RADIO
We are rapidly approaching the fantasy postseason and many of you have embraced the production that has been delivered by your running backs. Unfortunately, an increasing number of you have been negatively impacted by injuries to runners that are contained on your rosters. This certainly applies to anyone who has been depending on Christian McCaffrey or Dalvin Cook, as both players joined the list of backs who have been sidelined by health issues.
There are also just two bye weeks remaining, although the absence of players from the eight teams involved will incentivize many of you to locate alternative options on the waiver wire. That includes the four teams that will be affected this week - Carolina, Cleveland, Green Bay, and Tennessee. This ensures that anyone with McCaffrey, Chuba Hubbard, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, D'Onta Foreman, or Dontrell Hilliard will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
Regardless of why you are considering your waiver wire options, this week’s recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners for anyone who is struggling with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be dropped in order for you to secure your replacements. After you've finished this breakdown, you can also find news updates and data-fueled analysis that is designed to help you maximize the scoring potential of your rosters.
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Remaining Bye Week Schedule
- Week 13: Carolina, Cleveland, Green Bay, Tennessee
- Week 14: Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Philadelphia
Week 12 Rushing Leaders
| Week 12 | Team | Attempts | Yards | YPC | TDs |
| Joe Mixon | Cincinnati | 28 | 165 | 5.9 | 2 |
| Elijah Mitchell | San Francisco | 27 | 133 | 4.9 | 1 |
| Dontrell Hilliard | Tennessee | 12 | 131 | 10.9 | 1 |
| D'Onta Foreman | Tennessee | 19 | 109 | 5.7 | 0 |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | Atlanta | 16 | 108 | 6.8 | 2 |
| Leonard Fournette | Tampa Bay | 17 | 100 | 5.9 | 3 |
| Josh Jacobs | Las Vegas | 22 | 87 | 4 | 1 |
| James Robinson | Jacksonville | 17 | 86 | 5.1 | 0 |
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis | 16 | 83 | 5.2 | 1 |
| Melvin Gordon | Denver | 17 | 83 | 4.9 | 0 |
| A.J. Dillon | Green Bay | 20 | 69 | 3.5 | 0 |
| Tevin Coleman | New York Jets | 16 | 67 | 4.2 | 0 |
| Jamaal Williams | Detroit | 15 | 65 | 4.3 | 0 |
| Boston Scott | Philadelphia | 15 | 64 | 4.3 | 1 |
| Miles Sanders | Philadelphia | 9 | 64 | 7.1 | 0 |
Frontrunners - Running Backs to Pickup in Week 13
These backs should be your top waiver wire pickup priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings - 49% Rostered
The concept of securing Mattison as protection for your roster if Dalvin Cook were to be sidelined for any reason has been a consistent recommendation in this column for anyone who depends on Cook as their primary back. This strategy of deploying Mattison as a handcuff gained added significance after Cook experienced a dislocated shoulder during Minnesota’s Week 12 matchup in San Francisco.
This situation transpired during the third quarter of the Vikings’ matchup, and Mattison ascended into Cook’s usual role as the centerpiece of Minnesota’s rushing attack.
Dalvin Cook managers are sick ? pic.twitter.com/Du2AsK34Ui
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 28, 2021
He generated 21 yards and a touchdown with his seven attempts and will operate with a massive workload during Cook’s absence. Mattison also carried 51 times and accumulated 225 (4.4 yards per attempt). when he vaulted into Cook’s workhorse role earlier this season (Weeks 3/5), while also collecting 13 of his 15 targets, and generating 99 receiving yards. Mattison's ability to thrive with an extensive touch total has made him the primary target on this week’s waiver wire. He can also be utilized as an RB1 by anyone who seizes him for their rosters.
Chuba Hubbard / Ameer Abdullah, Carolina Panthers
37% Rostered / 0% Rostered
After Christian McCaffrey resurfaced as Carolina’s lead back in Week 9, Hubbard was relegated to 16 touches, while his snap share was 14.2% in Weeks 9-11. He also failed to register a touch in Week 11, while being limited to just two when Carolina visited Miami in Week 12.
Chuba Hubbard punches it in for 6!
?: FOX pic.twitter.com/PwhWXIgaCA
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 31, 2021
Hubbard’s minimal involvement removed any questions surrounding his ability to retain standalone value with McCaffrey operating as the Panthers’ workhorse back. However, he has become a high-priority roster addition in the aftermath of McCaffrey's season-ending ankle injury. McCaffrey had assembled 35 rushing yards on 10 attempts before he encountered the issue in Week 12, while Hubbard carried twice, and manufactured six yards during the matchup.
The placement of McCaffrey on injured s/reserve has insure that Hubbard will now receive a sizable workload throughout the Panthers' remaining schedule. It is likely that he will operate in a rotation with Ameer Abdullah, who has accrued 34 touches and 177 total yards since Week 8. Fantasy managers can also pursue Abdullah on this week's waiver wire, as he should collect targets while functioning as a flex option in PPR leagues. However, Hubbard has vaulted near the top of this week's top priorities.
Matt Breida, Buffalo Bills- 23% Rostered
Breida had been limited to an 8.4% snap share from Weeks 1-9, but the fifth-year back’s escalating role includes a 32% share during Buffalo’s last two contests. Breida has accumulated 17 attempts since Week 10 while generating 105 rushing yards during those contests. He has also collected six of seven targets and produced 67 yards as a pass-catcher during that three-game span.
.@MattBreida got loose!
?: @nbc pic.twitter.com/jMf4rQJH7Z
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 26, 2021
That includes his usage and output when Buffalo traveled to New Orleans in Week 12, as Breida garnered a season-high nine rushing attempts and reached 55+ total yards for the second consecutive outing.
Breida was operating in a rotation with Devin Singletary during the matchup, while Zack Moss was a healthy inactive. Breida has performed sufficiently to sustain his recent involvement in the Bills’ backfield, which should compel fantasy managers to target him this week. He is currently available in 77% of all leagues and can function as a flex option on your rosters.
In The Running - More Running Backs to Pickup
These are more running backs to pick up for Week 12 and remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions - 39% Rostered
The five-year veteran averaged 12.4 touches per game from Weeks 1-7 before his problematic thigh sidelined him in Weeks 8 and 10. Williams resurfaced when Detroit visited Cleveland in Week 11, but only managed 11 yards with his seven attempts.
Jamaal Williams is IN. @Lions make it a two-point game.
?: #BALvsDET on CBS
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/obCGhRx81M— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2021
Williams’ role expanded significantly on Thanksgiving Day, as his 63% snap share established a new season-high. He also led the Lions with a season-best 15 attempts, while also generating 65 yards on the ground during his matchup with Chicago. He also captured all five of his targets and assembled 18 yards as a receiver.
D’Andre Swift was restricted to 10 snaps, three carries, and three targets during the contest before a shoulder sprain forced him to the sideline. Swift’s health should be monitored, as Williams would operate with lead back duties if Swift is unavailable for Sunday’s NFC North matchup with Minnesota. Williams should still retain a respectable role within Detroit’s attack even if Swift resurfaces in the lineup. That should persuade you to secure him if he is available in your leagues.
Dontrell Hilliard/D'Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans - Hilliard 29% Rostered/Foreman 46% Rostered
Hilliard and Foreman operated in a two-man backfield during Tennessee’s Week 12 matchup, due to the combination of Jeremy McNichols' absence (concussion), and the Titans’ decision to waive Adrian Peterson. Hilliard easily attained new career highs in carries (12), and rushing yards (131), while also exploding for a 68-yard touchdown.
DONTRELL HILLIARD. 68 YARDS! @D_Hilliard26 #Titans
?: #TENvsNE on CBS
?: NFL app pic.twitter.com/2i9wk9EoIu— NFL (@NFL) November 28, 2021
Hilliard had not registered a touch prior to Week 11, but the fourth-year back has now accumulated 19 carries and 166 yards on the ground, while also assembling nine receptions and 49 yards as a receiving weapon during Tennessee’s last two contests. Foreman also accrued the most attempts (19), and rushing yards (109) of his career when the Titans traveled to New England. The 25-year old and has now generated 193 rushing yards with his 42 carries since he was signed on November 2.
The usage for both backs could be modified after the Titans return from their Week 13 bye, as McNichols should re-enter the equation. However, Hilliard and Foreman are both viable flex options who could deliver timely contributions to your rosters in Week 14.
Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles - 19% Rostered
Scott was limited to four offensive snaps from Weeks 1-6 and did not register a carry until Week 7. However, he has now accrued 261 rushing yards on 54 attempts, since Week 8 while benefitting significantly from the Eagles’ transition toward an extensive reliance on their rushing attack.
Scott also accumulated 64 rushing yards on 15 carries during Philadelphia’s NFC East matchup with the Giants in Week 12. Jordan Howard was unavailable for the game, as he is still recovering from his knee sprain. This elevated Scott into a rotation with Miles Sanders, who also encountered an ankle issue during the contest
Giants killer Boston Scott! ??
7 career TDs vs Giants in 5 games
Most TDs per game ratio against Giants in Eagles history
pic.twitter.com/Axrqj5GVNg— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 28, 2021
Howard was sixth among all backs in rushing yards (274/68.5 per game) from Weeks 8-11, 12th in rushing attempts (51/12.8 per game) and should regain a sizable workload role upon his return.
The health of Sanders and Howard should be monitored as the week progresses. However, that should not deter you from pursuing Scott if roster challenges have you scrambling to locate a viable RB3/flex option this week.
Dark Horses - Deeper Waiver Wire Running Backs
This group consists of waiver wire running backs that can be added if you are willing to wait for the possibility of a larger role during the year, or consider your situation to be desperate due to injuries.
Tevin Coleman, New York Jets - 18% Rostered
Michael Carter’s ankle injury has prompted the Jets to restructure their backfield rotation, and Coleman became the primary beneficiary when New York traveled to Houston.
Tevin Coleman takes it to the edge and makes it goal-to-go pic.twitter.com/HI99eu1DpI
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) November 28, 2021
Coleman led the Jets in rushing attempts (16) and rushing yardage (67) and established new season highs in each category. Coleman’s Week 12 production should not be ignored in this column, although his inclusion is delivered with several caveats.
Austin Walter WITH HIS FIRST CAREER TD!!!!
(Via @nyjets)pic.twitter.com/rVWm7qcJUc
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 28, 2021
Third-year back Austin Walter surprisingly generated 38 yards and a touchdown on nine carries - just one day after being added from the practice squad. It is likely that he flashed sufficiently during his performance to earn additional opportunities. Ty Johnson also sustained a role in the matchup (6 carries/42 rushing yards), and it is reasonable to expect a congested backfield when the Jets host Philadelphia on Sunday.
Coleman is still available in over 80% of all leagues and can be deployed as a flex option. However, his Week 13 results may not approach the numbers that he attained against the Texans.
Tony Jones Jr., New Orleans Saints - 25% Rostered
Jones has resurfaced as a prospective roster addition for anyone who is searching for a flex option in your deeper leagues. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Saints in 2020 but remained outside the fantasy radar until his promising preseason efforts were followed by his performance in Week 1. Jones carried 11 times and generated 50 yards during the season opener, but was limited to 27 yards on eight attempts from Weeks 2-4. He also encountered an ankle injury that forced his absence from Weeks 5-10.
Are we SURE Tony Jones Jr isn’t going to split work with Mark Ingram?
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) November 21, 2021
However, Jones recaptured a critical role for the Saints in Week 12 when Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II were sidelined by knee injuries. Jones accumulated 16 carries, but only manufactured 27 yards and did not receive a target. However, Ty Montgomery was the only other back to accrue touches (6). Jones’ workload as a rusher would remain favorable if Kamara and Ingram are absent for Sunday’s matchup with Dallas, and he could also retain a role if both backs are active. All of which vaults him among this week’s recommended options.
Time To Say Goodbye - Running Backs To Drop
These are running backs to drop or cut from fantasy rosters in order to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills - 62% Rostered
The increasing congestion within Buffalo’s backfield was already building a tangible case for fantasy managers to drop Moss prior to Week 12. However, any trace of trepidation concerning the removal of Moss has been eliminated after he became a healthy scratch when the Bills visited New Orleans.
Moss had averaged 10.8 attempts, and 41.6 rushing yards per game from Weeks 1-6, and was also averaging 2.8 targets and 18.2 receiving yards per game during that span. However, those averages plunged to 4.3 attempts, 12.7 rushing yards, 1.7 targets, and 6.0 receiving yards per game from Weeks 9-11. His snap share had also dropped from 54.3% in Weeks 1-8 to 33.9% from Week 9-11.
Matt Breida did not register a touch from Weeks 2-9 but has now accrued 23 during the Bills’ last three matchups. Devin Singletary has accumulated 31 carries and 14 targets since Week 9 while joining Breida as the primary components in Buffalo’s restructured rotation. The enormous plunge in Moss’s stock since Week 9 provides a massive incentive to jettison him from your roster this week.
Mike Davis, Atlanta Falcons- 51% Rostered
The modest usage of Davis continued during Atlanta’s Week 12 matchup with Jacksonville, as he carried five times, and manufactured just 16 yards. He has now averaged 4.0 attempts per game since Week 10 while being relegated to only 35 yards during that span. Davis did produce 25 yards with his three receptions, although Cordarrelle Patterson is cemented as the Falcon’s RB1. Patterson established new career highs in rushing attempts (16), and rushing yardage (108), while also generating 27 yards as a receiver.
Wayne Gallman also remained involved in the touch distribution (4 carries/19 rushing yards), while representing yet another threat to reduce the restricted workload of Davis even further. Qadree Ollison also led Atlanta in carries (9) and rushing yardage (34) in Week 11 but was unavailable due to an illness in Week 12. However, he also looms as a candidate to siphon Davis’ remaining touches.
Davis will be functioning in a crowded backfield that will be led by Patterson. That ensures a continuation of his constrained usage while providing the incentive to drop him.
Trey Sermon, San Francisco 49ers - 19% Rostered
Sermon was carted from the field when San Francisco hosted Minnesota in Week 12. However, fantasy managers had been presented with compelling evidence that he should not be rostered even before that unfortunate occurrence, as Sermon has been included among the drop recommendations in this column on multiple occasions.
39 of Sermon’s 41 carries were accrued during the three games in which Elijah Mitchell has been inactive (Weeks 3/4/11). That included the sequence from Weeks 5-10 when Sermon registered just one touch. Sermon did carry 10 times when the 49ers traveled to Jacksonville in Week 11, while Mitchell was sidelined with a finger issue. However, Jeff Wilson Jr. functioned as San Francisco’s workhorse back during that contest (19 attempts), while Deebo Samuel was also deployed by Kyle Shanahan in the backfield (8 carries).
Sermon did not receive a touch in Week 11 as Mitchell returned from his finger issue. Wilson and Samuel combined for eight rushing attempts, while Sermon’s injury was incurred during a punt return. His status is uncertain, but he is not a trustworthy resource for fantasy managers regardless of his health.
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