Top Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 16: Ronald Jones, Justin Jackson, Craig Reynolds, Duke Johnson

December 22, 2021

Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups before Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream and stash off waivers.

We have now progressed into planning for the second week of fantasy postseason matchups, even though two Week 15 contests will be completed on Tuesday night. Congratulations to all of you who successfully navigated the numerous obstacles of this unique season. You have maintained your highest level of flexibility while persevering through injuries to critical players, disappointing performances, and COVID-related absences. Now this diligence has placed you on a pathway toward your league's championship.

This critical week provides the opportunity for you to focus on constructing lineups that will advance through the remainder of the playoffs. It is highly recommended that you examine all remaining matchups in both Weeks 16 and 17 for any backs that you are considering or are currently contained on your rosters. This maximizes your planning process by establishing which backs will encounter difficult matchups, and which runners have an opportunity to perform against vulnerable defensive units.

This article will help you with the difficult decisions that await you by locating the best running backs to target on your waiver wire. 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 to all of you in your Week 16 matchups.

Week 15 Rushing Leaders

Frontrunners - Running Backs to Pickup in Week 16

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.

Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 35% Rostered
Jones was included among the drop candidates in this column earlier this season. This was partially a byproduct of the concern that Jones would lose touches to Giovani Bernard within a debilitating committee if Leonard Fournette would be unavailable at any point during the season.

However, Bernard’s hip issue resulted in his placement on injured reserve, which had already repositioned the feasibility of adding Jones to your roster before the Buccaneers’ Week 15 matchup with New Orleans. Now, he has become a premiere roster addition, as he will operate as Tampa Bay’s lead back while Fournette’s hamstring injury keeps him affixed to the sideline.

Ronald Jones in 4 games Leonard Fournette missed last season:

26 touches, 128 yards
20 touches, 125 yards
25 touches, 121 yards, 2 TD
19 touches, 84 yards, 1 TD

That does not include his 198-yard game vs. CAR in Week 10 (Fournette played 29 snaps)

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) December 20, 2021

Jones still cannot match Fournette’s proficiency as a blocker or pass-catcher. However, he remains fully capable of delivering favorable yardage totals on the ground. This was displayed against the Saints as Jones assembled 63 yards on eight attempts - which were fueled by his 30-yard burst in the third quarter.

The Buccaneers will visit yet another divisional rival this week when they travel to Carolina. Jones should also be the recipient of a dream matchup versus the Jets in Week 17 and has vaulted atop this week’s list of backs to seize from your waiver wire.

Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers - 6% Rostered  

LAC starts their 3rd drive, Justin Jackson 15-yd rush#Chiefs 10 #Chargers 0 Q2 pic.twitter.com/QUoNhKKbEM

— Sports 24/7 (@Sports24x7_) December 17, 2021

Austin Ekeler entered Week 16 at RB2, has accumulated 1,347 total yards, and remains cemented as an integral resource for anyone who can still fulfill their championship aspirations. However, his potential placement on the reserve/COVID list has placed his status in doubt for the Chargers’ Week 16 matchup in Houston.

Jackson should function as the primary back in LA’s reshaped backfield rotation if Ekeler is unavailable. He would share opportunities with Joshua Kelley. However,  Jackson has emerged as the preferred roster option, after accruing 239 yards with his 42 carries during the season (5.7 yards per attempt). Kelly has manufactured 95 yards on 28 carries (3.4 yards per game).

Jackson also performed impressively in Week 15, when he attained a 54% snap share while establishing new season highs in carries (13) and rushing yardage (86/6.6 per attempt). Kelley was limited to a 16% snap share while manufacturing 21 yards with his three attempts. He also lost an indefensible fumble near the goal-line that will be difficult to extract from the collective short-term memory of the Chargers’ offensive decision-makers.

ANOTHER goal line stop for the @Chiefs! #ChiefsKingdom

📺: #KCvsLAC on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/yEB6Ii5nMh pic.twitter.com/g2cNu0ZkLQ

— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2021

Jackson should also benefit significantly from his enticing matchup, as the Texans have surrendered the league-high 145 yards per game on the ground. This elevates him among this week’s front-runners to target on your waiver wire.

Craig Reynolds, Detroit Lions - 13% Rostered 

Reynolds skyrocketed onto the fantasy landscape during Detroit’s Week 14 matchup in Denver, by commandeering the Lions’ RB1 responsibilities versus the Broncos (11 carries/83 yards/7.5 per attempt). His role was sustained for a second consecutive week when the Lions hosted Arizona in Week 15, and the undrafted free agent has performed proficiently with his opportunities.

CRAIG REYNOLDS IS AN ANIMAL 😤 #OnePride

pic.twitter.com/8FnJQuVg95

— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) December 19, 2021

The combined absence of D’Andre Swift (shoulder), and Jamaal Williams (reserve/COVID) has removed the Lions’ top two backs from the rotation during each of the team’s last two contests while creating a pathway for another back to seize an expanded workload.

Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike had been popular roster additions when news emerged surrounding the status of Swift and Williams. However, Reynolds has leapfrogged Jefferson and Igwebuike to lead Detroit in rushing attempts (37) and rushing yardage (195/5.3 per attempt) during that two-game sequence. That includes the 112 yards that he generated on 26 carries against the Cardinals.

The health of Swift and Williams should be monitored as the week progresses, but Reynolds has demonstrated his ability to assemble yardage when he is provided with the opportunity. That places him among this week’s primary targets on the waiver wire.

In The Running - More Running Backs to Pickup

These are more running backs to pick up for Week 16. They remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.

Duke Johnson, Miami Dolphins - 2% Rostered

The unsettled state of Miami’s backfield provided Johnson with an opportunity to garner a sizable workload during the Dolphins’ AFC East matchup with the Jets, and his performance should result in a sizable role during the team’s remaining contests.

YESSIR, @DukeJohnson_8! 😤

📺: Watch #NYJvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/kihpijraHb

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 19, 2021

Johnson had been promoted from Miami’s practice squad on November 20 but had only accrued four touches prior to Week 15. However, he accumulated a career-best 22 attempts, established a career-high in rushing yardage (107), and scored multiple rushing touchdowns (2) for the first time in his seven-year career. He also generated 20 yards with his one reception.

Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed had both activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, although Johnson was entrusted with the largest workload versus New York. Gaskin produced 54 rushing yards on 10 attempts and failed to register a target, while Ahmed did not receive a touch.

It would be reasonable to expect Gaskin’s involvement to increase when the Dolphins travel to New Orleans in Week 16. However, it is unlikely that Johnson’s performance will be ignored by Miami’s offensive decision-makers, and it should not be dismissed by anyone who is searching for an additional flex option.

Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 55% Rostered

Wilson was a recommended roster in this column as the end of his protracted recovery from knee surgery became imminent. However, the fourth-year back did not initially display the same proficiency that had been evident last season, when he finished eighth among all backs in rushing yards from Weeks 12-17 (437/72.8 per game) and was also ninth in rushing attempts (88/14.7 per game).

Wilson only averaged 2.7 yards per attempt in Weeks 10-12 (31 attempts/83 yards). However, he has now averaged 4.75 per attempt in Weeks 14-15 (37 attempts/166 yards). Wilson also generated 110 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

Wilson has been operating as San Francisco’s lead rusher while Elijah Mitchell has been sidelined by multiple injuries finger/knee/ concussion) in Weeks 11,14 and 15. Mitchell will recapture the 49ers’ RB1 responsibilities whenever he resurfaces which will diminish Wilson’s recent workload whenever that transpires. However, that might not occur during San Francisco’s matchup with Tennessee on Thursday Night as Mitchell is still contending with his knee issue. Wilson can still be deployed as an RB2 until Mitchell has reemerged, which supplies the rationale for adding him to your roster.

Ameer Abdullah, Carolina Panthers - 9% Rostered

Abdullah continues to operate in a rotation with Chuba Hubbard while accumulating enough usage to warrant consideration if you are participating in the PPR format.

Cam to Ameer Abdullah brings the @Panthers within 10. #KeepPounding

📺: #CARvsBUF on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/fnpkQ6BkPs

— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2021

Abdullah has now collected 28 targets (4.0 per game), 19 receptions (3.2.per game), and 177 receiving yards (29.5 per game) since Week 8. That includes his involvement as a pass-catcher when Carolina visited Buffalo in Week 15, as Abdullah captured all four of his targets, and produced a team-high 48 yards against the Bills.

Abdullah has also collected six of his eight targets while amassing 65 receiving yards during the two-game sequence following Christian McCaffrey’s season-ending ankle injury, and the transition from Joe Brady to Jeff Nixon as Carolina’s play-caller. He also accrued four rushing attempts against the Bills, while Hubbard carried eight times, and assembled 40 rushing yards. Hubbard was also limited to just one target and has only been targeted twice since Week 10.

Abdullah’s role has been more consistent than many of the other backs who are currently attainable on the waiver wire. His usage as Carolina’s receiving back should also be sustained through the Panthers’ remaining matchups. That should incentivize you to secure him this week if you are searching for a flex option in your PPR league.

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.

Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles - 9% Rostered 

Miles Sanders appears primed to resume his customary role as Philadelphia’s lead back when the Eagles host Washington. However, Howard is expected to return following his two-game absence (knee) and should promptly regain his previous rushing responsibilities in a rotation with Sanders.

Howard had averaged 12.8 attempts per game from Weeks 8-11 and capitalized by finishing sixth among all backs in rushing yards during that sequence (274/68.5 per game). Howard also averaged 5.4 yards per attempt and produced three touchdowns.

Ground and pound FTW#LACvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/xpwVGeZnXG

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 7, 2021

Boston Scott carried 39 times (9.8 per game), and produced 197 yards on the ground (49.3 per game) from Weeks 8-11, while Kenny Gainwell was limited to 17 attempts (5.7 per game) and just 35 yards (11.7 per game) during that three-game sequence.

Howard was sidelined during Philadelphia’s matchups in Weeks 12-13 but should recapture his place on the depth chart ahead of Scott and Gainwell while attaining a sizable workload against the Football Team. He should also sustain his role when the Eagles host the Giants (Week 16), and during Philadelphia’s visit to Washington (Week 17).

Mark Ingram II, New Orleans Saints - 50% Rostered

New Orleans traded for Ingram in late October and he promptly accrued 52 total yards with his eight touches during his return to the Saints in Week 8. He also accumulated 64 total yards on 14 touches in Week 9, then generated 135 rushing yards on 30 attempts in Weeks 10-11 - while Alvin Kamara was sidelined by his troublesome knee.

Ingram was unavailable during the Saints’ Week 14 matchup with the Jets due to his own knee issue, then was also placed on the reserve/COVID list on December 8. However, he was activated from the list prior to the Saints’ Week 15 matchup at Tampa Bay.

Ingram was limited to 10 rushing yards on nine attempts, versus a Buccaneer run defense that entered the contest allowing 91.2 yards per game. Kamara also manufactured just 18 yards on 11 carries during the same matchup. Miami’s eighth-ranked run defense now looms as the Saints’ Week 16 opponent. However, that should not dissuade you from targeting Ingram if you need to locate a flex option.

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.

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts - 51% Rostered

Hines generated a receiving touchdown during the Colts’ Week 15 matchup with New England. However, it was just this first score as a pass-catcher this season, while it also occurred on the only touch that he registered during the matchup. He has now carried 51 times (3.9 per game) while averaging only 20.1 yards per game. He has also averaged just 2.5 attempts and 17.5 yards per game since Week 10 and has failed to surpass 34 yards in 13 of his 14 games.

Hines is also just one year removed from finishing third among all backs in targets (79/4.6 per game), receptions (63/3.9 per game), and receiving yards (482/30.1). However, his current numbers in each category have dropped to 49 targets (3.5 per game), 33 receptions (2.4 per game), and 270 yards (19.3 yards per game). He is not accumulating enough touches to justify starting him, and that would only change if Jonathan Taylor would become unavailable for any reason. That should compel you to locate another back who is better positioned to bolster your scoring.

Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks - 24% Rostered 

This will serve as a final reminder that Collins is not a tangible resource during your fantasy playoffs. His value had descended significantly even before he was placed on the reserve/COVID list, as he has been usurped by Rashaad Penny as Seattle’s lead back. Collins’ ineffectiveness also eviscerates any confidence that he could capitalize if another expanded workload would suddenly emerge.

The neck injury that was incurred by Chris Carson opened a cavernous path for Collins to accumulate carries as the Seahawks’ lead rusher from Weeks 5-11. He was 15th overall in rushing attempts during that sequence (81/13.5 per game) but only finished 22nd in rushing yards despite his favorable workload (304/50.7 per game). Collins did eclipse 100 yards in Week 6 (101), but only averaged 40.6 yards per game during the five remaining matchups.

Collins has also failed to exceed 16 yards on the ground during his last two games (14/16), while Penny thrived when he confiscated responsibilities as Seattle’s RB1 in Week 14 (16+ carries/137 yards/8.6 yards per attempt/2 touchdowns). Collins’ current absence, has combined with his inefficiency, and his descending status on the Seahawks’ depth chart to eliminate any reason for you to retain him on your roster.

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans - 81% Rostered   

If you selected Henry, you benefitted from his exceptional production from Weeks 1-8. He had stockpiled a league-best 937 yards (117.1 per game) and 10 touchdowns, while also accumulating  82 more rushing attempts than any other back during that span. He was also averaging over 24 points per game before his foot injury abruptly circumvented what has been an extremely proficient season.

His absence has provided a mammoth challenge if you were required to suddenly adjust your roster while persevering without him. If you are preparing for a matchup this week, then you should be commended for maneuvering through the challenge of advancing without his massive weekly production.

However, you should have also removed him from your roster long ago, as he will not be available as an option during your remaining postseason matchups. If you are still retaining Henry, the opportunity remains for you to end the inefficient use of a valuable roster spot, while securing one of the backs that has been examined in this week’s column. This also applies if you are among the managers in 43% of all leagues who have continued to roster Christian McCaffrey.

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