Week 4 Running Backs: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

September 22, 2014

Rek analyzes Week 4 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.

Some quick thoughts before we dig into the best waiver wire pickups at running back for week 4. Sorry Danny Woodhead owners. I share in your pain. Also, Eddie Lacy owners don't panic yet. He had a really tough schedule, he'll be just fine.

Now let's get started. You all know the drill by now.

Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Donald Brown (RB, SD) - 34% owned on Fleaflicker

I thought I'd be too late on this one, but given the ownership levels I guess I'm not. As I already mentioned Danny Woodhead is most likely done for the year. Ryan Mathews is also out for a few weeks. Do you know who the main beneficiary is? I'll give you a hint. It might be the guy whose name is in bold next to this text. Yup, Donald Brown will now get the majority if not all of the carries for the Chargers.

Against the Bill's, Brown rushed 31 times for 62 yards. That's a pretty gross 2.0 yards per carry,but he did have 5.3 yards per carry last year for the Colts so maybe he is just getting warmed up. Also 31 touches is an insane amount of volume. Don't expect to see that workload for him every week, but if he comes even close he will obviously be a useful player even at something like 3 yards per carry.

Also next week Donald gets a matchup against the Jaguars, who I don't think are going to enjoy trying to stop him as much as they would feasting on a nice duck dinner. Brown should run over the Jaguars all day. He should be a very nice RB2 or flex play for this upcoming week and he deserves to be owned in all 12+ team leagues at this point.

Khiry Robinson (RB, NO) - 51% owned on Fleaflicker

Robinson stepped right into the workhorse / goalline back role vacated by Mark Ingram due to Ingram's injury last week.  Robinson is a big boy at 6'0" 220 lbs, and as long as Ingram is out he will get the majority of carries in the potent New Orleans offense, with Pierre Thomas playing the role of passing down and change of pace back.   He had a solid debut this Sunday vs. the Vikings, rushing 18 times for 69 yards; his 18 carries were 8 more than Thomas. Robinson will make for a juicy RB2 / Flex play the next two weeks vs. the weak Dallas and Tampa Bay defenses.  He's worth owning in all 12+ team leagues at his point and he's worth a decent bid of your FAAB budget.

Lorenzo Taliaferro (RB, BAL) - 6% owned on Fleaflicker

Remember when the Ray Rice situation first broke and everyone told you to go add Justin Forsett? Remember when I was one of those people? You don't? You're very kind. But unless you're in a PPR format, you're probably pretty mad at me for recommending that you pick up Forsett. Well now I think you should listen to me about Lorenzo Taliaferro.

Why should you trust me this time? Because Taliaferro is the much more talented running back compared to Forsett, hence why he was taken in the 6th round of the 2014 draft. This week's game acted as a breakout party for Taliaferro who rushed 18 times for 91 yards and a TD, worth 15 + fantasy points in most leagues. Add in the fact that he averaged 5.1 yards per carry and you have a clear picture of a young running back with a lot of upside.

For anyone who is still worried about Bernard Pierce, I wouldn't be. Pierce is averaging only 4.04 yards per carry on the year, and hasn't endeared himself to the coaching staff with his ball handling. While Pierce may get the start in the coming weeks it won't be long now until he becomes the backup in my opinion, and that makes Taliaferro worth a stash.

Alfred Blue (RB, HOU) - 21% owned on Fleaflicker

Texans fans blame today's loss on the lack of Arian Foster as an option. While that may be true, it wasn't for a lack of trying by Batman's butler. Sure, Alfred Blue didn't look great in today's game against the Giants until he ripped off one big run for 46 yards but you'll take that from a guy who is supposed to be a backup.

Blue is someone that needs to be owned by all Foster owners at the very least.  Last year Foster only played 8 games in the season due to injury, and this year he has already come up with hamstring issues.  Blue and his 13 carries for 78 yards aren't going to kill you on your bench. In fact, having a bench RB who is averaging 6 yards per carry is very solid.  Just don't go overboard and spend crazy FAAB or waiver claims on Blue, or you may end up looking pretty blue yourself. Add Alfred in 12 + team leagues or deeper.

Isaiah Crowell (RB,CLE) - 31% owned on Fleaflicker

Remember last week when I told you to pick up Terrance West but watch out for Isaiah Crowell? Glad I hedged my bets. While West did have a TD, Crowell looked like the better back on this Sunday. Crowell rushed 11 times for 55 yards and a TD of his own. He also averaged 5.0 yards per carry to West's 3.0 yards per carry. Similar to the Taliaferro / Forsett situation, many experts have been claiming that Crowell was a better option over West ever since Ben Tate went down.

In fact, that seems to be the theme of the week. Running-backs who are more talented than their counterparts that currently own the job. I can't give the full endorsement to Scarecrow though (randomly made up nicknames are fun right?), because both he and West have a bye this upcoming week. After that, Ben Tate returns. Knowing Tate, it won't be long until he gets injured again, but similar to Alfred Blue don't go crazy picking up Scarecrow. They're too busy being involved in Batman's capers to establish much football relevance aside from bench depth.

Antone Smith (RB,ATL) - 8% owned on Fleaflicker

At some point Steven Jackson has to stop being the big fierce back we have all come to know and love right? Well, maybe not. But when/if he does, we all know that Jacquizz Rodgers is not the running back Atlanta needs or deserves. Those honors now seem to belong to Antone Smith who had a very nice game on Thursday rushing 4 times for 50 yards and a TD. That's 12.5 yards per carry, which is pretty insane.

Granted, those numbers came against a terrible Tampa Bay defense in a game they were being blown out of, but Rodgers had 5 carries and only managed 6 yards against that same defense. So, you tell me who you think the new no. 2 is in Atlanta? If you answered Antone Smith, you win! I'd own Antone Smith in deeper leagues right now as a lottery ticket, especially since I believe he'd take over the starting roll if anything were to happen to Jackson. Just keep in mind that Antone is no spring chicken himself, and there may be a reason he hasn't been given a full opportunity despite now having been in the league for four years.

Honorable Mentions Over 50% Owned &  Other Running Back Options: Jeremy Hill (58 % owned), Bishop Sankey (62 % owned), and *Lamar Miller (80 % owned)

*Makes the list because a lot of people doubted him and he had a pretty big performance in Knowshon's absence

That'll do it for this week. If you have any running backs questions or anything fantasy football related feel free to holler @RekedFantasy. Until next week, RotoBallers!