Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 12

November 24, 2020

Phil's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups for Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season. Free agent fantasy RBs to add, and potential PPR sleepers to stash.

Fantasy GMs are to be commended for rising to the unique challenges that have unfolded during this regular season. The weeks have advanced at a relentless pace, as we have now entered the planning process for Week 12. Some of you are concentrating on constructing lineups that will secure a spot in the fantasy playoffs, while others are making modifications to rosters that have already commandeered a place in the postseason.

Bye weeks have also been impactful in many recent lineup decisions. But there are no backs that will be unavailable this week. The process will finally reach its conclusion in Week 13 when Mike Davis, Ronald Jones, and Leonard Fournette will be absent due to the scheduled byes for Carolina and Tampa Bay. With that unwanted process nearly complete, many of you who will be competing in the fantasy postseason can focus on locating backs that have favorable schedules in Weeks 14-16

Recommendations for this week’s waiver wire additions 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.

Running Back Leaderboard

Frontrunners - Week 12 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.

James White, New England Patriots

40% rostered

White is now available in 60% of all leagues after his modest usage and production from Weeks 2-10 had compelled a rising number of managers to eliminate him from their rosters. White had been relegated to 11 attempts and a minuscule 29 rushing yards (2.6 per attempt) during that sequence. His customary role as the Patriots’ pass-catching back had also been largely non-existent from Weeks 7-10, as he had averaged just 3.0 targets, 2.3 receptions, and 17.5 from Weeks 7-10. This caused White’s usual status as a viable starter in PPR leagues to dissipate.

Slip screen to James White for 34-yards! ?? #NEvsHOU
pic.twitter.com/TeKvHdI4SZ

— Christopher Reiss (@ReissReport) November 22, 2020

But White's involvement rose sizably in Week 11. He led New England with nine targets during New England’s Week 11 matchup with Houston and capitalized by collecting six receptions and generating 64 yards. White's expanded touch total should continue following the unfortunate knee injury that sidelined Rex Burkhead during New England’s Week 11 matchup. An extended absence for Burkhead appears likely, which should cement White as an integral component within the Patriot attack. This has elevated him among this week’s recommended targets on the waiver wire.

Wayne Gallman, New York Giants

54% rostered

That's ✌ for 2⃣2⃣

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

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

Gallman only carried 15 times and manufactured 76 rushing yards from Weeks 1-6, while also failing to generate a touchdown during those contests. But Devonta Freeman’s ankle injury elevated Gallman into an expanded role during the Giants’ matchup in Week 7. His 54 rushing attempts placed him eighth overall during his last four contests prior to New York’s bye. The fourth-year back was also 10^th in rushing yardage (199) and tied with Dalvin Cook for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (5).

He has attained a 53% snap share during that sequence while seizing lead back responsibilities with the Giants. Alfred Morris has accrued 129 yards on 25 attempts since Week 8. But he does not present a threat to Gallman’s status as the Giants’ RB1. Freeman is now on injured reserve, and his absence has solidified Gallman’s lead back role during New York’s upcoming matchups. He remains available in 46% of all leagues and can function as a borderline RB2/RB3 for anyone who secures him this week.

Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints

58% rostered

Murray will be included among the weekly recommendations whenever he becomes available in over 40% of all leagues, and that scenario has transpired this week. He sustains an ongoing presence among the league’s elite insurance policies as he would instantly vault to RB1 status for fantasy GMs if Alvin Kamara would be sidelined for any reason. Murray possesses a track record of highly productive outings when he has functioned in the lead role for New Orleans.

#Saints Week 11 backfield opportunities:

Alvin Kamara - 13 carries, 1 target
Latavius Murray - 12 carries, 2 targets

— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) November 23, 2020

He has also been allotted 10+ touches in eight of 10 matchups, including the 14 that he registered in Week 11. That was his highest total since Week 3, while he also generated a season-high 85 total yards against Atlanta. Anyone with Kamara on their rosters should capitalize on the remaining opportunity to seize Murray in order to safeguard their rosters. He would deliver exceptional production if he were to absorb RB1 responsibilities during the upcoming weeks. That provides all other managers with the motivation for stashing Murray, as he is a potential difference-maker if Kamara would be unavailable for any reason.

In The Running - Week 12 Waiver Wire Running Backs

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

Frank Gore, New York Jets

10% rostered  

The Jets returned from their bye week and promptly resumed their commitment toward entrusting Gore with the majority of rushing attempts. His 15 carries were the most since Week 3 (15) during New York's matchup with the Chargers and Gore responded by delivering his highest yardage total since Week 2 (61). This perpetuated the ongoing philosophy of repeatedly distributing carries to a 37-year old lead back. It also continued the process of preventing Lamical Perine from having a genuine opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities with an expanded workload.

The ageless one.@FrankGore scores his first rushing TD of the season! #TakeFlight

?: #NYJvsLAC on CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/tUoK0wsA9N pic.twitter.com/mYuWRMqEhO

— NFL (@NFL) November 22, 2020

Perine encountered an ankle issue during the contest, which was a factor in his touch total (8 carries/33 yards). But New York has eschewed the opportunity to deploy Perine with an expanded workload throughout the season - even though it would be beneficial for both the rookie for a Jet franchise that is overdue in evaluating his potential to function as a primary back. However, fantasy GMs that are in need of a flex option can capitalize on the Jets’ penchant for deploying Gore by targeting him for their rosters. He remains available in 90% of all leagues and should accrue respectable yardage totals for anyone who secures him this week.

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys 

21% rostered 

Pollard had only averaged 3.3 attempts from Weeks 1-5. But that average has risen to rose to 7.8 since Weeks 6, while his snap share has also increased to 31% during his last five matchups. Those numbers do not qualify Pollard for standalone status. But they do indicate that Pollard could become a resource for managers if his surge in usage continues. Ezekiel Elliott’s averages of 17.8 attempts and 72.8 yards per game from Weeks 1-5 had decreased to 15.3 attempts and just 52.0 yards per game from Weeks 6-9.

Tony Pollard goes 42 YARDS to take the lead! #DallasCowboys

?: #DALvsMIN on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/tUoK0wsA9N pic.twitter.com/l6lX9Gxidn

— NFL (@NFL) November 22, 2020

But Elliott collected 23 touches during the Cowboys’ Week 11 encounter with Minnesota, while Pollard carried five times. However, Pollard bolted for a 42-yard touchdown while providing another reminder that he supplies the Cowboys with another dynamic weapon whenever he is on the field. He would also accumulate significant yardage totals if Elliott would be unavailable, which makes Pollard an unquestioned insurance policy for anyone with Elliott on their rosters. Pollard could also become a valuable resource for any other managers if his workload increases for any reason.  

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

28% rostered

Akers began the season by receiving 14 carries and performing on 33% of the Rams’ offensive snaps. But those remain his season highs, as he played on just 20 snaps, carried 12 times, and manufactured 74 yards from Weeks 2-7. However, he has recovered from the rib injury that had affected his usage and availability during those contests, and LA’s second-round pick has now accumulated 19 attempts and generated 73 yards during the team’s last two matchups.

Those numbers are comparable to the totals for both Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown since Week 8, as Henderson has produced 75 yards on 15 attempts, while Brown has amassed 73 yards on 16 carries. The potential for Sean McVay to modify the touch distribution between the trio of backs can result in erratic touch totals and output. However, it is conceivable that Akers will commandeer 10+ attempts per game during the Rams’ remaining matchups. This would fuel production that provides fantasy GMs with a viable starter during the critical weeks that remain. That elevates him among this week’s recommended roster additions.

Dark Horses - Week 12 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.

Carlos Hyde, Seattle Seahawks

46% rostered

Chris Carson departed Seattle Week 7 matchup with Arizona following a foot injury and has not returned to game action. Hyde overcame his own issue (hamstring) to temporarily confiscate the Seahawks RB1 role during Seattle’s second encounter with the Cardinals in Week 10. Hyde generated a season-high 79 yards on 14 attempts (5.6 yards per attempt), and also scored his third touchdown of the season.

Carlos Hyde is BACK!

If you didn't know, now you do. #Seahawks

?: #AZvsSEA on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
?: https://t.co/W5bCPYynDY pic.twitter.com/hDzuW5t7If

— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2020

If Carson reemerges for the Seahawks’ next matchup at Philadelphia, he will commandeer the majority of backfield touches. But Hyde has ascended beyond DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer to reclaim backup responsibilities behind Carson. Fantasy GMs who rely on Carson as their starter should protect their roster from any future emergency by securing Hyde this week. This will automatically neutralize any impact that would otherwise occur if Carson is sidelined once again. Anyone else with roster space can also consider stashing Hyde, as he would suddenly absorb an expanded role if Carson experiences any additional health issues.

Tevin Coleman, San Francisco 49ers

18% rostered

Projecting the touch distribution for 49er running backs is normally a challenging task due to Kyle Shanahan’s game-specific plan for each runner. But this season’s continual stream of injuries within San Francisco’s backfield has accelerated the process of an ever-changing landscape. Injuries to Coleman (knee), Raheem Mostert (ankle), and Jeff Wilson (ankle) have intensified the guesswork surrounding which back will ultimately garner the largest workload on a weekly basis.

Mostert could easily return for this week’s matchup with the Rams and would be primed to receive the majority of backfield touches if that transpires. But he can only be secured in 14% of all leagues. However, Coleman could also reemerge and is available in over 80% of all leagues. The prospect of adding the sixth-year back might not present the same level of excitement as other waiver wire options. But managers can monitor the status of both runners as the waiver process approaches, as it remains likely that Shanahan will include Coleman in the backfield rotation whenever he is available.

Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams

27% rostered 

Any hesitation regarding the addition of Brown is justified considering the ongoing presence of Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson. But Brown continues to collect touches each week, even as Akers and Henderson also remain involved in the Rams' congested backfield. Brown has only failed to attain a 40% snap share in one matchup throughout the season and has averaged 47.5% since Week 4. Brown has also averaged 8.7 attempts per game and produced three touchdowns since Week 8.

Sean McVay can be expected to distribute touches to all three backs within the Rams’ backfield. But he has been unwavering in his commitment toward keeping Brown involved in the weekly rotation. That will enable him to accumulate a percentage of opportunities each week. It also provides the potential for Brown to deliver numbers that reward managers who start him as a flex. He also remains a candidate for a rise in usage if Akers or Henderson encounter health issues that limit their availability.

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.

Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills

74% rostered

Zack Moss has yet to replicate the production that he delivered in Week 8 (14 attempts/81 yards/5.8 per attempt). But the rookie has supplanted Singletary as the preferred Buffalo back for fantasy GMs to have contained on their rosters. Singletary had averaged 11.6 attempts and 48.1 yards per game from Weeks 1-8 while operating on 71.8% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps from Weeks 1-6. But during the Bills’ last two matchups, Singletary has been relegated to an anemic six carries and has only manufactured 16 rushing yards in both games combined (2.1 per attempt).

His snap share also dropped to 46.5% as Moss was involved in 54.5% of Buffalo’s snaps, and entrusted with 16 carries during that sequence. Moss has also accumulated six red zone carries since Week 8 while Singletary has only received two. The idea of dropping Singletary could create discomfort if you invested a fifth-round pick on the second-year back during your draft process. But it is time to locate another runner who receives more touches and delivers more scoring potential for your remaining matchups.

Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens

55% rostered

Ingram has only carried seven times and gained seven yards since he reemerged from an ankle issue in Week 10. That includes the season-low two attempts that he registered in Week 11, as Ingram also manufactured just two yards on the ground against the Titans. Ingram has now averaged 24.67 yards per game since Week 3, while his snap share has been limited to 25%.

Ravens final HB snap count
J.K. Dobbins 41
Gus Edwards 13
Justice Hill 7
Mark Ingram II 6

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) November 22, 2020

J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards have received expanded workloads since Week 6 as Edwards carried 51 times and produced 184 yards. Dobbins has collected 56 attempts and accumulated 254 yards. This includes Week 11 when he tied his season-high with 15 carries and assembled his second-highest yardage total of the season (70). Even if Ingram remains included in a three-back rotation, he will not approach the same workload that he had attained from Weeks 1-5 (9.6 touches per game). His diminished touch total leaves fantasy GMs without a reason to retain him on their rosters.

Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions

55% rostered

Just as the fantasy community was collectively embracing the emergence of D'Andre Swift as a potential weekly RB1, a concussion forced the promising newcomer to miss Detroit's Week 11 matchup with Carolina. The 35-year-old Peterson became the Lions lead back against the Panthers. But he failed to reach 20 rushing yards with his seven attempts ((18 yards/2.6 per attempt). This was an unwelcome outcome for managers that had placed him in their starting lineups due to Swift’s absence.

Swift will recapture Detroit’s lead back duties following his recovery, although a short turnaround could prevent the first year back from reemerging when the Lions host Houston on Thanksgiving Day. However, entrusting Peterson in your starting lineup once again would create sizable risk. His paltry Week 11 yardage total was manufactured against a Carolina unit that had been fourth in rushing yardage allowed to opposing backs. That should provide the incentive for fantasy GMs to locate a more favorable option from this week's waiver wire.

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