In this space we will highlight some NFL running backs that need to be considered on the week 8 waiver wire for deeper leagues, or running backs that are still just being overlooked in fantasy leagues.  For those who play in 12-14 team leagues (or more), have deep benches, or are really hurting at running back – look no further.  

Week 8 Waiver Wire - Running Backs (Deep Leagues)

Zac Stacy – St. Louis Rams – 49% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Add in All Leagues
Analysis: The fact that Zac Stacy is only 49% owned in Yahoo leagues is just craziness.  We already covered him in our Week Seven article, but it's criminal that he's still so underowned. Stacy has emerged as the primary running back for the St. Louis Rams, and has clearly separated himself from the rest of the pack.  Due to their atrocious passing attack, the Rams have been focusing on the running game over the past few weeks.  And now with news of Sam Bradford’s season-ending injury, the Rams will be even more desperate to have an effective run game and will need to lean on Stacy heavily.  If Stacy is available in your league, drop what you’re doing now and go add him immediately.

Chris Ivory – New York Jets– 28% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Add in Deep Leagues
Analysis:  Everyone was excited about Chris Ivory signing with the Jets, since on paper he was the most talented running back on the roster coming into the season, and the Jets offense is always leaning on their running backs.  His injuries held him back through the first few weeks, and Bilal Powell was also playing well.  Given the opportunity on Sunday versus the Patriots, he took advantage and ran like a man possessed.  He was given a whopping 34 carries, and totaled 104 yards rushing.  The Jets will most likely be using both Ivory and Powell in a running back timeshare going forward, but he is still a solid add in deep leagues, and if he continues to play like he did Sunday, he may eventually run away with the job.

Michael Cox – New York Giants – 4% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move: Stash in Deep Leagues
Analysis: Michael Cox is starting for the Giants on Monday Night Football, and should be rostered in deep leagues.  If your league settings still allow MNF players to be picked up and you have a bench player you can let go of, it may not be a bad idea to make the swap now.  With Brandon Jacobs injured, the Giants are crazy thin at running back and will be relying on Cox and Peyton Hillis tonight.  Hillis was only signed a few days ago, and realistically can’t be counted on for all that much. Cox, on the other hand, was drafted with big-time talent, but was buried on the depth chart coming into the season.  Now with the opportunity, who knows how he will perform? It’s always possible that Cox can have a big game and stick with a significant role in the Giant’s offense.

Update: Cox ended up with 13 touches (11 carries and 2 catches), but didn't produce much with only 24 total yards.  Peyton Hillis wound up being the workhorse for the Giants with 23 touches (18 carries and 5 catches).  If Jacobs isn't healthy by Week Eight, Hillis will most likely be the lead running back again with Cox as a change-of-pace back.  Hillis can be stashed in deep leagues, but realistically may not hold all that much fantasy value going forward.

Mike Tolbert – Carolina Panthers – 13% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Stash in Deep Leagues
Analysis:  After a slow start to the 2013 NFL season, Mike Tolbert has been picking it up over the past couple of weeks.  In Week Six, Tolbert put up 18.70 points in fantasy leagues (PPR), getting involved in both the running game and the passing game and putting up two touchdowns.  This week, Tolbert didn’t receive quite as many touches, but still had 13 carries with a touchdown.  Jonathan Stewart may be returning shortly, which will most likely diminish Tolbert’s role in the offense, but there are no guarantees right now with Stewart, and Tolbert is quietly producing.  If you're hurting at running back, or are looking at severe bye-week crunches, Tolbert may not a bad option to stash on your bench.

Brandon Bolden – New England Patriots – 9% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Stash in Deep Leagues
Analysis:  Brandon Bolden had another decent game this week for the Patriots, as Bill Belichick continued to use him throughout the game.  Even with Stevan Ridley back and running well, Bolden received plenty of work early, especially when the Patriots were in the hurry-up offense.  He continues to act as the third-down back for the Patriots, and stays on the field when Brady needs more options in the passing game.  In PPR leagues, Bolden is an even better option as he will continue to get targets in the passing game.  If anything were to happen to Ridley, Bolden would see a large increase in workload as the primary New England running back.

Donald Brown – Indianapolis Colts – 6% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Stash in Deep Leagues
Analysis:  Ever since the Colts traded for Trent Richardson, everyone has been waiting for him to play to his potential and break out in a high-scoring offense.  Needless to say, that hasn’t happened yet.  Richardson has been decent, but still hasn’t mastered the Indianapolis playbook-- and he can’t seem to find any holes when he’s running.  He hasn’t been targeted often in the passing game, and isn’t really producing much on the ground.  Donald Brown has been used as a change-of-pace running back, and this past week had his biggest workload with 11 carries and three catches.  The numbers aren’t elite by any means, but if Brown continues to get carries, he could produce for fantasy owners.  Richardson owners should also be picking up Brown as a handcuff.

=============

In case you missed them, here are some other RotoBaller Week 8 articles.  Let’s win some leagues!

• Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs (RB)
• Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks (QBs)
• Week 8 Waiver Wire - Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)
• Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends (TE)
• Waiver Wire Pickups Recap - Wide Receivers (WR)

=============