Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 11

November 18, 2020

Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups before Week 11.

Fantasy GMs are to be commended for rising to the unique challenges that have unfolded during this regular season. Injuries to critical players is an unwelcome reality that occurs every year. This is also the case for backs that were expected to operate as RB1s, but have been relegated to committees. However, this season has required a new level of flexibility to also absorb the COVID-related postponements and ongoing potential for adjusted schedules.

Bye weeks have also been impactful in lineup decisions, and that process continues this week. Players from the Bills, Bears, 49ers, and Giants will be unavailable due to their byes. This ensures that anyone with Zack Moss, Devin Singletary, Wayne Gallman, David Montgomery, or any 49er running backs on their rosters will have to avoid starting them in their Week 11 lineups. It also will provide managers with an additional factor that could fuel interest in locating alternative options on the waiver wire.

These recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing and progressing to runners for anyone that 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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Frontrunners - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs

These backs should be your top priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard. All players have 60% or less ownership in typical fantasy leagues.

Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins

5% rostered

FIRST TD FOR @AhmedSalvon ?

? @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/h9gcVUF4uq

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 15, 2020

Myles Gaskin began the season far outside the fantasy landscape, as Jordan Howard and Matt Breida were expected to share the workload within Miami’s backfield. However, Gaskin emerged to commandeer the Dolphins’ RB1 responsibilities (18 touches/83.6 total yards per game). This dramatically reduced the roles for Howard and Breida, while removing all incentive for fantasy GMs to include them on their rosters. But Gaskins' placement on injured reserve (knee) has transformed the composition of Miami’s backfield.

It has also provided Ahmed with the opportunity to secure his place among this week’s top waiver targets at the running back position, following his performance in Week 10. Breida was inactive for a second consecutive week (hamstring), while Howard became a healthy scratch for the fourth time since Week 5. But Ahmed stockpiled a team-high 21 rushing attempts, established a new career-high in rushing yards (86), and also generated his first touchdown during Miami’s matchup with the Chargers. Ahmed should remain highly involved in the ground game after Breida re-emerges from his injury, and could easily have solidified his status as Miami’s RB1. This propels him atop the list of backs to target on Week 11's waiver wire.

Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers

19% rostered

move 'em, kalen!#LACvsMIA | #BoltUp pic.twitter.com/wDsKocPfum

— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) November 15, 2020

Prior to Week 9, Ballage had garnered 10+ carries in just three different contests since he entered the NFL in 2018. He had also produced a total of 339 yards on the ground in 27 games during that span. But Ballage has now accumulated 33 attempts and 137 rushing yards during LA’s last two matchups. That includes the 18 carries and 68 yards that he collected in Week 10.

With Justin Jackson now on injured reserve (knee) and Troymaine Pope dealing with a concussion, Ballage led the Chargers in rushing attempts and rushing yardage for a second consecutive week, while Joshua Kelley was relegated to modest usage (7 attempts) and production (21 yards). Ballage has emerged as the preferred choice within LA’s depleted backfield and appears destined to confiscate the majority of carries until Austin Ekeler resurfaces from his hamstring issue. That should compel fantasy GMs to overcome any apprehension about adding Ballage as he has become a  primary target on this week’s waiver wire.

Damien Harris, New England Patriots

58% rostered

Damien Harris with 100 Yards ? pic.twitter.com/t5DtXu0vXy

— Alabama DieHards (@AlabamaDieHards) November 16, 2020

Harris has now led New England running backs in rushing yardage during all six games since he emerged from finger surgery in Week 4. That includes the Patriots’ Week 10 matchup with Baltimore when Harris accrued 121 yards on 22 attempts (5.5 per carry). He has now averaged 17.2 attempts and 471+ divided by 6 yards per game during that sequence while eclipsing 100 yards in three of those contests.

Rex Burkhead remains a distant second among Patriot backs in rushing yards during that same six-game sequence (187) while Cam Newton has also generated 186 yards on the ground. Sony Michel remains on injured reserve and the timetable for his return is uncertain. But Harris should have secured an ongoing role within New England’s fourth-ranked rushing attack regardless of Michel’s status. He still remains available in over 40% of all leagues despite the consistent production that he has delivered since entering the lineup. He is among this week’s most viable waiver wire additions and will deliver respectable numbers for managers who secure him for their rosters.

In The Running - Week 11 Waiver Wire Running Backs

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

Wayne Gallman, New York Giants

50% rostered

AIR GALLMAN ?

Watch live: https://t.co/cLanMzBpPN pic.twitter.com/FGOGhwOqoH

— New York Giants (@Giants) November 15, 2020

Gallman has now accumulated 253 total yards and five touchdowns on 62 touches during the Giants’ last four matchups. That includes the 60 total yards and two scores that he generated during New York’s NFC East showdown with Philadelphia. Gallman has also carried 54 times since Week 7 and has capitalized on the expanded workload that he has received due to Devonta Freeman’s protracted ankle injury. Now, a runway has been cleared for Gallman to continue his recent responsibilities as the Giants’ lead back, following the decision to place Freeman on injured reserve.

Alfred Morris has also been involved in the touch distribution (25 carries/129 rushing yards). However, Gallman has earned an ongoing role as New York’s RB1, due to his production during Freeman’s extended absence. There had been hesitation among managers to add Gallman due to the belief that Freeman would commandeer a sizable workload upon his return. However, that perceived issue has been eviscerated. Gallman remains available in 50% of all leagues and can become a resource for anyone that has been searching for an RB3 or flex option.

Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints

58% rostered

The seven-year veteran resurfaced among the last week’s recommendations after he became available in over 40% of all leagues. He remains worthy of strong consideration as a roster stash, due to his ability to function as a highly productive starter whenever he receives a sizable workload. That will transpire if Alvin Kamara is sidelined for any reason. Murray is also averaging 10 rushing attempts per game and has carried at least 10 times in five different contests. Murray also led the Saints with nine carries during their Week 10 encounter with San Francisco.

This places him on the periphery of standalone status. But that does not present the most enticing reason for securing Murray this week. He also retains his standing among the league’s elite insurance policies and would soar to RB1 status if Kamara is sidelined during the upcoming weeks. That supplies the incentive for anyone with Kamara on their rosters to seize Murray in leagues where he resides on the waiver wire. All other managers can also target Murray, as he could become a valuable resource if Kamara is suddenly unavailable.

Cam Akers, Los Angeles

28% rostered

Akers was allotted 14 carries during the Rams' season opener. However, he only accumulated 12 additional attempts from Weeks 2-7. Akers was contending with a rib issue during that span, while Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown commandeered the workload even after Akers had recovered. However, he did garner a team-high 10 rushing attempts in Week 10, which was his highest total since Week 1. He also led LA in rushing yards (38), while Brown (6 attempts/33 yards) and Henderson (7 attempts/28 yards) each received a smaller percentage of the overall workload.

All three backs will remain involved on the weekly basis, as Sean McVay maintains his commitment to the current rotation. But Akers' Week 10 usage could provide an indication that his workload and output during the Rams' remaining contests will surpass his numbers entering Week 10. He remains available in over 70% of all leagues, and could still supply managers with a productive starting option before the season has concluded.

Dark Horses - Week 11 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.

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys 

21% rostered 

Pollard remains embedded within the select group of backs that function as exceptional insurance policies. But the incentive for seizing him on your rosters has increased in recent weeks as his involvement in the Cowboys’ offense has expanded. Ezekiel Elliott led all running backs in offensive snaps as Dallas entered their bye week. But after collecting a 93% snap share from Weeks 1-3, that percentage has decreased to 67.5% since Week 6. That coincides with the surging usage of Pollard, whose snap share has increased from 16.2% in Weeks 1-5, to 31% in Weeks 6-9.

Pollard has also averaged 9.6 touches per game since Week 5 and has assembled an average of 43.2 total yards per game during that span. The Dallas passing attack has been dramatically impacted by Dak Prescott’s absence, and the Cowboys will benefit by blending Pollard’s talent and versatility into their attack. Fantasy GMs that depend on Elliott should protect their rosters by securing Pollard while he remains available. All other managers should target Pollard, as he could still become a weekly starter in your lineups during the upcoming weeks.

La'Mical Perine, New York Jets

27% rostered  

The Jets’ prolonged commitment toward keeping 37-year old Frank Gore involved as an integral component in their ground game has defied logic. It has also prevented the team from fully assessing Perine’s capabilities, while also placing a lengthy and unnecessary restriction on his potential for development. However, the motivation for adding Perine to your roster remains unchanged, and the first-year back could finally garner the long-awaited expansion to his workload when New York visits the Chargers on Sunday.

Gore has averaged 12 carries and 42.9 yards per game this season, and the Jets’ penchant for deploying Gore did not waver during his last four matchups (11 attempts, 45.5 yards per game). Perine has registered averages of 5.9 attempts and 21.1 yards per game during the season, although those averages have increased slightly since Weeks 7 (8.3 carries/28.7 yards per game). Perine’s opportunity to demonstrate his ability is far overdue, and he could emerge as a late-season resource for any fantasy GMs who secure him this week.

Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams  

25% rostered

Punch it in, @MallyCat_28‼ pic.twitter.com/pfJE0Ks0fG

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 15, 2020

Brown does not possess the big play potential of Henderson, and he cannot match the Round 2 draft pedigree of Akers. However, he is entrusted with a weekly allotment of carries by Sean McVay, which presents desperate managers with a temporary starting option whenever injuries and bye weeks create roster challenges. Brown averaged 6.5 attempts per game from Weeks 3-6. But his workload has increased to 8.7 carries per game from Weeks 7-10 while he has also generated three touchdowns during LA’s last three matchups.

Despite the unpredictable nature of McVay’s touch distribution between Darrell Henderson and Cam Akers, his penchant for keeping Brown involved should be sustained for the remainder of the season. This should remain intact regardless of how touches are distributed to Henderson and Akers within the backfield rotation. Brown also presents the potential of adding to his touchdown total and can be utilized as a flex option by any fantasy GMs that are contending with lineup issues.

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

These backs can be dropped in order to secure a running back with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.

Devonta Freeman, New York Giants

43% rostered

Freeman signed with the Giants during late September, in the aftermath of Saquon Barkley’s season-ending torn ACL. Freeman was allotted a modest workload in Week 3 (5 carries/10 rushing yards) then started New York’s next four matchups. He manufactured 154 yards on the ground on 46 attempts (3.3 yards per attempt) from Weeks 4-6. However, he encountered an ankle injury in Week 7 and has been unavailable since the issue occurred.

He has now been placed on injured reserve, which will keep him attached to the sideline for a minimum of three games. Managers in over 40% of all leagues currently have Freeman contained on their rosters. However, his extended absence will prevent him from functioning as a lineup option, while Wayne Gallman's recent production should relegate Freeman to New York's RB2 role when he does return. This provides the incentive for fantasy GMs to drop him, in order to locate more productive options that are available on the waiver wire.

Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions

49% rostered

D’Andre Swift received his first start in Week 10, and he responded by establishing new season-highs in carries (16), touches (21), and total yards (149). It was the third time in Detroit’s last five games that Swift has carried 13+ times, as the rookie appears to have commandeered primary back responsibilities for the Lions. Swift’s career-best performance in Week 10 negatively impacted Peterson’s workload, as the 35-year old back was limited to a season-low five touches.

Peterson had averaged 13.3 carries and 52.3 yards per game from Weeks 1-7. But he has now been relegated to 17 attempts during Detroit’s last three matchups and has manufactured just 57 rushing yards during that span. The recent in Swift’s usage and his ability to perform proficiently with those opportunities should prevent Detroit’s offensive decision-makers from reversing this recent trend in touch distribution. Those factors have also eliminated all motivation for keeping Peterson on your rosters.

JaMycal Hasty, San Francisco 49ers

20% rostered

The collection of injuries that have permeated San Francisco’s offense includes the health issues that have sidelined Tevin Coleman (knee), Raheem Mostert (ankle), and Jeff Wilson Jr. (ankle). This presented Hasty with an opportunity to seize a significant role within the depleted backfield. He appeared to possess the elusiveness and versatility that would allow him to thrive in a Kyle Shanahan offense that would schematically place him in a position to accumulate sizable yardage.

But Jerick McKinnon led 49er backs with 34 touches during the team’s matchups in Weeks 9 and 10, while Hasty was relegated to 11 touches and just 22 total yards during that two-game sequence. That included his three rushing yards on four attempts (0.8 yards per attempt) in Week 9, and his numbers during San Francisco's matchup in Week 10 before a broken collarbone forced him to the sideline. That unfortunate injury will conclude his season, which should propel managers to locate an alternative option on the waiver wire.

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