Week 14 (Playoffs) Waiver Wire Pickups: Running Backs (RBs)

Week 14 will mark the start of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. As we look towards Week 14 and the playoffs run, it is important for us to have a team that is solid from top to bottom and we are more than set at the running back (RB) position. If there are still running backs available on your league's waiver wire that are viable fantasy plays, this is the time to scoop them up as a bench stash in case they have a favorable matchup approaching or one of your other RBs gets injured. We can never have too much RB depth on our teams:

Waiver Wire Pickups – Running Backs for Week 14 

Montee Ball - RB, Denver Broncos - 57% owned in Yahoo leagues

This Week: 117 rushing yards, 1 receptions - 13.10 points (PPR leagues)
Analysis: Ball continues to get work in the backfield for Denver, as he continues to function as the clear-cut backup to Knowshon Mareno. Ball had some fumbling issues earlier in the season, and the past few weeks, but that seems to be behind him now as he is running effectively for the Broncos. Although Ball is already 57% owned going into the playoffs, he should be added across every league and all formats as he will continue to produce for fantasy owners in Week 14 and the playoffs. The Broncos have the best offense in football, run the ball a lot, and have plenty of scoring chances especially in games where they are ahead. Pickup Ball immediately off the waiver wire in Week 14 if he's still available in your league.

Donald Brown - RB, Indianapolis Colts - 44% owned in Yahoo leagues

This Week: 54 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 1 touchdown - 14.40 points (PPR leagues)
Analysis: Brown continues to be the best running back on the Indianapolis Colts, and continues to display more than Trent Richardson on a week-to-week basis. The Colts coaches were frustratingly still giving Richardson carries and splitting time with Brown over the past few weeks, but that may have changed for good this week. Brown received the bulk of the playing time as the lead running back for the Colts, and had significantly more snaps and touches than Richardson. He responded with another solid game for fantasy owners, racking up 14.40 points in PPR leagues, and will be the featured RB for the Colts down the fantasy stretch and into the playoffs.  If Brown is still available on your fantasy waiver wire, pick him up as a solid running back option for Week 14 and the playoffs, and consider him a weekly FLEX option going forward.

Willis McGahee - RB, Cleveland Browns - 13% owned in Yahoo leagues

This Week: 57 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 1 touchdown - 15.10 points (PPR leagues)
Analysis: McGahee had his best day of the season this past Sunday, contributing in both the running and passing games and getting into the endzone for just the second time this year.  He matches up against the Patriots in Week 14, who are middle-of-the-road as far as allowing points to RBs, but the matchup doesn't really matter so much when you consider the context of McGahee's 2013.  He's been barely a shadow of his former self, and he has shown nowhere near the consistency you need to give a guy a start at the end of your roster.  It's probably better to leave McGahee on the wire for now.

Mike Tolbert - RB, Carolina Panthers - 30% owned in Yahoo leagues

This Week: 48 rushing yards, 3 receptions - 11.90 points (PPR leagues)
Analysis: Tolbert was already the best RB to own on Carolina because of his goal line carries, but now with DeAngelo Williams injured and Tolbert thoroughly outperforming Jonathan Stewart vs. the Bucs, his stock is rising slightly higher.  You'll still have to deal with the value draining 3-headed "monster" that is Carolina's tailback situation, but Tolbert is the guy to own of the three. He's a solid flex option in deeper leagues for his week 14 matchup vs. a New Orleans team that has not been good vs. the run.

LeGarrette Blount - RB, New England Patriots - 6% owned in Yahoo leagues

This Week: 44 rushing yards, 1 touchdown - 10.94 points (PPR leagues)
Analysis: With the continued struggles of Stevan Ridley as the lead running back for the Patriots, due to his chronic fumbling issues, Blount has seen his role increase and grow in recent weeks. This past week Ridley was not even active for the Patriots, and was a healthy scratch, so Blount functioned as the early-down running back for the offense. He ran pretty well and was also utilized as the preferred goal-line RB throughout the game, scoring a touchdown in the process. If you are looking for a decent playoff RB stash, then target Blount as a week 14 running back waiver wire option who may continue to see carries in New England down the stretch.