuated during his rookie season. This included an inauspicious performance in Week 1, a lengthy banishment to Bill Belichick’s doghouse, and four other games in which the 6’0” 225-pound Stevenson has accumulated 134 rushing yards on 34 attempts. That includes his usage in Week 9 when he carried 10 times while producing a team-high 62 yards. He has now collected 10+ rushing attempts during two of his last four games, while his Week 9 yardage total also established a season-high.
Rhamondre Stevenson running with authority 😤 #ForeverNE
📺: #NEvsCAR on CBS
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/9IN9fPbKP9— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
Stevenson still retains the potential to seize a significant role before the season has reached a conclusion, and the prospects of that occurring will rise if he continues to avoid miscues. He could also commandeer a mammoth workload if Damien Harris is sidelined for any reason. However, any decision to seize Stevenson must include the understanding that you could wake up on a Sunday to the news that he is inactive.
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars - 34% Rostered
Even if you are not excited by the possibility of securing Hyde for your roster, you should not dismiss the ongoing role that he has been entrusted with while operating in Jacksonville’s offense. That remains intact even when James Robinson is in the lineup. However, Hyde was elevated into lead back duties for the Jaguars in Week 9, when Robinson was unavailable for Jacksonville’s matchup with Buffalo (ankle).
Hyde was allotted 21 rushing attempts, which is his highest total since Week 15 of 2019. He wasn’t efficient (3.2 yards per attempt), but he did generate 67 yards. Hyde has also accumulated 8+ rushing attempts in four different contests and has collected 11 targets during his last three games. That includes the season-high eight that he collected in Week 8.
Robinson’s status should be monitored as the week progresses. However, Hyde remains a viable roster addition, even if Robinson is active when Jacksonville visits Indianapolis on Sunday. Hyde also supplies an effective insurance policy for anyone with Robinson already contained on their rosters.
In The Running - More Running Backs to Pickup
These are more running backs to pick up for Week 10 and remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Mark Ingram II, New Orleans Saints - 38% Rostered
Ingram has now accumulated 22 touches and produced 116 total yards in two games following his reemergence with New Orleans. That includes his usage and output in Week 9, which was also the Saints’ initial matchup following Jameis Winston’s season-ending ACL injury. The 31-year old back carried nine times and generated 43 rushing yards during New Orleans NFC South matchup with Atlanta, while also collecting all five of his targets versus the Falcons.
The first touch goes for 17 yards and a first down for @markingramII 💪💪💪#TBvsNO | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/jptcoAAdxp
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 31, 2021
Ingram is now entrenched as the backup to Alvin Kamara, who also accrued 104 total yards in Week 9. However, Ingram is operating in an environment that provides a better opportunity for him to accumulate yardage than he experienced while laboring within the constraints of Houston’s overcrowded backfield. This has vaulted Ingram into weekly consideration as a flex option. Ingram is also a viable roster stash for anyone who has Kamara contained on their rosters.
Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots - 6% Rostered
While Stevenson and J.J. Taylor have both been relegated to healthy scratch status during the season, the nine-year veteran has managed to avoid falling out of disfavor. He has also secured a pass-catching role within the Patriots’ backfield rotation, while collecting 24 targets, assembling 22 receptions, and producing 189 receiving yards. That includes his usage and output as a receiving weapon when New England hosted Carolina, as Bolden collected both of his targets, and accrued 27 receiving yards.
HUGE third-down conversion by Brandon Bolden pic.twitter.com/hyPFMzHnpB
— Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) November 7, 2021
He has supplemented those numbers with his workload as a rusher, (22 attempts), which includes the season-high eight carries that he was allotted against the Panthers. Damien Harris will commandeer the majority of rushing attempts, and Stevenson has resurfaced in the backfield rotation during New England's last two matchups. However, Bolden’s ability to avoid miscues should keep him involved as a weekly point producer for fantasy managers. He also remains available in almost 95% of all leagues.
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts - 53% Rostered
From Weeks 4-6, Hines was only played on more snaps than Marlon Mack, as Hines’ status as a viable option for fantasy managers was in decline. Hines was also limited to 10 fewer rushing attempts during that sequence (20/10), gained 44 fewer yards (81/37), and averaged 1.7 targets per game.
Burners & Backflips. That's what @TheNyNy7 does.
📺 FOX/NFLN/Prime pic.twitter.com/pwpJI5h2sP
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 5, 2021
However, Hines attained his highest snap share since Week 3 when Indianapolis hosted the Jets in Week 9 (45%). while also accruing 10 touches and assembling 108 total yards. He also carried six times, while generating a season-high 74 rushing yards and his first touchdown since September. The explosive fourth-year back also captured four of his six targets, while producing 34 yards as a pass-catcher – all of which occurred while Mack was a healthy scratch.
There will be a level of inconsistency to Hines’ output as games with uninspiring numbers will be blended with highly-productive outings. However, his home-run capabilities will keep him involved in the Colts' attack while supplying the incentive to add him. His rostership percentage has dropped below 60%, which elevates him among the most enticing options for anyone who participates in PPR leagues.
Dark Horses - Deeper Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of waiver wire running backs that can be added if you are willing to wait for the possibility of a larger role during the year, or consider your situation to be desperate due to injuries.
Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 32% Rostered
Wilson vaulted into a critical role within the 49ers’ backfield last season, despite the challenge of operating with significant competition for touches. Now, he is positioned to join San Francisco’s backfield rotation once again. Wilson was active for the first time this season, following his extended recovery from knee surgery. He did not enter the field although it is reasonable to expect that Wilson he soon commandeer an ongoing role while sharing opportunities with Elijah Mitchell.
Where there's a Wilson, there's a way.@jeffwilsonjr
📺 @NFLonFOX#SFvsNYG pic.twitter.com/y12rAScEII— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 27, 2020
Wilson led the 49ers in rushing attempts (126/10.5 per game), rushing yardage (600/50 per game), and rushing touchdowns (7) during 2020, while also emerging as a valuable resource for managers during the fantasy postseason. Wilson finished at RB6 in Weeks 15-16, while finishing second among all backs in rushing yardage during that sequence. His 243 yards (121.5 yards per game) also placed him just two yards behind Derrick Henry.
Mitchell has performed proficiently as the primary component in the team’s ground game. However, that should not prevent Wilson from accumulating touches as both a rusher and pass-catcher. He is currently available in 68% of all leagues and is worthy of a roster spot.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions - 47% Rostered
Williams has not been included in this column during the regular season, as he had been rostered in over 60% of all leagues. However, fantasy managers have gradually removed him, which has raised his availability to 53% of all leagues. Williams had averaged 10.1 attempts and 2.6 targets per game from Weeks 1-7. He also performed sufficiently for Football Outsiders to rank him eighth in DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average).
Jamaal That effort 😤@jswaggdaddy 🙌#BALvsDET | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/lb3sEPb3hd
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 26, 2021
The ascension of D’Andre Swift as a pass-catcher had elevated him to the league lead among all backs in targets (57/7.1 per game), receptions (475.9 per game), and receiving yards (415/51.9 per game) prior to Detroit’s bye. Swift has also averaged 11.3 attempts per game while accumulating 289 yards on the ground. However, Williams should remain involved on a weekly basis when he overcomes his thigh issue. He can be added as a potential flex option and would receive an expanded workload if Swift would be sidelined for any reason. This should incentivize anyone who is contending with roster issues to secure Williams this week.
Devonta Freeman, Baltimore Ravens - 20% Rostered
The eight-year veteran has been presented with the opportunity to lead Baltimore in rushing attempts due to Latavius Murray‘s ankle injury, and the extended lack of confidence that has constrained Ty’son Williams’ usage since Week 5 (24% snap share/six attempts/four targets). Those factors have propelled Freeman to 26 carries and 146 rushing yards since Week 6. That includes his usage and output when the Ravens’ hosted Minnesota in Week 9, as Freeman established new season highs in attempts (13) and rushing yards (79) while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Le’Veon Bell carried 11 times and manufactured 48 yards (4.4 per attempt), although he does not perform with enough proficiency to recommend him as a fantasy option. Williams failed to register a touch and is not a threat to siphon Freeman’s opportunities. The timetable for Murray’s return is unclear, although Freeman should be entrusted with a respectable workload even after Murray has reemerged. Freeman’s ascension into Baltimore’s RB1 duties and the myriad of Week 10 lineup challenges have elevated him among your recommended options from this week’s waiver wire.
Time To Say Goodbye - Running Backs To Drop
These are running backs to drop or cut from fantasy rosters in order to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers - 25% Rostered
Sermon was relegated to healthy scratch status during San Francisco’s NFC West matchup with Arizona and has now has failed to touch the ball since Week 5. All of which provides the perfect opportunity to remind fantasy managers that he can safely be dropped in all leagues.
In four games since Elijah Mitchell returned from his shoulder injury, Mitchell has carried 53 times, while generating 323 yards. He has also averaged 14.8 attempts per game throughout the season. Not only has Sermon’s usage evaporated due to Kyle Shanahan’s deployment of Mitchell, but Jeff Wilson Jr. was also activated in Week 9, following his return from injured reserve.
Wilson should attain a role in rotation with Mitchell, while JaMycal Hasty also remains ahead of Sermon on San Francisco's depth chart. All of which has obliterated any remaining chance that Sermon will become involved in the 49ers’ backfield rotation, as Shanahan has made Sermon inconsequential among the 49ers' options. This should eliminate any hesitation in removing Sermon from your rosters.
Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 21% Rostered
Jones will warrant inclusion among this week’s drop recommendations since his rostership percentage remained largely unchanged during the past week. Jones has exceeded six rushing attempts once during Tampa Bay’s first eight games and has failed to surpass five carries in five of those contests. He has also averaged just 24.3 yards on the ground, which is over 45 yards per game less than his average during 2020.
Leonard Fournette is cemented as the Buccaneers’ primary back while averaging 12.6 attempts and 54.9 yards per game. Fournette was also seventh among all backs in rushing yardage (347/69.4 per game) and eighth in rushing attempts (77/15.4 per game) from Weeks 4-8. Jones is also a perpetual non-factor in Tampa Bay’s passing attack, as he has been limited to six targets. This also eliminates the concept of retaining Jones as a handcuff, as Giovani Bernard would siphon targets if Fournette would be sidelined for any reason. Fantasy managers can locate more productive options from the week’s waiver wire.
David Johnson, Houston Texans - 30% Rostered
Houston’s decision to trade Mark Ingram reduced a level of congestion in the Texans’ backfield while appearing to increase the potential for Johnson to become a resource for fantasy managers. However, even though the departure of Ingram provided Johnson with a theoretical pathway toward expanded touches and yardage, Ingram’s exodus has not been beneficial to Johnson during Houston’s last two matchups.
He was limited to just two rushing attempts when Houston faced the Rams in Week 8, while Rex Burkhead (4), Phillip Lindsay (3), and Scottie Phillips (5), all collected more carries. Burkhead (4), and Phillips (3), also captured a combined seven targets, while Johnson was relegated to one. Burkhead (49%) and Phillips (25%), also procured higher snap shares than Johnson (18%).
Lindsay garnered a team-high eight rushing attempts when Houston visited Miami in Week 9, while Johnson was limited to four. Burkhead also remained involved (two attempts) while Phillips encountered a leg injury during his only carry. Johnson remains overlooked in the touch distribution of Houston’s backfield, and should not be in your lineups. That removes any rationale for retaining him on your rosters.
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