X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 9 Running Backs: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

By Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Evan Okulanis analyzes Week 9 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.

In Week 8, some newly emerging running backs cemented themselves as the lead backs on their team.  Others have seen their opportunities increase due to underperformance or injuries.

That's good news for those of you who are in desperate need of a waiver wire running back for Week 9 and beyond, which I imagine is a lot of you. Let's get rolling on which running backs and potential sleepers that you should be willing to spend some FAAB bucks on in Week 9's waiver wire.

 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB) - Week 9

Denard Robinson (RB, JAX) - 40% owned on Fleaflicker

By Brad M (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsWell, if you didn’t believe last week, it’s time to believe this week.  Robinson rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries and added a reception for 12 yards. In the first half, he was nearly unstoppable, ripping off big gain after big gain against what is supposed to be a strong Miami front (they have struggled somewhat recently).

Despite statements to the contrary from Jaguars staff, Robinson was very clearly ahead of a “healthy” Toby Gerhart, as he should be, and he should see a majority of snaps week in and week out after two solid performances.  Against a Bengals team that’s been well below average against the run this year, look for Robinson to continue his hot stretch.  I’d start him as a solid RB2.

 

Charles Sims (RB, TB) - 9% owned on Fleaflicker

This is the guy I’m looking to buy in just about any PPR league as a great stash.  With Doug Martin struggling (and injured), and Bobby Rainey clearly not a favorite of the coaches, Sims should have his chance to shine once he returns from IR.  Sims was drafted to be the 3rd down back, and the running back of the future in Tampa Bay, however a broken ankle in the preseason cost him the first half of the season.

With Sims back at practice, look for him to be activated by Week 10, and with Martin being so incredibly ineffective, we can expect some immediate touches for Sims.  If he plays any bit like the player he was in college, he may have the backfield all to his own come fantasy playoff time. And given his scat-like ability, that could mean some good fantasy production for your team.  If you have a roster spot, spend some FAAB dollars to pick him up off the Week 9 waiver wire while he's cheap.

 

Theo Riddick (RB, DET) - 4% owned on Fleaflicker

Reggie who?  Riddick has made a name for himself in two of the past three weeks as a dangerous pass catching weapon out of the backfield. Against the Falcons swiss-cheese defense, he hauled in 8 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, including a drive-saving one handed catch that helped setup the game winning field goal.  While Riddick doesn’t have game-breaking speed or power, he makes up for that with superb hands and good vision.

As long as Reggie Bush remains banged up, Riddick will see his fair share of snaps as a 3rd down back, which in the Lions offense makes him someone to own.  Bush has been disappointing when he’s played this year, so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Riddick have a role regardless of when Bush comes back. Calvin Johnson's imminent return should have minimal impact on Riddick's outlook, so I’d hang on to Riddick as a stash coming out of their bye as he could be a valuable flex asset come playoff time, especially in PPR leagues.

 

Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) - 56% owned on Fleaflicker

Well, this a nice resurgence.  Had it not been for Stewart's strong play in Week 8, the Panthers may have had the opportunity to fail miserably in the red-zone against the Seahawks.  He rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries and hauled in 3 catches.  Stewart was breaking tackles and making defenders miss like his rookie year.  He clearly lost some of the explosiveness that made him an elite prospect, but he’s showed the past 2 weeks that he can be an effective runner when healthy.

With Carolina’s offense looking better the past few weeks (outside of the red zone), Stewart becomes an interesting waiver wire pickup for this Thursday against the leaky Saints run defense.  DeAngelo Williams probably won’t be playing, so Stewart should have the backfield to himself.  I’d take a flyer on him as a flex if you have the option, as Carolina should come out to play in a big division matchup.

Update: DeAngelo Williams is expected to return for Week 9, which takes away some potential value for Stewart. Either way, Williams hasn't been very effective with his opportunities for some time now, and Stewart is still a solid waiver wire pickup and stash if you're hurting at the running back position.

 

Lorenzo Taliaferro (RB, BAL) - 13% owned on Fleaflicker

It’s clear that the Ravens won’t be using Justin Forsett in goal line opportunities this year, as Bernard Pierce stole touchdowns in Weeks 6 and 7, while Taliaferro stole two this week.  With Pierce being hugely ineffective, Taliaferro got his shot and delivered big time in Week 8, rushing 7 times for 27 yards and two touchdowns. He also lead the team in receiving.  Taliaferro is a big bodied power back with decent speed, which makes a nice compliment to Forsett’s undersized but highly skilled package. The Ravens have shown faith in Zo in the past, and they are clearly done with the Pierce era.  Taliaferro is a solid bet for 8-10 carries a week and goal line vulture opportunities, so while he’d be a gamble of a flex play, he’s a great stash to hold onto in case Forsett can't play at this high of a level for the entire season.

 

Deep Leagues Running Backs (RB) - Week 9

Jonas Gray (RB, NE) - 5% owned on Fleaflicker

It’s impossible to judge Patriots running backs. Vereen had a monster game in Week 7, so it’s only fair that Bill Belichick rewards Jonas Gray with more touches than Vereen in Week 8, right?  The master of game planning, it’s impossible to predict how the Patriots game plan will incorporate their running backs week to week, so I’d consider Gray in only the deepest of leagues as a flyer.  The Pats have a tough matchup next week against the Broncos #2 ranked run defense, but after that the schedule does lighten up a bit.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Agrees to a One-Year Contract with Milwaukee
Kyrie Irving

"Healing Up Great"
Dante Exum

Mavs Agree on a One-Year Deal
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Jordan Love

May Wear Thumb Brace During Season
Braelon Allen

Says He Has a Lot Left to Prove
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Bogdan Bogdanović

Bogdan Bogdanovic to Miss the Rest of EuroBasket
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington
Aroldis Chapman

Agrees to Contract Extension
Juan Soto

Homers Twice in Loss
Nick Kurtz

Avoids Serious Injury
MacKenzie Gore

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Reaches 25-Homer, 25-Steal Milestone
Dansby Swanson

Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win
NBA

Olivier-Maxence Prosper Waived by the Mavs
Lauri Markkanen

Dominant in Win Over Great Britain
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Leads Serbia to a Win
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Shines Versus Portugal
De'Von Achane

Should be Ready for Week 1
Jose Alvarado

"Good" After Recent Fall
Alec Burleson

Lands on Injured List With Wrist Inflammation
Emmanuel Clase

Luis L. Ortiz to Remain On Leave for Rest of Season
Tyreek Hill

on Track to Play in Week 1
Jayden Reed

Dealing with Jones Fracture in Left Foot
Lauri Markkanen

Torches Sweden
Neemias Queta

Dominates in EuroBasket Opener
Kawhi Leonard

Clippers Not Allowing Kawhi Leonard to Play Back-to-Backs
NBA

Mavericks Looking to Trade Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Malik Nabers

Expected to be Full-Go for Week 1

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP