RADIO
Several hot players who were languishing on waivers just a week or two ago have now exceeded the 50% threshold for this column. Hopefully you took a chance on Jay Ajayi or Jacquizz Rodgers when they were available.
Mike Gillislee is currently at 51%, so he won't get a write-up here, but remains a viable pickup with LeSean McCoy still experiencing hamstring issues. As far as the running backs still owned in less than half of leagues, this week features more speculative adds than surefire studs.
This article will aim to highlight Week 8 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 8 waiver wire recommendations, for all fantasy-relevant positions. Just click on any link: ALL - RB - WR - TE - QB - DEF - FAAB - CUTS
Frontrunners for Week 8 - 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.
Devontae Booker (RB, DEN) - 27% owned - While didn't earn the "Gruden Grinder" award like C.J. Anderson, Booker saw nearly as many snaps on Monday Night Football and was almost as productive. Booker carried the 17 times for 83 yards and a touchdown, compared to 16 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown for Anderson. At this point, both backs are worth starting. Booker should be universally owned - if he is available in your league, don't wait any longer and don't hesitate to use waiver priority.
Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) - 11% owned - Matt Jones' lost fumble turned into Chris Thompson's repeated gains. Jones fumbled straight into the end zone on a goal-line opportunity and only saw 10 carries on the day as a result. Thompson then saw a jump in carries, turning 12 runs into 73 yards. His main asset is his pass-catching ability, which makes him valuable in PPR leagues. He caught seven passes for 40 yards this game and will continue to maintain the third-down role regardless. He isn't a high-end prospect, having played as a backup for the last three seasons. Still, Thompson has a strong 5.4 Y/A for his career and could parlay this opportunity into some value for deep league PPR owners.
C.J. Prosise (RB, SEA) - 2% owned - The Seahawks were eager enough to get Prosise on the field that they deactivated recent acquisition C.J. Spiller for Week 7 and only gave one carry to backup Alex Collins. The third-round pick out of Notre Dame didn't see much action, carrying the ball once for no gain and catching two passes for 17 yards. This was his first regular season game, so he could become more active the next couple of weeks. Christine Michael has slowed down lately, averaging under four yards per carry in three straight games while being held under 70 yards rushing in each. Thomas Rawls won't be back any time soon, so Prosise could join Michael in a committee approach for an easy matchup against the Saints next week.
In The Running - Week 8 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.
Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) 49% owned - Ivory only carried the ball five times on Sunday, but that was more a result of game flow. T.J. Yeldon only carried the ball six times as the Jags just couldn't muster any offense. Ivory did rip off a 47 yard run, but did nothing on his remaining carries. He is still worth a stash in standard leagues, assuming Jacksonville doesn't look this bad the rest of the year.
Knile Davis (RB, GB) 36% owned - The presumed new starting RB for Green Bay only carried the ball three times and managed to end up with -1 yard on Thursday. To be fair, he only had a couple of days to prepare for his debut in a Packers uniform. Then again, he boasts a 3.3 Y/A for his career in the same Kansas City offense where Jamaal Charles averages 5.5 Y/A for his career and Spencer Ware 5.4. Don't expect too much from Davis other than the occasional short TD plunge. Ty Montgomery seemed well-suited to the backfield and could very well take over the job full-time.
Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) 9% owned - Yes, I'm still stumping for D-Wash (the Detroit one). He was expected to play this week, but needed a bit more time to recover from a bum ankle. Justin Forsett hasn't done anything to hold onto the job and Theo Riddick remains out, so next week could be Washington's chance to shine. If you miss out on some of the other names listed above, he isn't the worst speculative add.
Honorable Mentions: Kenneth Dixon (RB, BAL) 14% owned, Wendell Smallwood 5% owned, Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) 30% owned, Matt Asiata (RB, MIN) 20% owned
Dark Horses - Week 8 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.
Ka'Deem Carey (RB, CHI) 2% owned - Carey surprisingly outsnapped Jordan Howard in Thursday night's loss at Green Bay. He had slightly more success too, running for 48 yards on 10 carries. He shouldn't be a threat to Howard's starting job, but could be worked into the rotation more frequently to spell the rookie. Carey has been lightly used in his first two and a half seasons, with just 102 carries for his career, but he is posting a nice 4.7 Y/A so far this season. He is a modest handcuff for Howard.
Rob Kelley (RB, WAS) 1% owned - Kelley also saw some time after Matt Jones entered the dog house with his fumbling ways and produced a receiving touchdown. Kelley only carried the ball four times for 15 yards, but has shown some potential when given the chance. He isn't worth owning at the moment, but could emerge as a popular addition if Jones or Thompson suffer an injury.
Zach Zenner (RB, DET) 1% owned - Zenner found the end zone on a goal-line play, ending his day with nine carries for 29 yards. He won't rip off many long runs and should be viewed strictly as a short yardage back. The Lions could get Theo Riddick and/or Dwayne Washington back next week, rendering Zenner a goal-line vulture at best.
Honorable Mentions: Damien Williams (RB, MIA) 0% owned, Alfred Morris (RB, DAL) 11% owned, Shaun Draughn (RB, SF) 3% owned, DeAndre Washington (RB, OAK) 29% owned, Peyton Barber (RB, TB) 0% owned
Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye
Arian Foster (RB, MIA) 64% owned - Foster surprisingly announced his retirement on Monday evening, just before kickoff of the game featuring his former team, the Texans. He had effectively lost the starting RB job to Jay Ajayi and simply could not stay healthy. Never one to value the game over his own well-being, Foster decided the time was right to walk away, which nobody can blame him for. Drop him immediately in any league where he might be rostered and take a chance on any of the running backs mentioned in this article above.
Eddie Lacy (RB, GB) 66% owned - Lacy is officially on IR, meaning he will miss eight weeks at a minimum. There aren't many scenarios in which you need to hold onto him unless you have a ton of bench spots in your league. Lacy was averaging 5.1 Y/A, but hadn't reached the end zone in five games this season.
Derrick Henry (RB, TEN) 46% owned - Let's face it, Henry isn't going to see the field unless Murray gets seriously hurt. Against a soft Indianapolis defense, Henry only saw two carries and one target. He showed stone hands on an easy drop late in the game, which won't go far to earn him any additional work. If you're a lucky Murray owner, you should definitely be holding on as an insurance policy. If you are a standard league owner who drafted him as a lottery ticket, you can probably move on at this point.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
