RADIO
Injuries reared their ugly head again in Week 8 as more high profile runners left early or couldn't perform. C.J. Anderson appears to be done for the year, Spencer Ware left early with a concussion and Matt Jones has a knee injury on top of his fumbling issues. In a highly volatile position, there are always a number of available running backs that could provide value in a given week. The key is knowing which one to add and then pouncing in time.
This article will aim to highlight Week 9 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 9 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS
Frontrunners for Week 9 - 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.
Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) 11% owned - At the time of this writing, the Cowboys-Eagles game hasn't even kicked off, yet Morris could be the most important waiver add of the week. Recent reports have suggested that Ezekiel Elliott could be suspended for a significant amount of time due to a lingering domestic violence allegation. If that happens, Morris will be the full-time runner behind the league's best offensive line. He hasn't been needed much this year, running the ball 33 times for 130 yards and pair of touchdowns. He is worth the stash due to the tremendous upside, especially in non-PPR leagues.
Charcandrick West (RB, KC) 5% owned - As mentioned above, Spencer Ware didn't see the field in the second half against the Colts after leaving with a suspected concussion. Even if Ware clears the concussion protocol in time to play against Jacksonville next week, West should get enough snaps to have value. Jamaal Charles is still having trouble with his knee and the Chiefs will not rush him back to risk further setbacks. If Ware is out, West instantly becomes an RB2 in fantasy leagues.
Tim Hightower (RB, NO) 4% owned - As soon as Mark Ingram fumbled in the first quarter against Seattle, his day was over. The Saints then dusted off Tim Hightower and made him the primary back for the remainder of the game. He responded with 102 rushing yards on 26 carries, providing 25 more rushing yards than Ingram's season best of 77 in six starts. Despite his advanced age for a running back (30), Hightower only has 638 career rush attempts and looked fresh. He has value in this offense, although Ingram will likely work his way back into the mix soon. If you're looking for a flex in the next bye-heavy week, he is a great option as the Saints face the 49ers and their league-worst run defense.
In The Running - Week 9 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.
Rob Kelley (RB, WAS) 35% owned - Kelley stepped into the lead role for Washington with Matt Jones out and performed well, running the ball for 87 yards and a touchdown. Kelley would be rated higher for Week 9, but the Redskins have a bye and it isn't clear whether Matt Jones will return by Week 10. He is more of a speculative long-term add if Jones' injury proves to be serious.
Dion Lewis (RB, NE) 33% owned - Lewis practiced with the Patriots this week after being activated from the PUP list. He should be activated within the next three weeks and take over the pass-catching role from James White. Lewis caught 36 passes for 388 yards in just seven games last year and ran for 4.8 Y/A. He has the ability to produce at a higher rate than White and becomes an immediate RB2 once he sees the field.
Thomas Rawls (RB, SEA) - 43% owned - Pete Carroll said that Rawls is still a couple of weeks away from game action. That could mean a return as early as Week 10. That is the optimistic timeline, however, as Rawls could also be shelved until early December if he doesn't recover quickly. If you have room to stash a player that could help for a late-season run, consider grabbing Rawls now while he is owned in less than half of fantasy leagues.
Honorable Mentions: C.J. Prosise (RB, SEA) 2% owned, Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) 12% owned, Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) 37% owned, Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) 48% owned
Dark Horses - Week 9 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.
Alfred Blue (RB, HOU) 16% owned - A lingering shoulder injury for Lamar Miller has led to higher usage for Alfred Blue. In Week 8, Blue had nine rushing attempts for 41 yards. In an extended audition to be the starter in place of Arian Foster last season, Blue only managed a 3.8 yards per carry average and two rushing touchdowns in nine starts. He doesn't have the highest ceiling, so he is only worth adding for Miller owners that miss out on better options or in extremely deep leagues.
Kapri Bibbs (RB, DEN) 7% owned - When the starter gets hurt, the backup to the backup suddenly has value. Bibbs only took eight snaps against San Diego, but he is now the handcuff to last week's hottest waiver add, Devontae Booker. At 5'9", 212 lbs, the undrafted free agent out of Colorado State is more of a power back than a speedster. His 4.67 40 time and bottom of the barrel burst score according to PlayerProfiler.com confirms this. He likely won't see much action in anything other than short yardage sets, but Juwan Thompson was the one to vulture a short score against San Diego. Bibbs is not worth adding, but should be a player to watch for Booker owners.
Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) 42% owned - When the Jags signed Ivory to a huge contract this offseason, you would think it would lead to more than four carries in a prime time Thursday night game against a division rival. Ivory has been a victim of a bad offensive line and horrible quarterback play in front of him, crippling the Jaguar running game. There doesn't seem to be much hope for a turnaround this season, making Ivory a TD-dependent option in non-PPR leagues for the time being.
Honorable Mentions: Wendell Smallwood 4% owned, Daniel Lasco (RB, NO) 3% owned, Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) 8% owned, Damien Williams (RB, MIA) 1% owned, Jonathan Williams (RB, BUF) 1% owned, Terron Ward (RB, ATL) 0% owned
Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye
Jordan Howard (RB, CHI) 79% owned - If you are in a shallow league and need to open up a roster spot to add another player, it might be a good time to jettison Howard. He faces Minnesota's defense on Monday Night Football, has a bye next week and then will have Jeremy Langford back to take snaps away. He already shared time equally with Ka'Deem Carey last week and hasn't performed well in consecutive games. Deep league owners shouldn't panic just yet, but he doesn't look like a must-hold either in re-draft.
DeAndre Washington (RB, OAK) 25% owned - Anyone who owns a piece of the Raiders backfield can clearly see that the timeshare situation isn't going away. Latavius Murray led the way for Oakland against Tampa Bay and Washington only carried the ball five times with no receptions. Even Jamize Olawale nearly took as many snaps as Washington. He couldn't take advantage of Murray's two week absence and has done nothing to distinguish himself in this backfield - he should only be owned in dynasty leagues at this point.
Knile Davis (RB, GB) 30% owned - Even with Ty Montgomery unexpectedly out for Week 8, Davis was on the field for a grand total of eight snaps out of 62. It is obvious Davis was signed purely for depth and not to be a replacement for Eddie Lacy. If you're desperate to start a Green Bay running back (why?), then you may as well wait for James Starks to return in a couple of weeks.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
