RADIO
Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups for Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream, and stash off waivers.
We have now progressed into reconstructing rosters and planning lineups for Week 11. The numbers that have been assembled by running backs during the first 10 weeks of the season have fueled a variety of emotions for all fantasy managers. Unfortunately, some of you have been contending with underwhelming results due to injuries, inefficient performances, and production-inhibiting committees.
The unwelcome process of managing bye weeks also continues, which will fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire. That will impact players from four different teams this week -- Atlanta, Indianapolis, New England, and New Orleans. This ensures that anyone with Jonathan Taylor, Zack Moss, Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Rhamondre Stevenson, or Alvin Kamara contained on their rosters will have to avoid starting those backs this week.
The recommendations in this week's article will appear in three tiers, beginning with the most enticing and progressing to options for managers who are 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 have finished this breakdown, you can explore all of this week's fantasy football waiver wire pickups that are designed to help you maximize the scoring potential of your rosters.
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Upcoming NFL Bye Weeks
- Week 11: Atlanta, Indianapolis, New England, New Orleans
- Week 13: New York Giants, Buffalo, Baltimore, Chicago, Minnesota, Las Vegas
- Week 14: Arizona, Washington
Frontrunners - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires.
Devin Singletary, Houston Texans - 42% Rostered
Dameon Pierce failed to reemerge in Houston’s backfield rotation during the Texans’ Week 10 matchup with Cincinnati, as his problematic ankle sidelined him for a second consecutive game.
This launched Devin Singletary into lead-back duties, as the fifth-year back accumulated a season-high 61 snaps. He also stockpiled 150 rushing yards and 30 attempts, established new career highs in both categories, and also generated a six-yard touchdown.
Singletary has now accrued 267 snaps since Week 1, including 116 during Pierce’s absence. Singletary has led Houston’s backfield with 126 routes since Week 1, after running 23 in Week 10. He is also pacing the backfield in targets (15) and receptions (11) entering the Texans’ Week 11 matchup with Arizona.
Pierce is now averaging 3.0 yards per attempt entering Week 11, with averages ranging from 2.1-3.8 per attempt during his seven games this season. His consistent inefficiency could combine with Singletary’s Week 10 performance to vault Singletary into a sustained role as Houston’s RB1 during the Texans' remaining matchups. He is still available in 50% of all leagues but will be a popular roster addition this week.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens - 47% Rostered
Keaton Mitchell was only rostered in 4% of all leagues entering Week 9. That percentage has increased considerably as he has delivered two highly productive outings since he was integrated into Baltimore’s backfield rotation.
Mitchell has now accumulated 26 snaps, which has provided an opportunity for the Ravens’ newest dynamic weapon to place his home-run capabilities on display. Mitchell led all backs with 138 yards on just nine attempts during his initial performance in Week 9, while averaging 15.3 yards per attempt. Mitchell also generated a league-best two runs of 40+ yards, which included a 40-yard touchdown.
Mitchell built upon that statistical success by maximizing his four touches when the Ravens hosted AFC North rival Cleveland in Week 10. He erupted for a 39-yard touchdown, while also assembling 32 yards on a reception.
Mitchell will continue to share opportunities with Gus Edwards and Justice Hill. However, his potential to erupt for big plays is incorporated into every touch that is allocated to the explosive rookie.
He remains attainable in nearly 50% of all leagues. However, his availability will evaporate as he is prioritized among this week’s top targets from the waiver wire.
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings - 6% Rostered
Cam Akers had averaged 11.3 touches and 41.3 total yards per game from Weeks 7-9 before he sustained a torn Achilles that ended his season. That has fueled a transformation of Minnesota’s depth chart, which includes the ascension of Ty Chandler into an expanded role.
The second-year back had only accumulated 34 snaps, eight rushing attempts, and 42 rushing yards from Weeks 1-9. However, his involvement increased when the Vikings hosted New Orleans in Week 10. Chandler played on 32 snaps, carried 15 times, and led the Vikings with 45 rushing yards while also generating his first career touchdown.
Alexander Mattison accumulated 33 snaps before sustaining a concussion in the third quarter. He had only manufactured 27 yards with his eight carries prior to the injury, as Chandler provided the Vikings with a burst that was lacking when Mattison operated with the ball. Chandler has now secured standalone value following his performance. He could also operate as Minnesota's RB1 during the Vikings' Week 11 matchup at Denver if Mattison is unavailable.
Chandler's path toward commandeering a sizable role in Minnesota’s restructured rotation is now navigable regardless of Mattison's status. That elevates Chandler among this week’s most viable roster additions.
In The Running - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs remain available on the waiver wire and could become resources for your rosters.
D'Onta Foreman, Chicago Bears – 61% Rostered
D'Onta Foreman has now accumulated 351 rushing yards since Week 6 (70.2 per game), which places him third among all backs. He has also carried 81 times during his last five matchups (16.2 per game), including 20+ in each of his last two outings.
That includes Foreman’s usage and output when the Bears hosted Carolina in Week 10, as Foreman assembled 80 yards with his 21 attempts. It had appeared that Khalil Herbert might reemerge for his first snaps since sustaining a high ankle sprain in Week 5.
However, Herbert was not activated from injured reserve, which extended his absence to a fifth consecutive game. That launched Foreman into another extensive workload while expanding his snap total to 167 since Week 6, Roschon Johnson has played on 69 snaps since resurfacing from concussion protocol in Week 8, and Darrynton Evans has accrued 85 since Week 6.
Foreman’s ability to stockpile yardage should keep him highly involved in the distribution of touches within Chicago’s backfield rotation even after Herbert reappears in the lineup. It also supplies the incentive for adding Foreman in leagues where he remains available.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans 40% Rostered
Tyjae Spears remains available in 60% of all leagues, even though he would become a valuable roster asset if he operates with an extensive workload during the upcoming weeks.
The dynamic rookie is still the clear RB2 behind Derrick Henry in Tennessee’s backfield rotation, although this has not precluded Spears from eclipsing a 52% snap share in seven different matchups.
Spears has also accumulated 274 snaps from Weeks 1-10, including the 38 that he accrued when the Titans traveled to Tampa Bay in Week 10. Spears has also assembled 234 rushing yards with his 44 attempts (5.3 yards per attempt) entering Week 11.
He led the Titans’ backfield in routes (19), targets (five), and receptions (four) in Week 10. He also produced 42 receiving yards, which was the second time that he has eclipsed 40+ this season. Spears is also pacing Tennessee’s backfield in routes (160), targets (35), and receptions (26) since Week 1.
Spears’ big-play capabilities would become a critical factor for fantasy managers if Henry were sidelined for any reason, as Spears would deliver RB1 output if that scenario developed. That provides the incentive for adding him this week.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks - 44% Rostered
Zach Charbonnet remains one of the most compelling backs that is contained on the majority of waiver wires. He possesses the ability to perform effectively in each facet that is critical towards securing an every-down role, and his involvement in Seattle’s offense has been expanding.
Charbonnet has played on 103 snaps from Weeks 8-10, which exceeds the 86 snaps that Kenneth Walker has accumulated during those matchups. Charbonnet has also secured a higher snap total than Walker in all three games during that span.
Charbonnet has also carried 15 times while generating 105 rushing yards during that three-game sequence. The promising rookie has also paced the backfield with 68 routes run, which also surpasses Walker’s total of 33.
Charbonnet also maintains enticing proximity to a substantial workload if Walker should become unavailable for any reason during the upcoming weeks. Charbonnet is also capable of thriving if that scenario transpires. That sustains his presence among this week's top priorities from the waiver wire.
Dark Horses - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs
These backs should be considered if you are searching for players who could eventually emerge in your lineups.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys - 4% Rostered
For the sake of clarity, this is not a suggestion that Rico Dowdle presents an imminent threat to Tony Pollard’s role as the Cowboys’ lead back. However, Dowdle has emerged as a viable roster stash, as he could earn a larger percentage of touches while operating in a rotation with Pollard.
Dowdle was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft and entered the 2023 regular season with just 19 snaps, seven carries, and 24 rushing yards from 2020-2022.
He has now accumulated 119 snaps (19.8% share), from Weeks 1-10, while generating 212 rushing yards with his 47 attempts (4.5 yards per attempt). Dowdle also performed effectively in Week 10 while establishing career highs in rushing attempts (12), and rushing yards (79), and averaging 6.6 yards per attempt.
Pollard’s disappointing numbers this season have been well-chronicled, as his explosiveness has seemingly evaporated. Pollard’s yards per game average has also declined when contrasted with 2022 (58.8/62.9), even though is averaging three additional carries per game more this season (15.0/12.1).
Dowdle is available in 96% of all leagues and could garner an increased role in the Cowboys’ potent attack. That supplies the incentive to seize him this week.
Leonard Fournette, Buffalo Bills - 24% Rostered
Leonard Fournette’s availability has increased during the past week, even though he looms as a legitimate threat to surpass 33-year-old Latavius Murray on Buffalo’s depth chart.
Fournette remains on the Bills’ practice squad after signing with the team in late October. However, that could change prior to Buffalo’s Monday night matchup with Denver. He is capable of securing a consistent role while accumulating rushing attempts, including coveted opportunities in the red zone.
Fournette’s history of effectiveness as a pass catcher could also fuel his involvement as a receiving weapon. He eclipsed 83+ targets during each of his last two seasons with Tampa Bay (2021-2022), while finishing among the top four running backs in targets (83/5.2 per game), receptions (73/4.6 per game), and receiving yards (523/32.7 per game) last season.
Fournette would also warrant consideration as an RB3/flex option if he ascends into the Bills' backfield rotation. That presents an opportunity to include him among your waiver wire targets this week, as he remains available in nearly 75% of all leagues.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers - 17% Rostered
This week’s waiver wire contains several backs whose stock has risen significantly following their matchups in Week 10. There are also several others who could become valuable assets for fantasy managers who are positioned to exercise patience after stashing them this week. That includes Elijah Mitchell, whose role as San Francisco’s RB2 places him directly below Christian McCaffrey on the 49ers’ depth chart.
It also leaves Mitchell primed to operate with a substantial workload if McCaffrey is sidelined for any reason. Kyle Shanahan has consistently demonstrated his trust in Mitchell since he catapulted atop San Francisco’s depth chart at the onset of his 2021 rookie season. Mitchell capitalized by finishing fifth overall with an average of 87.5 yards per game during that first season. He also finished eighth with 963 yards despite being sidelined for five games with multiple injuries (shoulder/finger/knee).
Mitchell also averaged 6.2 yards per attempt during 2022. He is also the only 49er running back beyond McCaffrey who has accumulated touches since Week 7 this season, including the eight that he accrued in Week 10.
Mitchell is only rostered in 17% of all leagues but would operate as an RB2 for managers if McCaffrey becomes unavailable during any of San Francisco’s upcoming matchups.
Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams - 34% Rostered
The argument can be made that Darrell Henderson is now a viable drop candidate, as Kyren Williams will soon resurface following his placement on injured reserve (ankle). However, Williams will not return before Week 12, and many managers are attempting to navigate multiple issues that have depleted options at running back in Week 11.
That is the rationale for sustaining Henderson as a potential roster addition for one additional week. Particularly if you have been confronted with the absence of Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Bijan Robinson, or Rhamondre Stevenson due to Week 11 byes.
Henderson leads the Rams backfield with 98 snaps since Week 7, while also pacing Los Angeles with 40 rushing attempts and accruing 111 yards on the ground. Henderson has also run 42 routes since ascending into his current role while leading the backfield in targets (seven) and receiving yards (75).
Williams’ absence in Week 11 will sustain Henderson’s role as the Rams’ lead back when Los Angeles hosts NFC West rival Seattle on Sunday. It also presents Henderson as a one-week solution for anyone who is desperate to locate a starting back.
Also - It Is Time To Say Goodbye
These running backs can be dropped to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.
Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers - 69% Rostered
The Panthers signed Miles Sanders to a four-year contract last March, but that has not precluded the team from relegating him to an infinitesimal workload in recent weeks.
Sanders was restricted to just two rushing attempts when Carolina traveled to Chicago in Week 10. He has only carried twice during two of his last three outings and has now averaged 4.3 attempts per game since Week 5. He has also been limited to 66 rushing yards (16.5 per game) during that span while failing to exceed 39 yards in any of his matchups.
Chuba Hubbard continued to operate as Carolina’s primary back in Week 10 while leading the backfield with 30 snaps. Sanders played on 23 snaps and easily trails Hubbard in snaps since Week 4. (233/115). Sanders ran 19 routes in Week 10 while collecting both of his targets. However, he has now registered just eight targets, five receptions, and 37 receiving yards since Week 5.
While it is conceivable that Sanders might regain a percentage of the touches that have been confiscated by Hubbard, that should not deter you from making more effective use of your critical roster spot.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens - 33% Rostered
Justice Hill was already functioning in a production-inhibiting rotation with Gus Edwards, even before Keaton Mitchell’s meteoric rise to relevance. Now, Mitchell’s ability to capitalize on his opportunities has reshaped the backfield equation, while eliminating the primary factor that sustained Hill’s viability as a flex option.
Hill played on 14 snaps in Week 10, which was his second-lowest total of the season. He had also been averaging 7.3 carries and 31.4 rushing yards per game entering Week 10. However, he was limited to just two rushing attempts and only manufactured seven yards when the Ravens hosted Cleveland, which established season lows in both categories. Hill also failed to register a target for the first time since Week 4.
Edwards led Baltimore’s backfield in snaps during Week 10 (28), while Mitchell accumulated 13. Mitchell’s involvement should minimally be sustained and could easily increase due to his play-making capabilities.
Hill’s diminished usage and output should compel you to extract him from your roster while locating a more favorable option from this week’s waiver wire.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears - 30% Rostered
There were tangible reasons to believe that Roschon Johnson was ascending toward capturing a sizable role within Chicago’s backfield rotation earlier in the regular season.
Johnson secured season-highs in snap share (45%), rushing attempts (eight), and rushing yards (38) in Week 3, and also accumulated 47 routes from Weeks 1-4. Unfortunately, he played on just six snaps in Week 5 before sustaining a concussion.
Khalil Herbert also suffered a high ankle sprain during the same Week 5 matchup. Herbert’s placement on injured reserve seemingly created an opportunity for Johnson to commandeer an extensive workload while Herbert remained unavailable.
However, Johnson remained in concussion protocol during the Bears’ matchups in Weeks 6-7, which propelled D’Onta Foreman into RB1 responsibilities. Foreman has capitalized by eclipsing 80+ rushing yards during three of his four matchups since Week 7, while also generating three touchdowns.
Herbert could be infused into Chicago’s backfield rotation when the Bears visit Detroit on Sunday. His reemergence and Foreman’s continued effectiveness should keep that tandem involved in a rotation while obstructing Johnson’s path toward a favorable workload. That justifies removing him from your rosters.
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