RADIO
The vultures were out in full force in Week 11, with the likes of Robert Turbin, Jeremy Langford and Matt Asiata robbing their backfield counterparts of easy touchdowns. While these backups aren't guaranteed to give fantasy value on a weekly basis, they could serve as solid backups/handcuffs. The fantasy playoffs are just around the corner, so having a reliable backfield is crucial at this point in the season.
This article will aim to highlight Week 12 waiver wire adds for running backs, players that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire. 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.
Editor's Note: Once you're done here, be sure to read about even more Week 12 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS
Frontrunners for Week 12 - Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of running backs that I would 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 fantasy leagues.
Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI) 2% owned - Both Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews left the game against Seattle, finally giving Smallwood his opportunity to lead the backfield. Smallwood managed 48 yards on 13 rushes, but keep in mind the Eagles were playing in Seattle and the passing game was non-existent. Next week won't be easy either, with Green Bay on the slate, but Smallwood may at least be worth a flex slot. He was averaging 4.7 Y/A on the season entering this week on 44 carries.
Mike Gillislee (RB, BUF) 25% owned - He's back on the radar again with LeSean McCoy suffering another injury in Week 11. This time it's a dislocated thumb, which may not force him to miss any time. Still, it's worth noting that Buffalo is second in the league in rushing, so there may be room for Gillislee to provide deep league value, aside from being an obvious handcuff. Gillislee looked good once he entered the game, rushing for 72 yards on 14 carries. If you've got the bench room or are a skittish Shady owner, he should be picked up this week.
Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) 49% owned - He's back under 50% ownership level after a disappointing Week 11, but he could be in line for more work in the coming weeks. T.J. Yeldon left early with an ankle injury, putting Ivory in the pass-catching role for the first time. He responded well with six receptions for 75 yards, salvaging value from a poor rushing performance of 39 yards and a lost fumble. Ivory got a pair of rushing attempts inside the 10 yard line, but couldn't find paydirt. It's hard to rely on him as anything more than a flex play in Jacksonville's offense, but he still has the talent to rack up yards on occasion.
In The Running - Week 12 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 above options are already taken.
Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) 28% owned - Dixon saw nearly an equal number of snaps to Terrance West (21 for Dixon, 24 for West). It was West who found the end zone on an 18-yard run, but Dixon averaged almost seven yards per carry (6-40). The Ravens couldn't establish a running game against the Cowboys, playing from behind throughout the second half, so don't hold his low output against him. Dixon is nothing more than an RB3 at this point, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get more carries in the last couple of weeks of the season, especially if the Ravens fall out of the playoff race.
Jeremy Langford (RB, CHI) 30% owned - Langford only carried the ball six times for eight yards, but played the vulture role against the Giants by rushing for a one-yard score. Langford certainly doesn't fit the bill as a short-yardage specialist, so don't expect too many touchdowns in the future. This serves more as a reminder that Langford could occasionally put up points filling in for Howard. He caught three passes for 30 yards and is a better pass-catcher than Howard, making him more valuable in PPR leagues. Plus, he's a Jordan Howard injury away from being an RB2 again.
Alex Collins (RB, SEA) 1% owned - Christine Michael was waived, C.J. Prosise is going to be out "a while" and Troymaine Pope exited early against the Eagles as well. For the time being, Collins is the RB2 in Seattle and a Thomas Rawls re-aggravation away from major value. With the way Seattle is playing, Collins could be worth stashing now, even if Rawls gets the vast majority of snaps next week. Collins has 10 carries for 29 yards and three catches for 28 yards on the year. He needs to wrap his head around pass protection and improve his hands, but he does have enough speed to be a playmaking threat.
Honorable Mentions: Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) 13% owned, Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) 41% owned, Paul Perkins (RB, NYG) 21% owned, Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) 27% owned
Dark Horses - Week 12 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.
Ameer Abdullah (RB, DET) 9% owned - There is speculation that Abdullah could return in approximately three weeks, which would make Abdullah available just in time for the fantasy playoffs. Of course, that isn't guaranteed and it will remain to be seen if Abdullah sees enough volume initially to be fantasy-worthy. If you're in a deep enough league and have stash room, he could pay dividends late in the season though.
Akeem Hunt (RB, HOU) 1% owned - At the time of this writing, Houston has yet to play their Monday night matchup. Hunt enters the week as a deep sleeper for fantasy purposes that could be a tremendous value if things break right. Lamar Miller has been nursing an ankle injury, but should be fine. Backups Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes, on the other hand, have missed practice this week. Blue will miss the game and Grimes is questionable. Hunt showed some burst in a change-of-pace role last week, rushing eight times for 52 yards.
Rex Burkhead (RB, CIN) 0% owned - A lightly used backup for three and a half seasons in Cincy, Burkhead is now the backup to Jeremy Hill. The unexpected loss of Gio Bernard to an ACL injury gives Burkhead some value, although he shouldn't receive too many looks other than the occasional reception and change-of-pace carry. It's not clear whether the Bengals will scour the waiver wire themselves for RB help. Burkhead has carried the ball 19 times for 70 yards in his career along with 18 catches for 153 yards.
Honorable Mentions: Robert Turbin (RB, IND) 3% owned, Benny Cunningham (RB, LA) 4% owned, Kapri Bibbs (RB, DEN) 31% owned, Matt Asiata (RB, MIN) 49% owned, Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) 49% owned, Damien Williams (RB, MIA) 5% owned
Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye
Matt Jones (RB, WAS) 45% owned - Jones has gone from RB1 in Washington to healthy inactive two weeks in a row. Rob Kelley has officially taken over as the lead back with Chris Thompson serving as the third-down option. It will take an injury or a fumbling problem by Kelley for Jones to reclaim his job. He doesn't need to be kept in most leagues that aren't of the dynasty variety.
T.J. Yeldon (RB, JAX) 55% owned - His ankle injury may not be serious, but it's time to examine what exactly Yeldon brings to the table. Since the Jags' bye in Week 5, Yeldon has only scored double-digit fantasy points once. He hasn't run for more than 33 yards or surpassed 70 total yards in that time either. He has two touchdowns on the season, giving him five in his two-year career. He is by no means a must-play or even a must-hold any longer.
Alfred Blue (RB, HOU) 2% owned - There's a new backup in town for Houston. Akeem Hunt ran for 52 yards in his 2016 debut last week with Blue on the mend. He has an impressive 5.9 Y/A for his brief career, compared to 3.6 Y/A for Blue. Blue was never more than a handcuff for Miller, but now he can't even claim that honor.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
