Week 13 Running Backs: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

November 24, 2014

Rek analyzes Week 13 fantasy football running backs (RB) - waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers for both PPR and non-PPR leagues. NFL running backs are a key component.

I'm glad to see we are 13 weeks in and you guys are finally listening to me. What do I mean by that? Well, running backs that I have recommended in this article multiple times are finally seeing their ownership levels spike. Those examples include Tre Mason (58% owned on Fleaflicker), Terrance Crowell (50% owned on Fleaflicker), Terrance West (67% owned on Fleaflicker), and Alfred Blue (51% owned on Fleaflicker).

To be honest with you, based on what these players have been doing those ownership totals are still pretty low. Mason and Crowell should be owned in all leagues, and the other two running backs are worth owning for those of you in deeper leagues. If they're still available on your Week 13 waiver wires, go ahead and add them.

Now let's take a look at some running backs who have not quite crossed that 50% ownership threshold yet, guys who can be sleepers for PPR and standard leagues, and should be available on your Week 13 waiver wire.

Special Treat: We've heard your requests for more position specific live advice, so at the bottom of this post you'll find our week 13 running backs waiver wire chat room, where you can discuss the players in this article and other possible running back waiver wire additions. 

Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB) - Week 13

Latavius Murray (RB, OAK) - 28% owned on Fleaflicker

Obviously Latavius was going to top this list. In case you weren't aware, the Raiders are not a good team this year. A huge part of their struggles has been their run game not offering much in the way of dynamic play makers. Sure, Darren McFadden has been alright in PPR but he's not going to break off a huge run for your team anytime soon.

Nope, that's the job of Latavius Murrary. The 223 pound, 6'2" 6th round pick in the 2013 draft back is finally seeing action with the Raiders, and it's about time. This guy is incredibly athletic as evidenced by being in the 91st percentile among running backs for the 40 yard dash. Still not convinced? He also ranks in the 71st percentile for his vertical jump. This is a special athlete we are talking about.

There is some bad news for Murray, as he suffered a concussion in Thursday's game. But assuming he can pass the NFL protocol, he should be the top of your running backs waiver wire wishlist. Not that I feel that it really needs to be said, since he is coming off a 112 yard 2 touchdown game on only 4 touches. If Murray is cleared, expect the Raiders to lean on him since they really need to look towards the future at this point. Running backs with 3 names are so last year (looking at you DMC and MJD). Now it's all about guys named Murray, and Latavius just happens to be one of them.

LeGarrette Blount (RB,NE) - 40% owned on Fleaflicker

Remember when Jonas Gray was the "Goat" (Greatest Of All Time, for those that don't know the acronym)? Remember when he rushed for 250+ yards and 4 touchdowns last week? Well, maybe he let it get to his head a bit. You see, he was late to a practice this past week and Bill Belichick doesn't take that stuff lightly.

I'm not trying to say that Blount was signed solely to spite Gray, but the timing seems to work out pretty well. However, it would be a discredit to how much the Pats like Blount to say that was the only reason, After all, he did rush for 7 touchdowns with the team last season.

So what did Blount do after getting heated about his playing time with the Steelers? He rushed 12 times for 78 yards, or 6.5 yards per carry, and two touchdowns for the Patriots. By the way, he did this against the Mighty Lions - otherwise known as the team everyone is scared to run against.

Don't go all out on getting Blount though. I've said it before and I'll say it again--  it's a roller coaster ride owning the Pats' running backs, and you don't necessarily want to find yourself on it. He's worth a flier if you have the room, but don't go thinking that this week will represent an everyday performance for him. That said, the Packers are next on the schedule and have a run defense that is pretty easy to take advantage of. Roll with Blount if you need him in deeper leagues.

Dan Herron (RB, IND) - 13% owned on Fleaflicker

The story line we are being fed by the Colts right now is that Dan "Boom" Herron only got the start over Trent Richardson because Trent Richardson was sick. If you believe that, I have a unicorn I'd like to sell you. Herron clearly got the start because the Colts don't trust Richardson as the lead back, and it showed during Sunday's game.

Boom only had 4 more touches than T-Rich, but 54 more yards. He also has the better nickname clearly. Sure, Trent Richardson had the rushing touchdown for the team, but who do the think the team is going to look to for more rushing opportunities? The guy who had 5.4 yards per carry, or the guy who had 3.2? My bet is on the former, and that would be Herron.

Just to be clear, Herron has been in the league for two years now and hasn't amounted to much. Athletically there's not a ton special about him, except that he has a balanced score in the 82nd percentile for running backs. However, I do think that he may be a guy who just needed a full time opportunity to really prove himself.  I love Ahmad Bradshaw personally, so I really hated to see him go down, but I'm very interested to see what Herron does with this new found opportunity. You should be too.

Theo Riddick (RB,DET) - 14% owned on Fleaflicker

I guess patting myself on the back was a little premature. After all, I've recommended that you guys pick up Theo Riddick multiple times in this column and yet he's still only 14% owned. In comparison, Reggie Bush who only has 11.7 total ppr points since Week 6 is still 75% owned. I don't know how to make this any more clear, since I've written about it here and in my Warning Signs article-- Reggie Bush is no longer worth owning. He's just not. The Lions' rushing attack has not been great, and old running backs who are banged up will not help you win a championship.

But I digress, back to Riddick. Over the same time span that I mentioned for Bush, Riddick has 63.3 points in PPR formats including a 19 point game and a 21 point game. In fact, his worst point total in that span was 5.6 points. His point totals are inflated by PPR formats, since most of his points come from being a pass catching back. But that's the same deal you were used to with Bush.

Granted, those of you in standard formats can stay safely away from Riddick on the Week 13 waiver wire. But, I think I just laid out a reasonable argument for those in PPR formats (which I believe is many of you) to ditch Bush for him. Riddick is a very serviceable RB2/FLEX option in PPR leagues, and it's about time you all realized that. Do me a favor and get his ownership numbers up before I feel like I'm talking to a wall, alright?

Conclusion

That's all I got for this week folks. If you don't own Tre Mason, Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, or Alfred Blue, and they are available, go pick them up. These other guys who are commonly available are also worth a shot in deeper leagues. I'd also like to take this time to congratulate those of you RotoBallers that have locked up playoff spots at this point. Great job, and I hope my weekly running backs article has helped in getting you there!

Happy Thanksgiving, and see you all next week.

-Rek

Week 13 Running Backs Live Chat

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