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

It's not too late. Week 8 is in the books and for most leagues that means that we are half way through the season. By no means is it too late to turn a season around and with the myriad of injuries this past week, the waiver wire is just the place to do it.

Each week, this article will aim to highlight running backs that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire.

I've split these players up into three tiers from most desirable to most desperate. Additionally, I've included players at the bottom of this list that I would be comfortable cutting as I don't see them contributing in a major way this season.

 

Cream of the Crop Running Backs for Week 9 Waiver Wire

These are running backs that I would add no matter what if they are available on your waiver wire. These players have a chance to be starters and weekly contributors to their NFL teams.

DeAngelo Williams (RB, PIT) - 50% owned on Fleaflicker

Not much to say here. Le'Veon Bell appears to be out for the season, Big Ben is back running the offense, and DeAngelo was oustanding stepping in for Bell earlier this year. I think Williams is a top-15 back going forward on one of the best offenses in the league. Most importantly, Pittsburgh has proven that it is not afraid to give Williams goal line carries (see his three-TD game from earlier this season), something Carolina never was comfortable doing.

Jeremy Langford (RB, CHI) - 10% owned on Fleaflicker

Like Le'Veon Bell, Matt Forte also hurt his knee, but it does not seem nearly as serious. However, with Forte out, Langford took the reins as an every-down back and was fairly successful racking up 46 yards on the ground on 12 carries. Langford did commit a potential game changing drop in the 4th quarter, so it remains to be seen if he can be effective in the passing game, but he has RB-2 upside if Forte misses the Monday Night matchup.

David Cobb (RB, TEN) - 39% owned on Fleaflicker

No one in the Tennessee backfield has truly separated himself from the pack in recent weeks, leaving the door open for touted rookie David Cobb to make an immediate impact upon his return. Cobb has been out with a calf injury he suffered in the preseason, and will be eligible to return in about a week, making him a very interesting stash option in all formats. If he is able to prove the feature-back skills that he flashed in the preseason were legitimate, then he could quickly find himself in the RB2 conversation on a team sorely in need of help on the ground.

 

Wait and See Running Backs for Week 9 Waiver Wire

These are running backs highly available on the waiver wire who you should consider stashing if you have room.

Antonio Andrews (RB, TEN) - 30% owned on Fleaflicker

Andrews was the clear leader in the backfield this past weekend, receiving 19 touches in a loss to the Texans. With Tennessee down the entire game, one may have expected to see more Dexter McCluster in this one, but it was Andrews who was given the ball on a consistent basis. I've written about Andrews for several weeks and while he is not a special talent, I still see 2013 Zac Stacy here if he is given the touches. Andrews will face New Orleans, Carolina, and Jacksonville over the next three weeks, all of whom rank in the bottom half of the league in defending the rush from a fantasy perspective. He'll be useful at least one more week as David Cobb tries to work his way back into game shape.

Karlos Williams (RB, BUF) - 44% owned on Fleaflicker

The rookie bruiser should finally be back at 100% after a lengthy absence due to a concussion, and as his health returns so does his fantasy value. Williams is a much better inside runner than the jumping-and-cutting LeSean McCoy, and has already showed a penchant for finding the end zone (three touchdowns in four games played). As the complementary back on a run-first team, he has flex appeal on his own, but as the handcuff to one of the league's more injury-prone feature backs, he should be owned in every league with 10 or more teams.

Honorable Mentions: James Starks (RB, GB) - 48% owned

 

Hail Mary Running Backs for Week 9 Waiver Wire

These are desperation plays who shouldn't be starting for you. The injury bug, bye week troubles, or something else needs to be affecting your team to add these players.

Theo Riddick (RB, DET) - 31% owned on Fleaflicker

Another absolute disaster of a game for the Lions. At this point it is almost a guarantee that they will be down and down big and that is when Riddick does most of his damage as a dynamic pass catcher. It seems as though Ameer Abdullah has frustrated the Lions coaching staff enough to lose any semblance of a major role, as he touched the ball just once in Sunday's loss. This should free up even more touches for Riddick, and I'd be more than comfortable using him as a bye week fill-in.

Chris Polk (RB, HOU) - 22% owned on Fleaflicker

As most predicted, it was Alfred Blue who led the Texans backfield in touches in the team's first game without Arian Foster. Blue rushed for just 39 yards on 14 carries while catching five passes for 33 yards. This performance certainly did not solidify Blue's role as the lead back, and while Polk was similarly unimpressive he did have eight carries and one catch of his own. Clearly this backfield is unsettled, and many believe Polk is the better all-around talent of the two. He is definitely a better pass-catcher, and on the pass-happy Texans the third-down role could be productive even if Polk doesn't supplant Blue as the starter.

Honorable Mentions: Joique Bell (RB, DET) - 50% owned, Tre Mason (RB, STL) - 46% owned

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 




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

KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Cole Ragans

to Begin Throwing on Monday
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
Andrés Giménez

Andres Gimenez Hits 10-Day Injured List
Jermaine Burton

Continues to Show Growth
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
Austin Cindric

Remains an Overrated Road Racer
Brad Keselowski

Likely to Brush Past Chicago Street Course to Focus on Daytona
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek One of the Best Underdog Options After Strong Runs at Mexico City and Last Year
Cole Custer

Strong Mexico City Run and Xfinity Series Chicago Win Make Him a Solid DFS Option
Erik Jones

Likely Not Good Enough on Road Courses for DFS Consideration Despite Poor Qualifying Result
Noah Gragson

May Be Better Than Other Cheap DFS Options
Riley Herbst

Despite Decent Mexico City Run, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Chicago
Cody Ware

Is a Road Course Veteran, but It's Rarely Helped Him in NASCAR
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Is The Heavy Favorite to Win at Chicago Street Course
Christopher Bell

Should Be Strong Despite Practice Struggles at Chicago Street Course
Cam Ward

"Not Expecting" to be handed Starting Job
Chase Claypool

Eager to Get Back on the Field
Wyatt Langford

Activated, Playing on Saturday
Jay Huff

on the Move to Indiana
Cam Whitmore

Wizards Acquire Cam Whitmore from the Rockets
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF