RADIO
I was on vacation last week, but you survived with Evan Okulanis's great stand-in piece on the best waiver wire running backs for week 9. Not to fear though! I have returned in week 10 to bring you my weekly list of running back sleepers as well as a weekly dose of bad jokes. It's pretty late in the season but let's see what we can dig up that might still be available on your waiver wire for week 10 and beyond shall we?
Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB) - Week 10
Bobby Rainey (RB, TB) - 58% Owned on Fleaflicker
Much to the delight of fantasy managers and probably the Buccaneers, Doug Martin found himself inactive for this game. Coincidentally, the very young exciting rookie back who has drawn comparisons to Matt Forte named Charles Sims was supposed to come off the IR and dominate the league. Unfortunately for those speculating on Sims,the Bucs didn't quite trust giving the duty of starting over to someone who has never even had a touch in the NFL.
So who would come to save the day for owners like myself who were in bye week and injury hell? None other than Bobby Rainey who has been featured in this article many times before. The Rain Man brought the thunder against the Browns (told you the bad jokes were back!) to the tune of 19 rushes for 87 yards. Just for good measure he also added a reception for 34 yards. Not a bad day for the 5'8 212 undrafted back.
In fact, the Bucs reluctance to go to Rainey sooner is a little hard to comprehend given his 4.6 yards per carry over 62 attempts prior to this game. I think it's safe to say that Doug Martin can be safely dropped in 10 or 12 team redraft leagues. However, don't go all in on Rainey. I do expect Sims to get his share of the carries, and the Bucs just simply aren't a good enough team to see both players excel.
Chris Johnson (RB, NYJ) - 66% Owned on Fleaflicker
Chris Ivory had run pretty well lately giving Jets fans at least something to be cheerful about this season. So what did Rex Ryan do today? He decided to give up on Ivory pretty quickly, and instead go to Chris "formerly of the 2k club" Johnson against the Chiefs tough run defense.
Based on the way Johnson had run all season I expected this to be a disaster. Instead, Johnson rushed 11 times for 69 yards and caught 2 passes for 32 yards on top of that. Maybe Chris Johnson felt he had something to prove after I cut him in my super deep dynasty league, or maybe the matchup just played in his favor. Whatever the case, this was his first 100 all purpose yard game of the season.
I still can't bring myself to highly recommend him because Ivory is clearly the better back. However, if you're in a league of 14 teams or deeper, you could do worse than taking a flyer on Chris Johnson. It also doesn't hurt to remember that Johnson has a history of doing better in the 2nd half of the season. Maybe he can replicate that magic but I'm not going to be the one to take that bet.
Matt Asiata (RB, MIN) - 39% Owned on Fleaflicker
Jerick Mckninnon owners take a bow. You guys deserve it. You just continually get snubbed week after week. Who was the culprit this week? None other than Matt " I can't believe he has 3 touchdowns in two separate games this season" Asiata.
Now don't go rushing to add Asiata after this performance as I expect many of you will. Just remember that the most all purpose yards he totaled before this in the past 3 weeks was 37. He's simply not a good football player.
However, he did show the ability to rush decently against the Falcons and Packers. He's also a bigger back than Mckinnon, and might get some more vulture opportunities in the near future. Don't go chasing Asiata off a cliff Wile E. Coyote style, but if you need running back bench depth in 14 team leagues or deeper you could do worse than Asiata.
Tre Mason (RB, STL) - 46% Owned on Fleaflicker
I know. I know. He disappointed after I recommended him heading into week 8 by responding with only 33 yards. So why should you trust me about Tre Mason this time?
Well, he just rushed 19 times for 65 yards. You may think that a 3.4 yards per carry isn't that great, and it's not, but if you're still contending at this point in the season you'll take what you can get. Did I mention that came against the Niners? They're not exactly known as slouches when it comes to their run defense.
The Rams have been talking about going with a running back by committee approach with Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham, and Tre Mason but this game suggests they've realized how silly that is. They are grabbing their future by the horns and giving the opportunity to the most talented back they have available. Mason ranks in the 94th percentile for his quickness and balance. He also ranks in the 71st percentile for his 40 yard dash. Only Stacy comes close to him in quickness, but we've all seen how effective Stacy has been this season.
Pick up Tre Mason where available. I believe he can be a solid RB2 in deeper leagues, and a good bye week fill in for those in shallower leagues. Just to bring things full circle if I was the Doug Martin owner I'd be completely comfortable dropping him for Tre Mason.
Waiver Wire Running Backs to Avoid
Damien Williams / Daniel Thomas (RB, MIA) - 1% / 5% owned on Fleaflicker
Lamar Miller injured his shoulder in the second half of this game and couldn't return. The early reports are that he'll be able to suit up for his tough matchup against the Lions. However, if he can't these are the two names to watch.
Damien Williams has more athleticism than Thomas as evidenced by his 40 yard dash time being in the 87th percentile but Thomas has more experience with the Dolphins system. I'd expect these two players to split carries making neither particularly effective if Miller to were miss time. Who knows though with the way Ryan Tannehill is throwing it's possible that he would just say "running backs? psh who needs them" and put the team on his shoulders.
Regardless, keep an eye on this situation if you are really desperate. I say that because again, they are facing the Lions run defense this upcoming week and you should stay away from these guys unless you're so backed into a corner they're your only option. Even then, I might rather take the zero than see the massacre that would ensue if either of them draws the start this week. Feel free to take a chance that I just jinxed myself and both players will have huge games if Lamar Miller is absent, but it'll be a longshot.
Honorable Mentions & Other Running Back Pickups
- Roy Helu (RB,WAS) - 35% owned on Fleaflicker
- Robert Turbin (RB, SEA) - 26% owned on Fleaflicker
- Chris Polk (RB, PHI) - 3% owned on Fleaflicker
- Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) - 58% owned on Fleaflicker
