Week 9 Waiver Wire Running Backs (RB) – Deep Leagues

October 29, 2013

RotoBaller Uncle Leo breaks down week nine waiver wire running backs (RBs) for deeper fantasy football leagues. In a year where fantasy running backs are so thin, we deep digger into the waiver wire to find some hidden gems.

In this space we will highlight some NFL running backs that need to be considered on the week 9 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 9 Waiver Wire – Running Backs (Deep Leagues)

Andre Ellington – RB, Arizona Cardinals – 53% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Add in All Leagues Immediately
Analysis:  As the season progresses, Ellington's running back role continues to grow within the Arizona offense.  Rashard Mendenhall continues to slip into fantasy football irrelevance, as he continues to be ineffective.  Ellington on the other hand is a young, fast, shifty, dynamic running back who can make plays.  On Sunday Ellington put on quite a show rushing for 154 yards on only 15 carries (10.3 YPC average) with a TD, and adding two catches as well.  That was good for the second most points of any running back in the NFL, racking up 24.20 points in PPR leagues.  Don't forget that he put up 20.20 points (PPR leagues) in week 6 as well, versus a stout SF defense.  The fact that he is still only owned in 53% of Yahoo leagues is crazy, and he needs to be owned in all leagues immediately.  If this rising running back is still available in your fantasy league, make sure to target him aggressively on the week 9 waiver wire.

Mike Tolbert – RB, Carolina Panthers – 22% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Add in Deep Leagues
Analysis:  Tolbert is going to get some love again in week nine's waiver wire, as he just keeps producing as the third-down running back for the Panthers.  In PPR leagues, Tolbert put up a solid 16.40 points last week.  He also racked up 9.60 points in week 7 and 18.70 in week 6.  Although he isn't the starting running back for the Panthers, he has been getting some goal line carries which are translating into TDs for his fantasy owners.  He is also the full time third-down running back for Carolina, so he will continue to get catches out of the backfield along with about 8-10 rushing attempts per game.  Jonathan Stewart is expected back at some point, which may reduce Tolbert's role in the offense, but nothing is guaranteed right now.  If you are hurting for a running back, or are in a deeper league, add Tolbert off the week 9 waiver wire as a solid matchup against the fading Falcons awaits.

Daniel Thomas – RB, Miami Dolphins – 16% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move: Stash in Deep Leagues
Analysis: Miami came out of their week six bye, and somewhat surprisingly decided that Thomas was going to be an important part of their weekly game plan going forward.  Many thought that Lamar Miller would emerge as the clear-cut running back for the Dolphins, after the coaches made their bye week assessments.  But that was not the case, as Thomas got the start in week 7 and received 12 carries for 60 yards (5.0 YPC).  In week 8, Thomas received another 9 carries and ran for 47 yards (5.2 YPC) - sprinkling in 1 catch for a touchdown.  These numbers aren't elite by any means, but Thomas will continue to get carries as one of the Miami running backs including getting some goal-line looks.  If you are in a deeper league, or on a severe bye-week crunch, you may want to target this running back on your week 9 waiver wire.

Brandon Bolden – RB, New England Patriots – 14% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Add in Deep PPR Leagues
Analysis: The Patriots continue to utilize Bolden as an important running back in their offense, leaning on him in hurry-up situations and third-downs. Bolden's strength is his hands, and the ability to catch passes out of the backfield.  And the Patriots have been using a lot of formations recently which keep Bolden in the game. In PPR leagues, Bolden put up 10.90 points on Sunday - and in week 7 he had 11.30 points.  Those are decent numbers in PPR leagues especially for those in need of a bye-week fill in, or those fantasy owners who are extremely thin at the running back position.  If you're looking for a FLEX option this week, target Bolden on your week 9 waiver wire.

Donald Brown – RB, Indianapolis Colts – 7% owned in Yahoo leagues

Baller Move:  Stash in Deep Leagues
Analysis:  With the Colts coming out of their bye in week 9, the running back situation is an interesting one that should be monitored.  Trent Richardson has been rather ineffective for Indianapolis, and hasn't been running well over the past few weeks.  Brown on the other hand has been given more rushing attempts of late, perhaps because T-Rich isn't playing well, and has been decent with his opportunities.  In PPR leagues, Brown has had 9.40 points or more in 3 out of the past 4 weeks.  And before their week 8 bye, the Colts coaches gave Brown 11 carries which was his highest total for the season.  That is the biggest reason why I will be monitoring the running back situation for the Colts this week.  If you are very thin at running back, or are looking for a deep league flyer, you can take a chance on Brown off the week 9 waiver wire.

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In case you missed them, here are some other RotoBaller Week 9 articles.  Let’s win some leagues!

• Week 9 Waiver Wire - Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)
• Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight Ends (TE)

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