Week 3 Running Backs: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

September 15, 2014

Rek analyzes Week 3 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.

Last week in this running backs waiver wire column I recommended some players to consider adding to your teams, and here's how they performed in Week 2: Justin Forsett (11.2 PPR points), Chris Ivory (11.6 PPR points), James Starks (0.00 points), and Mark Ingram (19.4 PPR points).

I don't foresee Forsett being that great in anything but PPR formats moving forward, but he is definitely worth the add in those types of leagues if he's still available. Chris Ivory continues to look explosive in the Jets backfield, and should be more widely owned than his current 73%. James Starks did nothing this past game, but is still a good stash in deeper leagues (and a must stash for Eddie Lacy owners) in case anything happens to Eddie Lacy.

Finally, it's just been reported that Mark Ingram has gone down for at least a month with a hand injury, so I'm here to offer you some possible running back replacements off the waiver wire for Week 3 and beyond.

Editor’s Note: be sure to bookmark our awesome fantasy football waiver wire pickups list, which is a daily updated list of waiver wire adds and players to pickup for all NFL positions. And if you want to read even more waiver wire analysis at each position, we dig deeper and break down more in-depth waiver wire options weekly:

• Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups Overview for Fantasy Football
• Week 3 Wide Receivers: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds
• Week 3 Tight Ends: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds
• Defenses (DEF) to Start in Week 3: Fantasy Tiers & Rankings

Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Terrance West (RB, CLE) - 70% owned in Fleaflicker

Contributing to the fact that the Browns pulled off a shocking victory over the Saints was rookie running back Terrance West. West is usually the backup RB to Ben Tate in this offense, but Tate did what Tate does and got injured for a few weeks. Enter Terrance West.

In his first week as the featured back, West rushed 19 times for 68 yards and a touchdown. He only averaged 3.6 yards per carry, which really isn't that good, but the Saints do have a decent run defense. He also added 22 yards on two catches, which makes him seem like a pretty well-rounded running back, especially in PPR leauges.

As of now it seems like this is West's job to lose as long as Tate is out, but West owners should be wary of Isaiah Crowell. Crowell rushed 11 times for 54 yards in Week 2, an average of 4.9 yards per carry. Many in the fantasy community think Crowell is the more talented running back, and I'm inclined to agree, but until we see West's usage in the offense dip he is worth a pickup. He received a large volume of work in Week 2, and will remain a solid RB2 in all formats with this type of workload.

Knile Davis (RB, KC) - 29% owned in Fleaflicker

Many owners were understandably upset that Jamaal Charles had to leave the Chiefs game with an injured ankle. Maybe they wouldn't have been as upset though if they had known to pickup and stash Knile Davis, in case of this type of situation. Hopefully you are one of the owners who handcuffed Charles with Davis, but if not you will surely be looking to grab him off the waiver wire for Week 3. On Sunday, Davis rushed 22 times for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 3.6 yards per carry weren't great, but he was also facing one of the top rated defensive teams in the Broncos.

Add in the fact that he also had 6 catchers for 43 yards, and you have a PPR star in the making. Anyone who thinks Knile is going to start over Jamaal when both are healthy is in denial, but as long as Jamaal is out Knile will be the go-to guy for this offense. He is worth an add off the waiver wire for all Jamaal owners, and in just about any league (especially PPR). Update: With the recent news that Charles has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, which can be a multi-week injury, Davis essentially becomes the #1 waiver wire add for Week 3 regardless of your league format.

Bobby Rainey (RB, TB) - 34% owned in Fleaflicker

You all remember our old friend Bobby Rainey from last year right? The guy who stepped in when Doug Martin disappointed everyone who drafted him as a first rounder and had some big games? Well when Doug Martin was ruled out for this week's game, Rainey came to our aid like the knight in shining armor that he is.

The Rain Man, as I will now refer to him, rushed 22 times for 144 yards and a 6.5 yards per attempt average. Just in case that isn't enough for you, he also added 3 receptions for 30 yards. The Rams are supposed to have a pretty tough run defense, but Rainey made them look more like sheep than Rams. I would absolutely stash Rainey if I owned Doug Martin, and I'd keep an eye on how the Bucs backfield situation plays out throughout the course of the season. The coaches clearly have confidence in Rainey, and he has delivered for both the Bucs and fantasy football owners. It's unknown as of now how long Martin will be out, and if he will play in Week 3, but Rainey is a great waiver wire add for running backs this week if he's still available in your league.

Matt Asiata (RB, MIN) - 32% owned in Fleaflicker

Adrian Peterson may see further punishment for his actions, but he has also been reinstated by the Vikings as of this morning and is expected to play in Week 3 against the Saints. But this saga may not be over yet, as Peterson's case is being processed legally, and it's possible that he could end up missing more time this season if things get worse. So if you own Peterson, you're going to want to look at another running back to handcuff him, just in case. And his own replacement Matt Asiata may still be worth a pickup off the waiver wire if he's still available in your league.

The Vikings offense doesn't have anything worth a dime besides Cordarrelle Patterson and an older Greg Jennings. What does that mean? They're going to have to run the ball a lot if they want any chance at winning their games. While Asiata didn't exactly impress in his first game as a starter this year, rushing 13 times for only 36 yards, he did impress in his ability to catch balls. Asiata caught 5 balls for 48 yards and a touchdown. His rushing average was an ugly 2.8 yards per carry, but his receiving average was an awesome 9.6 yards per reception which made him a great play in PPR formats. Based on volume alone, Asiata performed as a solid RB2 for fantasy football owners, and could be viewed the same for any future games where he would act as the lead running back. Just be wary of Jerick McKinnon, who according to some is the more talented back and could take the RB2 job from Asiata if Peterson was to miss any more time.

Robert Turbin (RB, SEA) - 30% owned in Fleaflicker

So far this season, reports of Marshawn Lynch's demise have been greatly exaggerated. However, with the amount of workload he has seen over the past few years, as well as his age, it would not surprise me to see Lynch come up with an injury at some point this season. There is some debate in the fantasy community as to whether Lynch's replacement would be Robert Turbin or the talented Christine Michael - but if Week 2's game is any indication, the Seahawks seem to prefer Turbin for now.

The rushing attempts were unimpressive for Turbin in this game, but he did get 2 attempts versus zero for Michael. Where Turbin really impressed me though was his 2 receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown. Granted, one of those receptions was for 32 yards, but the fact that he was able to make the play itself was impressive. Feel free to add Turbin off the waiver wire in 12+ PPR leagues if you're needy for a running back (or are looking to stash some running back sleepers off the waiver wire), and continue to scout him in all other formats.

Recommended But With Caution

Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) - 60% Owned in Fleaflicker

Jonathan Stewart was a once talented running back with sky-high fantasy football upside, but he's had trouble staying healthy the past few years. However, on Sunday he got the chance to showcase some of his talents with DeAngelo Williams hurt, as he was the lead running back for the Panthers. Or at least that's what I would say if Stewart had looked impressive. Don't get me wrong, he had a touchdown and he had a nice reception for 22 yards, helping out fantasy football owners who started him - but rushing 15 times for only 37 yards is abysmal. Your grandmother on her walker probably could have rushed for more yards.

So why am I mentioning Stewart here? Well, despite the fact that his yards per attempt have gone down almost every year, his yards per reception have seemed to climb up. In addition to that, DeAngelo Williams is most likely on the downside of his career at age 31, versus Stewart who is still only 27. Stewart is worth a speculative add off the waiver wire in Week 3, in case Williams misses any more time. He can also be added to your bench in deeper PPR formats, or stashed in any other format, but I'd avoid starting him unless you're in a deeper PPR league or are in a bind with your running backs.

Honorable Mentions & Other Running Back Options

Dexter McCluster (24% owned), and Danny Woodhead (58% owned), Silas Redd (0% owned) and of course Ingram's direct replacement Khiry Robinson (39% owned).

Donald Brown (14%) is also a late edition to this list based on recent injury news, and would be my next running back pickup target for this article coming after Knile Davis.

That's all for running backs and this week folks. Agree/disagree? Let's get a conversation going on twitter @RekedFantasy. Until next week RotoBallers!