Week 6 Running Backs - Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

We now enter planning for Week 6, with many of you contending with an agonizing collection of lingering injuries, or disconcerting results from the backs that you originally believed would be your among most dependable performers. While this has been frustrating, it is essential that you manage your emotions, avoid making impulsive decisions, and utilize the abundant resources that we offer at RotoBaller. That will improve your chances of making the most effective roster adjustments due to disappointing performances, production-inhibiting time shares, or injuries.

For the next seven weeks this can also involve replacing any backs that are unavailable during their bye weeks. That factor will apply to anyone who owns Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, or Kerryon Johnson, as the Lions and Saints will be impacted by this process in Week 6. But regardless of why you are now considering your waiver wire options, this article will assist you in locating the best players to target.

These recommended options will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing, and progressing to runners that are available if you are contending with desperation. You will also find a group of backs that can be dropped in order for you to secure your replacements. Here are this week's most viable waiver wire options at the running back position.

Frontrunners - Week 6 Waiver Wire Running Backs

These backs should be your top priorities among the runners that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard. All players have 50% or less ownership in typical fantasy leagues.  

Alfred Morris, San Francisco 49ers - 42% owned

This week's recommendations include several backs who could deliver excellent results at some point during the season, along with other rushers who are currently generating adequate scoring despite the obstacle of shared touches. But Morris supplies one of Week 7's most enticing targets, as he should capture feature back responsibilities in San Francisco's next matchup. The 29-year old back had averaged 13 attempts per game from Weeks 1-3, then only carried four times in Week 4. But after Matt Breida was sidelined with an ankle issue in Week 5, Morris received a season-high 18 carries and generated 91 total yards with his 21 touches. Even though the 49ers will not take the field against Green Bay until Monday night, it currently appears that Breida will have difficulty performing in that contest. This should instantly provide Morris with an extensive workload, and present potential owners with an additional RB2 option for their rosters. As a result, he is among this week’s top targets at the running back position.

Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia Eagles - 3% owned

You may have been hesitant about adding Smallwood to your rosters, even as he accrued touches and assembled yardage due to the ongoing injuries in the Eagles' backfield. Now, he instantly becomes a coveted waiver wire target in the aftermath of news that Jay Ajayi will miss the remainder of the regular season due to his torn ACL. Smallwood amassed 74 yards and a touchdown on eight touches in Week 5, which sustained a weekly process in which he has manufactured respectable numbers, while Philadelphia's other backs were contending with prolonged health issues. Ajayi had been confronted by a back problem, while Darren Sproles (hamstring)  has been absent since Week 1, and Corey Clement’s contributions have been non-existent since Week 3 (quad). Clement appears likely to return for Thursday's matchup with the Giants. But that should not reduce your incentive to seize Smallwood, who has accumulated 35 touches during the team's last four contests (8.8 per game), while retaining health and availability.

Corey Clement, Philadelphia Eagles - 24% owned

The recommendation for seizing Smallwood is not a suggestion that he will operate as a workhorse back, because this is Doug Peterson's offense. As a result, Smallwood should collect an adequate number of touches for potential owners to utilize him, but will also share opportunities with other members of Philadelphia's backfield. While some touches could eventually be siphoned by Sproles and rookie Josh Adams, the most likely scenario is frequent deployment of both Smallwood, and Clement. The second-year back possesses an intriguing blend of size and athleticism that could theoretically result in high quality production, albeit on an inconsistent basis. That still enables Clement to join Morris and Smallwood as this week's top waiver priorities at this crucial position.

D'Onta Foreman, Houston Texans - 20% owned

The second-year back will be eligible to return from the PUP list after this week's matchup, in the next phase of his recovery from the Achilles injury that he suffered last November. It will be easier to secure him if you avoid the rush that will ensue when more  owners become aware of his impending reemergence. During his absence, Lamar Miller has delivered the same uninspiring level of production that we have become accustomed to (3.9 YPC/0 rushing touchdowns), and was sidelined in Week 5 due to a chest injury. Alfred Blue can function as a serviceable replacement for Miller, but does not possess the capabilities of functioning as a highly productive feature back. It's difficult to ascertain how proficiently Foreman can perform immediately upon his return. But Houston's offense could desperately use an infusion of effectiveness from its ground game, and Foreman should eventually be placed in position to make that occur.

In The Running - Week 6 Waiver Wire Running Backs

These backs remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.

Mike Davis, Seattle Seahawks - 19% owned 

This suggestion is not based upon a belief that Pete Carroll will elevate Davis into weekly RB1 responsibilities. Instead, the rationale for adding him is based upon the likelihood that Carroll will also fail to entrust Chris Carson with a consistent feature back role. It now appears that Davis is a legitimate candidate to receive touches on a regular basis, despite the uncertainty that exists with Carroll's preferences for the workload distribution of his backfield. Davis' unexpected emergence into fantasy relevance occurred when he received 25 touches, and proceeded to accrue 124 total yards in Week 4. His favorable usage and output in Week 5 (14 touches/75 total yards/ 1 touchdown) fortified his chances of retaining an ongoing role. Particularly since the essentially forgotten Rashaad Penny did not touch the ball. Davis has emerged as a genuine target for anyone who is searching for a flex option.

Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 25% owned

Jones’ situation is different from fellow first-year back Chubb, in that Jones already has a significant opportunity that has been presented to him, but his ability to capitalize remains in question. He emerged in Week 4, after Dirk Koetter’s lingering reluctance to activate him finally subsided, although he managed just 29 yards on 10 carries (2.9 YPC). While his output was hardly stellar, his competition for touches consists solely of Peyton Barber, who has consistently delivered uninspiring numbers by managing just 148 yards on 50 attempts (3.0 YPC). Barber’s failure to secure Tampa Bay's RB1 responsibilities should result in Jones being allotted a growing percentage of carries. It is possible that neither back will excel, which will result in yet another unwanted time share. Still, there is no see sizable hurdle that will keep Jones from obtaining a desirable workload if he can demonstrate a reasonable level of effectiveness.

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns - 43% owned

Exactly one week ago, Chubb’s ownership percentage was just 18%. But a number of you have wisely reached the conclusion that he is fully capable of generating significant yardage and locating the end zone if he is supplied with more opportunities. Chubb has already demonstrated his potential for high quality results by producing 146 yards and two touchdowns on a minuscule 10 attempts (14.6 YPC) from Weeks 1-4, as his snap count never exceeded 6% (4/5/6/4). This did not translate into an expanded workload in Week 5, as Chubb only received three carries. However, this does not alter Chubb’s status as an exceptional roster stash, and he can be a difference-maker whenever he receives a larger percentage of carries that are currently earmarked for Carlos Hyde. If Chubb is available in your leagues, seize him now.

Dark Horses - Week 6 Waiver Wire Running Backs 

This group consists of 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 or byes.

Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders - 5% owned

While Marshawn Lynch has repeatedly demonstrated that he can still perform effectively as Oakland’s primary rusher, Richard has developed into a consistent pass catching back for the Raiders. He has now been targeted 29 times during the season, which has allowed him to collect 24 receptions, and placed him second on the team in that category behind Jared Cook. Richard has also garnered 6+ catches in three different contests, while eclipsing 50 receiving yards in each of those games. The third-year back will continue to accumulate targets when game scripts force Oakland into catch-up mode, which should occur with frequency as the season progresses. His distinct role in Jon Gruden’s attack should provide potential owners with an enticement to secure him, if their rosters require an additional flex option in PPR leagues.

Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts - 22% owned

You may prefer to avoid even contemplating the addition of an Indianapolis running back, considering the convoluted situation that exists at the position. Nevertheless, while Nyheim Hines has built a legitimate case for including him on rosters in PPR leagues, Jordan Wilkins' value has dropped in lockstep with his usage. This has cleared a path for Mack to attain a sizable role in this complex backfield, since none of the Colt backs possess all of the attributes that are necessary to capture the team's feature back role. Mack has only accumulated 11 touches due to his protected hamstring issue, but he should confiscate more opportunities than Wilkins and Robert Turbin, and is a capable of providing you with a potential flex option when your normal starters are not available.

Frank Gore, Miami Dolphins - 10% owned

It is unusual to advocate adding a 35-year old back who has already accumulated 3,273 carries during his 14-year career. Particularly when his 24-year old teammate appears fully capable of thriving as a feature back if he is presented with the opportunity. However, Miami head coach Adam Gase has been committed to utilizing Gore with enough frequency to warrant considering him as a roster option, while Kenyan Drake has been relegated to a complimentary role. Gore averaged eight attempts per game in Weeks 1-3, but has been entrusted with 23 carries during Miami’s last two contests, while accruing 63 yards (5.3 YPC) in Week 5. Gore has now carried 47 times throughout the season, compared to 39 for Drake, which has been an exasperating experience for Drake owners who deployed an early-round pick on what appeared to be Miami's most proficient back. But there is no indication that Gore's role will diminish any time soon, which elevates him into consideration for owners who need to locate a flex option.

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

These backs can be dropped in order to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.

Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals - 59% owned

This has been a rapid transition from advocating Bernard as a handcuff for Joe Mixon owners, to making him a waiver wire priority during Mixon’s absence (knee), to now recommending that he be discarded. But the progression is actually logical, considering his brief tenure value as a feature back has ended, and must now remain sidelined for misses 2-4 games due to his sprained MCL. His touch total was already on the threshold of a decline with Mixon's returning to the lineup in Week 5. Now, his stock has plummeted even further, as Mark Walton now supplies insurance for Mixon owners while Bernard is unavailable. All of which makes it sensible to replace him with a more valuable alternative.

Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks - 29% owned

It is still feasible to believe that at some point this season, the Seahawks will finally present their first-round draft pick with an opportunity to operate with a sizable workload. But after five games, his stock is trending in an unfavorable direction. After Penny attained double-digit touches in Weeks 1-2, he only received three in Week 3. Then, Davis catapulted above Penny on the depth chart to confiscate 21 of the team's 30 carries in Week 4, and functioned in a time share with Chris Carson in Week 5 - while Penny failed to receive a touch. Even though Penny remains a candidate to eventually obtain a respectable workload, the current situation may not be altered anytime soon. Penny is currently buried below Carson and Davis in Seattle’s running back rotation, which should encourage owners who are contending with roster issues to drop him.

Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis Colts - 19% owned

After watching Wilkins deliver promising performances during the preseason, it appeared that a convergence of factors had presented the rookie with an opportunity to perform an extensive role in an Indianapolis backfield that does not have a categorical feature back. But even though he seems to possess the size and agility to perform with a desirable workload, he has not demonstrated the ability to function as the Colts' primary rusher, which would have enabled him to complement the emerging pass catching presence of Nyheim Hines. Instead, his opportunity and workload have been trending in the wrong direction. After being allotted a team high 14 carries in Week 1, his rushing attempts have diminished (10/6/8/6). This is comparable to the dwindling snap count, as his season high 56% that he registered in Week 1 has also regressed sizably (38%/29%/35%/22%). Wilkins owners should not hesitate to locate a more favorable option.

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