Top Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 15: Rashaad Penny, Rhamondre Stevenson, D'Onta Foreman, Jordan Howard

December 14, 2021

Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups before Week 15 of the 2021 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream and stash off waivers.

All fantasy managers are to be commended for rising to the unique challenges that have unfolded during this regular season. The weeks have advanced at a relentless pace and we have now entered the fantasy postseason. Congratulations to those of you who have navigated the numerous obstacles that have emerged since you created your original rosters during your drafts. Your diligence has placed you in a position to capture your leagues’ championships.

If you have secured a place in the postseason, this critical week provides the opportunity for you to focus on constructing lineups that will advance further into the playoffs. It is also highly recommended that you examine all remaining matchups for any backs that you are considering or are currently contained on your rosters. This maximizes your planning process by establishing which backs will be contending with difficult matchups, and which runners have an opportunity to perform against vulnerable defensive units.

Regardless of your reasons for examining the fantasy football waiver wire options, this article will help you locate the best running backs to target. These recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners that are available if you are contending with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be considered droppable in order for you to secure your replacements. Good luck with your matchups.

Week 14 Rushing Leaders

Frontrunners - Running Backs to Pickup in Week 15

These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard. All players have 60% or less ownership in typical fantasy leagues.

Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks - 18% Rostered  

Only Dalvin Cook generated more rushing yards than Penny in Week 14. His statistical explosion has also combined with another uninspiring performance by Alex Collins to elevate Penny among this week’s backs to prioritize on your waiver wire. Penny established career highs in rushing attempts (16) and rushing yards (137) when Seattle traveled to Houston, while he also generated two touchdowns.

Rashaad Penny was GONE 🚀pic.twitter.com/q397vWMa6s

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) December 12, 2021

Penny's encouraging effort unfolded following a season in which he had only exceeded a 20% snap share twice from Weeks 1-12. Multiple injuries (calf/hamstring) contributed to Penny’s limited numbers during that sequence (17 attempts/43 rushing yards/10.8 yards per game), before he temporarily attained season highs in snap share (41%), carries (10), and rushing yardage (35) in Week 13.

Have a day, Rashaad Penny!

137 yards and 2 TDs for the #Seahawks RB. @pennyhendrixx

📺: #SEAvsHOU on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/fRQkp7Q5F9

— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2021

He easily surpassed those numbers while operating as the Seahawks’ primary rusher in Week 14, while Collins only manufactured 16 yards on seven attempts. Penny thrived with his expanded workload, and his promising results have vaulted him among this week's most enticing waiver wire options. He is now positioned to accumulate carries and yardage as Seattle's lead back while functioning as a valuable resource during the fantasy playoffs.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots 56% Rostered

Some fantasy managers have dropped the promising rookie from their rosters during the past week, which has reignited his presence in this column. Stevenson’s season was resuscitated following a sequence in which he was declared inactive four times during a six-week span (Weeks 2-7), and he has emerged as an enticing option to retain among your lineup options.

A holding call on Jonnu Smith just brought back this nice run by Rhamondre Stevenson pic.twitter.com/CobkMYPRdo

— Ben Brown (@BenBrownPL) December 7, 2021

The 6’0”, 230-pound newcomer has run impressively while finishing fourth among all backs in rushing yardage (355/71 per game) from Weeks 9-13 and seventh in attempts (75/15 per game) during those matchups. He also attained a 46% snap share during the Patriots’ last four contests.

That includes Stevenson’s numbers when New England visited Buffalo in Week 13, as he established a new season-high in carries (24) while generating 78 yards. His unrelenting style has elevated him into a rotation with Damien Harris, who encountered a hamstring issue during that matchup with the Bills. Stevenson would vault to the threshold of RB1 status if Harris is unavailable when the Patriots visit Indianapolis on Saturday. Even if Harris returns, Stevenson can still be deployed as an RB2. All of which underscores the need for Stevenson to be rostered in all leagues.

D'Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans - 60% Rostered

The Titans returned from their bye week to host AFC South rival Jacksonville amid divergent opinions surrounding which back would ultimately garner the highest touch total between Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard. Tennessee was firmly in control throughout the matchup, which propelled the 6’1”, 235-pound Foreman into the largest workload. He led the Titans in rushing attempts (13) and rushing yardage (47) and quickly generated a touchdown during the team’s opening drive.

First rushing TD of the season for @D33_foreman 🙌🏽

📺: Watch #JAXvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/KDrUDmRYBR

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 12, 2021

It appeared that Foreman could have been utilized with greater frequency during the contest, as his physical style would have enabled him to accrue additional yardage against the Jaguars. However, he was a spectator during portions of the matchup while Hilliard and Jeremy McNichols combined for 14 carries. Hilliard only manufactured 13 yards with his six attempts, while averaging 2.2 yards per attempt. McNichols was equally inefficient in his return from concussion protocol while assembling just 16 yards on eight carries (2.0 per attempt). 

The touch distribution will be modified based on the weekly game script. However, Foreman has now accumulated 55 attempts and 240 yards since Week 9 and should retain a respectable workload when Tennessee travels to Pittsburgh.

In The Running - More Running Backs to Pickup

These are more running backs to pick up for Week 15. They remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team - 50% Rostered

McKissic’s ongoing recovery from a concussion precluded him from any involvement when Washington hosted Dallas in Week 14. However, that does not diminish his importance within the Football Team’s offense when he is available, nor should it discourage you from securing him if your postseason roster is being constructed in the PPR format.

.@JdMckissic makin' moves for six!

📺 » ESPN | #SEAvsWAS pic.twitter.com/JxMBGFJDxp

— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) November 30, 2021

McKissic has accumulated 53 targets (4.8 per game), 43 receptions (3.9 per game), and 397 receiving yards (36.1 per game) while operating as the Football Team’s primary pass-catching back – even though he has been sidelined during each of Washington’s last two contests.

Antonio Gibson has accumulated 216 rushing attempts and 836 yards on the ground and remains the Football Team’s primary back. However, McKissic has also averaged 4.4 attempts per game, while he supplemented his output as a pass-catcher with 212 rushing yards on 48 attempts.

McKissic should return for this week’s matchup with divisional rival Philadelphia and will regain his vital role within Washington’s attack when that occurs. That should provide you with the incentive to seize him for your rosters if you are participating in a PPR league.

Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles - 7% Rostered  

Philadelphia’s ever-evolving backfield rotation can initially appear to be convoluted due to a combination of injuries, and the continuing presence of three backs who have shared touches with Miles Sanders. However, Howard’s role has been largely consistent since he was infused into the equation.

Jordan Howard TOUCHDOWN 😤

What a half for the #Eagles 👏#FlyEaglesFly

pic.twitter.com/B43j38U571

— TWSN (@TWSN___) October 31, 2021

Howard accumulated 274 yards (68.5 per game) and three touchdowns on 51 attempts (12.8 per game) from Weeks 8-11, while his carries ranged between 10-17 during those four matchups. He also placed sixth overall in yardage and 12th in attempts during that sequence, before a knee issue sidelined him in Weeks 12-13.

Sanders has been contending with a problematic ankle, which increases the likelihood that he will share the rushing workload when the Eagles host Washington on Sunday. That elevates Howard among this week’s waiver priorities, as he appears primed to return from injured reserve following his two-game absence.

Nick Sirianni has demonstrated his confidence in Howard, which should propel him to favorable numbers versus the Football Team – providing that he reemerges as expected. If Howard ultimately does not resurface on Sunday, then Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell would suddenly rise among your viable options.

Ameer Abdullah, Carolina Panthers - 11% Rostered

The Panthers unveiled their reconstructed offense in Week 14, as Carolina was operating in their first matchup after Christian McCaffrey’s latest injury. It was also the Panthers’ initial game after the firing of offensive coordinator Joe Brady, as Jeff Nixon made his debut calling plays.

Abdullah and Chuba Hubbard unsurprisingly shared the workload, with Hubbard capturing the majority of rushing attempts (10) and rushing yards (33). Abdullah carried four times while assembling 16 rushing yards, but he also confiscated all targets that were distributed to the Panthers’ backfield (four). This sustained the pass-catching role that Abdullah ascended to in Week 8 and maintained while McCaffrey was in the lineup.

Abdullah has now captured 24 targets, 15 receptions, and 129 receiving yards during Carolina’s last six contests, while Hubbard has only been targeted once since Week 10. The Panthers will contend with Buffalo and Tampa Bay during their next two matchups, and it is reasonable to project game scripts that will include a reliance on Abdullah’s receiving capabilities. He is also available in nearly 90% of all leagues and can be utilized as a flex if you participate in the PPR format.

Dark Horses - Deeper Waiver Wire Running Backs

This group consists of waiver wire running backs that can be added if you are contending with injuries and other roster challenges.

Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions - 1% Rostered 

Reynolds played collegiately at Kutztown and was signed as an undrafted free agent by Washington in 2019. He only performed on three offensive snaps during his tenure with the Football Team, Jacksonville, and Detroit, before he burst onto the fantasy landscape in Week 14.

His teammates Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike had emerged on a growing number of rosters entering Detroit’s matchup in Denver due to the combination of D’Andre Swift’s shoulder injury and Jamaal Williams’ placement on the reserve/COVID list. However, Reynolds leapfrogged Jefferson and Igwebuike, seized the largest workload, and generated the highest yardage total versus the Broncos.

.@13_CJR got us going on that last drive 🔥#DETvsDEN | : FOX pic.twitter.com/YVbioDmuaN

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 12, 2021

Reynolds led the Lions in attempts (11) and rushing yardage (83), while also collecting both of his targets and producing 16 yards as a receiver. Igwebuike manufactured 25 yards on eight attempts, while Jefferson did not register a snap. The status of Swift and Williams will be updated as the Lions’ Week 15 matchup with Arizona approaches (during which they should be monitored). However, Reynolds performed effectively during their absence and should maintain a sizable role within Detroit’s backfield rotation if Swift and Williams are unavailable on Sunday.

D'Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns - 11% Rostered

Johnson has been included among the roster additions in this column on multiple occasions, along with consistent suggestions that fantasy managers should avoid dropping him if possible. All of which was based on the combination of his proven ability to perform effectively and the fantasy scoring that would ensue if his workload would expand for any reason.

That situation developed once again when Cleveland hosted Baltimore in Week 14, as Kareem Hunt was forced to depart with an ankle injury. Johnson generated 29 total yards on five touches, including 22 yards on the ground.

Tonight, America meets D’Ernest Johnson. He’s the third string running back on your Cleveland Browns. pic.twitter.com/UXCGxIDGs7

— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) October 22, 2021

Johnson has performed proficiently with substantial workloads during two matchups in which Nick Chubb and Hunt were impacted by health issues. Johnson exploded for 168 total yards with his 24 touches in Week 7, when Chubb and Hunt were dealing with calf injuries. He also stockpiled 157 total yards on 26 touches in Week 10 when Chubb (reserve/COVID) and Hunt (calf) were absent.

Hunt’s status should be monitored, but Johnson is a viable roster addition for savvy fantasy managers even if Hunt can resurface for Sunday’s matchup with Las Vegas. He remains capable of accumulating sizable yardage whenever he is in the lineup.

Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals - 19% Rostered

Perine had not engendered much discussion in recent weeks. However, that changed when Joe Mixon’s illness supplied the reminder that Perine remains a valuable insurance policy for anyone who depends on Mixon as their weekly starter.

Perine has already been the recipient of expanded workloads in multiple matchups this season and has also demonstrated his ability to perform effectively whenever that situation develops. He accumulated 15 touches and 83 total yards in Week 5 due to Mixon’s ankle issue, and also assembled 75 total yards on 12 touches in Week 7, during Cincinnati’s blowout win at Baltimore.

Perine has also produced 74 total yards during the team’s last two outings, including the 43 that he accrued with his eight touches against San Francisco in Week 14.  

The Bengals will travel to Denver, then host the Ravens during their next two matchups, and Perine would become a valuable resource if Mixon would become unavailable for any reason. This supplies your motivation to secure Perine if Mixon is an integral component of your roster.

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 postseason scoring.

Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks - 29% Rostered

Collins returned to Seattle’s lineup in Week 14 following a one-game absence (abdomen), and his remaining value was promptly eviscerated as Penny seized Seattle’s RB1 responsibilities. Penny’s exceptional outing in Houston was constructed while Collins was in the process of manufacturing 16 rushing yards with his seven attempts, while his only reception registered one yard.

Collins had not demonstrated any tangible reason for you to believe that he could justify being placed in your starting lineup even before Penny’s Week 14 performance. Only 14 backs were entrusted with more carries from Weeks 5-11 (81), but Collins consistently failed to deliver favorable yardage totals during that sequence. He only accumulated 304 yards during those matchups (50.7 per game) while exceeding 47 yards just once during that span.

He has now been catapulted by Penny on Seattle’s depth chart, and his underwhelming production throughout the season diminishes any optimism that he could operate effectively as a handcuff. That should incentivize fantasy managers to locate with another back with greater potential to become a resource during the playoffs.

Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills - 43% Rostered 

The ongoing touch distribution between Buffalo’s trio of backs has automatically constrained the output that any member of the backfield can deliver on a consistent basis.  We have also reached a point in the year in which that debilitating factor can produce significant ramifications if any of these backs are placed into your lineup.

However, Moss will be the focus of this recommendation, after he became a healthy scratch in Week 14 - which was the second time that has occurred in Buffalo’s last three matchups. Devin Singletary assembled 89 total yards on 10 touches when Buffalo traveled to Tampa, while Matt Breida carried three times, manufactured 12 yards, and failed to catch his only target.

Moss carried eight times during unfavorable weather conditions when Buffalo hosted New England in Week 13, but he has only been entrusted with 13 additional rushing attempts since Week 9. Moss has also averaged a minuscule 14.8 rushing yards and 7.5 receiving yards during his last four matchups.

Moss remains rostered in 43% of all leagues. If this includes your team, there is no justification for keeping him as you reshape your roster for the postseason.

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts - 50% Rostered

If you are retaining Hines on your roster, he is not receiving enough opportunities to warrant starting him. He is averaging 3.9 attempts per game through Week 14, which is nearly two carries per game fewer than his average during 2020 (5.6). His carries have also decreased even further since Week 10, as he has only averaged 2.5 per game. That compressed workload has also limited him to 20.1 yards per game from Weeks 1-14.

His targets have also declined to 3.6 per game, which has also diminished from last year’s average (4.8). Hines had finished third among all backs in targets (76), receptions (63), and receiving yards (482) in 2020, but last season’s averages (3.9 receptions/30.1 yards per game) have also degenerated to 2.5/20.2. Hines also generated four touchdowns as a pass-catcher in 2020 but has failed to produce a receiving touchdown this season.

It is difficult to envision his workload increasing unless Jonathan Taylor is sidelined during the Colts’ upcoming matchups. That does justify keeping him rostered if you also have Taylor contained on your roster. However, there are other backs who will garner more chances to accrue fantasy points.

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice