RADIO
Unfortunately, it's going to be a busy week for the RB waiver wire. This article should be accompanied by the theme music for M*A*S*H (Google it kids, it's a classic). Several injuries forced backup running backs into action in Week 4, with varying results.
This article will aim to highlight Week 5 waiver wire adds for running backs, players that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire if available. Running backs will be split up into three tiers - from most desirable, to most desperate.
I will also include RBs at the bottom of this list that you might consider cutting in order to make room for your new additions.
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Frontrunners for Week 5 - Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of running backs that I would strongly recommend adding if they are available on your waiver wire. Some are more viable for PPR formats, so take note of that. These players have either earned a greater workload due to injury/performance issues or have shown that they can be weekly contributors to their NFL teams. All players listed have 50% or less ownership levels across Yahoo leagues.
Wayne Gallman, New York Giants - 2% owned (20-30% FAAB)
A runner grows in New York. Watching Gallman take a handoff and actually create positive yards makes you wonder why they stuck with Paul Perkins this long. Gallman didn't have a monster game, but he did manage 50 total yards on 13 touches, including a touchdown reception. He is averaging four yards a pop, as opposed to Perkins who is averaging less than two Y/A. Perkins also suffered a rib injury, which could keep him out of next week's tilt with the Chargers completely. Even as a featured back, Gallman's upside is somewhat limited by his pass-first offense and poor offensive line, but opportunity alone could make him worth scooping up as an RB3.
Alex Collins, Baltimore Ravens - 9% owned (20-30% FAAB)
Collins only carried the ball nine times in Week 4, mainly due to the fact the Ravens were behind the entire second half. He still managed to bring something to the Ravens that they've lacked in the run game - big-play ability. Collins ripped off a 50-yard run and finished with 82 yards for the second straight game, even in back-to-back bad losses. If there's a knock on Collins, it's ball security. He fumbled again and has done so consistently throughout his career. His hold on the starting job may be tenuous, but his upside is palpable if he can just hold on to the ball.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints - 45% owned (30-40% FAAB - PPR leagues)
If you're in a full PPR league and Kamara is still on the wire, this might be your last chance to grab him. He only carried five times in Week 4, but that was still more than Adrian Peterson. What he did was catch 10 passes for 71 yards, giving fantasy owners WR2 value in a flex spot. After a quarter of the season, he's averaging seven targets per game. He is a clear favorite of coach Sean Payton and should only see his usage increase as the year goes on.
In The Running - Week 5 Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of running backs widely available on the waiver wire who aren't must-adds, but could be worth stashing or streaming if the frontrunners are already taken in your league.
Latavius Murray, Minnesota Vikings - 15% owned (25-30% FAAB - more if you owned Cook)
If Dalvin Cook is out for the season as feared, the Vikes will have no choice but to put their offseason free agent acquisition the lead back. That doesn't make him a high-priority add so much as it hurts the offense in general. Murray looked lethargic in the second half against Detroit, carrying seven times for 21 yards. Jerick McKinnon could be worked back into the mix more, but Murray should see more work on early downs and in the red zone. If you're a sad Cook owner or RB-desperate in general, Murray is worth a shot if your league doesn't count yards per carry as a category (it probably doesn't).
Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks - 29% owned (10-15% FAAB)
Chris Carson suffered a bad ankle injury late on Sunday night, so it appears the 'Hawks will now be forced to go back to last year's RB candidates. While Rawls was inactive in Week 4 and Eddie Lacy actually got some run, I have little faith in Lacy getting much push behind a bad offensive line when facing better opponents than the Colts. It was only two years ago that Rawls averaged a league-high 5.6 yards per carry behind the same offense. Rawls is the better upside play, so if I'm stashing a Seahawks runner (hopefully not), then I'll go with Rawls. Emphasis on "stash," not start immediately. Rawls has to prove he's 100% and we don't know for sure how many carries he'll get off the bat.
Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals - 22% owned (10-15% FAAB - PPR leagues)
Ellington put his short work as a wide receiver this offseason to good use. He plays as a poor man's David Johnson, except without the running ability. Maybe more of a poor man's Danny Woodhead. Anyway, Ellington served as Carson Palmer's outlet on nine different occasions, totaling 86 yards through the air. He had a touchdown called back as well. He'll be far from reliable and the 49ers are a very forgiving defense, so don't expect this kind of output on a weekly basis.
Honorable Mentions: Jamaal Charles (46% owned), Giovani Bernard (19% owned), Chris Johnson (36% owned), Jerick McKinnon (1% owned)
Dark Horses - Week 5 Running Backs Waiver Wire
This group consists of running backs who are strictly desperation plays. They could serve as a bye week fill-in, short-term injury replacement or weekly lottery ticket.
Elijah McGuire, New York Jets - 2% owned (8-10% FAAB)
It was sort of a coming-out party for McGuire, who has seen his touches slowly increase each week after getting none in the season opener. His fantasy day was made on a 69-yard scamper to the end zone, giving him 93 on 10 carries. He'll continue to split snaps with Bilal Powell as long as Matt Forte is out, and could rejoin a three-way committee eventually. He should still be a high-priority pickup for this week alone, as the Jets face the sieve-like Cleveland Browns defense next week.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers - 11% owned (8-10% FAAB)
This pickup looked a whole lot better on Thursday night, but he doesn't belong in the top tier of the waiver wire any more. Speculation that broken ribs could keep Ty Montgomery out for several weeks has been scaled all the way to indicate that Montgomery might not miss more than one game. Likewise, Jamaal Williams didn't suffer any serious injury to his knee, so he should be available soon as well. It looks like Jones won't be taking up the mantle in the Green Bay backfield after all, although he could have earned himself some snaps going forward. He ran for 49 yards on nearly four yards per carry and a touchdown in relief against Chicago. He could be a decent streamer this week against the Cowboys, who have given up huge games to Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson.
Eddie Lacy, Seattle Seahawks - 18% owned (5-10% FAAB)
I advised outright dropping Lacy a couple weeks ago and haven't moved far away from that stance simply because of Carson's injury. Pete Carroll practically came out and admitted that Thomas Rawls will be the first choice going forward this morning. Rawls' inactivity is more a case of rest to make sure he's 100% healthy, which may pay off now that Carson is out indefinitely. Lacy rolled up 52 yards last night, but that was in a blowout victory against a helpless Colts team. Seattle gets the Rams next week, which is a great opportunity for one of these backs to get going. After that, you're looking at a bye and then the Giants and Texans. You're really better off staying away altogether from this situation for the next couple of weeks.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers - 0% owned (2% FAAB)
The undrafted free agent only saw one rush attempt on Sunday, but he parlayed it into his first NFL touchdown. Ekeler won't get many more attempts as long as Melvin Gordon is healthy (is he?), but he showed great burst and could be considered as a handcuff if Gordon's knee bothers him again down the road. If you are a disappointed Gordon owner, a couple bucks for his backup is worth it, but not so much otherwise.
Honorable Mentions: D'onta Foreman (28% owned), Corey Clement (2% owned), J.D. McKissic (0% owned), Matt Breida (12% owned)
Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye
This group consists of running backs who don't need to be owned. They aren't necessarily must-drop players, but if you need the roster space for one of the above players, don't hesitate to cut bait in order to chase upside.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings - 99% owned
This one hurts. It won't be official until Monday afternoon, but when the team comes out and says they fear the worst case scenario of an ACL injury, it's almost a foregone conclusion. It would have been fun to see Cook battle Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but it won't be the case. If you're not in a dynasty league, no need to stash here. Make room for his replacement, Murray, or another back with higher upside.
Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens - 71% owned
West accomplished an impressively bad feat against the Steelers, losing seven yards on four carries. The negative yardage isn't even the main factor in his evaporating value. Alex Collins has taken over as the starter and shown more upside than West ever has. He may play the role of goal-line vulture on occasion, but you have no business putting West in your lineup in any league so there's no point holding on to him.
Matt Forte, New York Jets - 34% owned
The Jets seemed to do just fine without Mr. Forte on Sunday. Granted, it was against the Jags, but they still ran for 256 yards on the day and saw the emergence of their rookie sixth-rounder, as mentioned above. Turf toe can linger, so it's very likely Forte misses another week or two. Powell and McGuire clearly present more upside without the injury risk, so if you want to own a Jets RB, Forte should be your third choice.
