Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 13

December 2, 2020

Phil's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups for Week 13 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 and we have now arrived at Week 13. That places us at the threshold of the fantasy postseason. The unwanted process of bye weeks will be completed following this week's scheduled byes for Carolina and Tampa Bay. This ensures that anyone with Mike Davis, Ronald Jones, and Leonard Fournette on their rosters will have to avoid starting them this week.

This critical week also provides the opportunity to focus on constructing lineups that will advance into the fantasy playoffs or to refine rosters that have already secured a place in the postseason. It is also highly recommended that you examine the Week 14-16 matchups for any backs that you are considering or are currently contained on your rosters. This maximizes your planning process by establishing which backs will be contending with difficult matchups, and which runners have an opportunity to perform against vulnerable defensive units.

Regardless of your reasons for examining waiver wire options, this article will help you locate the best running backs to target. These recommendations 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 considered as droppable in order for you to secure your replacements.

Running Back Leaderboard

Frontrunners - Week 13 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.

Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints

59% rostered

ALL ABOARD ?

Touchdown #Saints❗ | #OchsnerHealth pic.twitter.com/2PnKHzwoRk

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 29, 2020

Murray has maintained availability in 40% of all leagues even though his value would be immense if the seventh-year back would absorb New Orleans' lead back responsibilities. Murray’s burgeoning workload has also elevated him into stand-alone value, as he has accumulated 31 attempts in two games with Taysom Hill leading the New Orleans offense. He has also received 10+ carries in seven different contests while averaging 11.4 attempts per game since Week 3.

That includes his season-high 19 carries during the Saints’ Week 12 matchup in Denver, as Murray also rumbled for a season-best 124 yards and generated two touchdowns against the Broncos. Alvin Kamara has carried 24 times and received just three targets since Week 11, and Murray's increased workload should continue while Hill is under center. This recent touch distribution for both backs provides enormous incentive to secure Murray. If Kamara is on your roster, Murray could help you avoid a catastrophic issue at an inopportune time of the season. All other managers can confidently start Murray as an RB2/RB3.

Benny Snell, Pittsburgh Steelers

33% rostered

#SnellYeah @benny_snellTD for the @steelers

? CBS ?https://t.co/WbJIEg3CPX @NFL pic.twitter.com/fHF1jD26vk

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) November 22, 2020

James Conner entered Week 12 with the second-highest number of offensive snaps among running backs (453). He has also been averaging 14.5 rushing attempts for the Steelers. But he will be unavailable for Pittsburgh’s matchup with Baltimore after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. That has catapulted Snell into relevance as the likely beneficiary of additional carries during the Steelers’ Tuesday night encounter with the Ravens. Snell bolted for 113 yards on 19 carries during the Steelers’ season opener, as he also attained a season-high 45% snap share.

But he has only accumulated 82 yards (10.5 per game) and 38 attempts (4.8 per game) since that season-best performance, while also performing on just 12.5% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps. However, he will easily exceed those averages with Connor cemented to the sidelines. Rookie Anthony McFarland will also be involved in the backfield rotation. But Snell’s workload should be sufficient to provide fantasy GMs with a viable starting option. He will remain in that capacity during Pittsburgh’s Week 13 matchup with Washington if Connor remains unavailable for that contest.

Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders

9% rostered

4 minute drill... #Raiders RG Gabe Jackson gets pancake on the DT. Best game of year for Jackson. Devontae Booker runs right over top of the CB to get the 1st down. Physical runner who finishes.#RaiderNation ?: @Rholm22 pic.twitter.com/NwtizMBehP

— Ramble Digital Media™ (@RambleDMedia) November 22, 2020

Booker began his first season with Las Vegas by receiving only limited involvement from Weeks 1-4. He performed on just 10.5% of the Raiders’ offensive snaps, carried 10 times, and manufactured 59 yards. But his snap share rose to 31% from Week 8-10, while the fifth-year back also accumulated 29 rushing attempts. He also generated 178 yards during that sequence which was seventh among all backs. However, it is the ankle injury that sidelined Josh Jacobs in Week 12 that has sent Booker soaring into must-add status on this week’s waiver wire.

Managers will need to monitor updates on Jacobs' health as the week progresses. But if he is sidelined in Week 13, then Booker would commandeer RB1 responsibilities within a Las Vegas offense that is seventh in run play percentage (48.4%). Booker would also be the recipient of an enticing matchup against the Jets if that transpires. Even if Jacobs resurfaces in the Las Vegas lineup on Sunday, Booker also supplies an outstanding insurance policy for anyone that has the Raiders' lead back on their roster,

In The Running - Week 13 Waiver Wire Running Backs

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

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

29% rostered

#Rams Cam Akers broke loose for 75 yards.pic.twitter.com/rYX2XKrX0f

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 29, 2020

As the season has steadily advanced, the number of weeks in which Akers could still provide any form of scoring assistance to fantasy GMs has been dissipating rapidly. However, his Week 12 performance provides a reason for optimism that he could confiscate a larger percentage of carries within Sean McVay’s backfield during his remaining matchups. Akers exploded for a 61-yard run against division rival San Francisco, while also generating a season-high 84 yards, He also scored his first touchdown of the season on the ground.

Akers has now averaged 8.3 attempts per game since Week 8. That includes nine carries against the 49ers, as Darrell Henderson was allotted 10 attempts, while Malcolm Brown carried just three times. McVay should be compelled to modify the Rams’ 3-way touch distribution that exists between Akers, Brown, and Henderson, by allocating more opportunities to the rookie. Any managers who can locate roster space should target Akers this week, as he could become a valuable resource during the fantasy postseason.

Frank Gore, New York Jets

25% rostered  

The opportunity for New York to fully evaluate Lamical Perine in a workhorse role has evaporated, as he is now on injured reserve due to a high ankle sprain. This will prevent the Jets from assessing his ability to operate with a sizable weekly touch total. However, it also presents the chance for managers to confiscate Gore, who has now become the beneficiary of a sizable workload.

Gore was already operating with a favorable touch total entering Week 12 (12.3 attempts per game) as the result of Adam Gase’s unwavering commitment toward keeping him highly involved in the Jets’ ground game. But Gore was entrusted with 18 carries in Week 12, which was his second-highest total of the season. The 16-year veteran responded by generating a season-high 74 yards, which solidified his status as a viable roster addition. He will not explode for astronomical yardage totals. But he can deliver dependable weekly scoring and is currently available in nearly 75% of all leagues.

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

54% rostered

It appeared that Edwards was primed to receive a mammoth increase in his touch total this week, due to the placement of J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram on the reserve/COVID19 list. However, the latest in a series of postponements will enable Dobbins and Ingram to share touches with Edwards.

But this does not eliminate all rationale for adding Edwards to your rosters if you are searching for a flex option. He will continue to attain rushing attempts, and the Ravens should intensify their commitment to the ground game while Lamar Jackson is unavailable. Jackson will be sidelined during Baltimore's matchup with Pittsburgh and his stratus for the Ravens’ Week 13 encounter with Dallas is currently uncertain.

Edwards should join Dobbins in sharing the majority of touches during upcoming matchups, while Ingram will only receive a modest workload. Edwards remains available in nearly 50% of all leagues and remains one of this week’s viable targets on the waiver wire.

Dark Horses - Week 13 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.

Brian Hill / Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons

Hill 47% rostered / Smith 13% rostered

Ito ➡ End zone

?: CBS pic.twitter.com/XXnJUVGXMa

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 29, 2020

Todd Gurley was sixth overall with 167 rushing attempts entering Week 12. But he was also 11th in rushing yardage (610), and his average of 3.7 yards per attempt was the lowest among any back that was contained within the top 20. His ability to manufacture nine touchdowns had sustained his status as an RB2 for fantasy GMs. But he was also a candidate for workload management or to potentially miss games completely due to health issues. That made Hill a highly recommended insurance policy for anyone with Gurley on their rosters.

That scenario transpired on Week 12, as Gurley’s knee injury affixed him to the sideline. However, Hill was allotted 13 rushing attempts, while Smith carried 12 times. Smith also produced 10 additional yards with his opportunities (65/55), and another timeshare would develop if Gurley is absent again this week. Gurley’s status should be monitored as Sunday's home matchup with New Orleans approaches. If he remains unavailable, Hill and Smith can both be deployed as flex options by anyone who is contending with injuries, or this week's final installment of bye weeks. Both backs could also become postseason roster components if Gurley is sidelined for an extended period.

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

32% rostered  

Dalvin Cook entered Week 12 as the NFL’s second rushing leader (1,069 yards/118.8 per game) and was also second in rushing attempts (201/22.3 per game). Cook was also entrusted with another massive workload when the Vikings hosted Carolina (22 touches) and responded by producing 82 total yards. His extensive usage prevents Mattison from attaining standalone value. But it also places Mattison in a position to function as a valuable insurance policy for managers who depend on Cook in their starting lineups.

Managers were supplied with a reminder of how quickly their fantasy fortunes could be transformed when Cook was temporarily sidelined with an ankle issue during Minnesota's Week 12 matchup with the Panthers. This underscores the benefit of seizing Mattison if you have Cook contained on your rosters, as you can elude a mammoth issue if Cook would be sidelined for any reason. Mattison is available in nearly 60% of all leagues and would elevate into RB1 status for fantasy GMs if Cook is absent during any of the Vikings' remaining matchups.

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys 

19% rostered 

Ezekiel Elliott will continue to operate as the RB1 for Dallas, and Pollard still has not achieved standalone value. But he has established his ability to perform effectively with the opportunities that he receives. From Weeks 6-11, Pollard generated 204 rushing yards on 39 attempts, while averaging 7.8 attempts, and 30.8 yards per game (5.2 yards per attempt). However, he carried four times and manufactured 12 yards during the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day matchup with Washington. That represented his fewest carries and lowest rushing total since Week 3.

Elliott also managed just 32 yards in 10 attempts against Washington (3.2 per attempt) and the performances of both backs should keep Pollard involved in the touch distribution. If Elliott is on your roster, there is an enormous incentive for you to secure Pollard. He would commandeer a massive workload if Elliott would be absent for any reason, and he is capable of exploding for significant yardage if that scenario occurs. He remains available on 81% of all rosters and is also a worthy roster stash in deeper leagues.

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.

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

88% rostered

If you selected Mixon with a first-round draft pick and have been lamenting that decision, here is a reminder that he finished ninth in rushing during 2019 (1,137 yards), Mixon has amassed 515 carries during his last two seasons, while also stockpiling nearly 3,000 total yards (2,888) on 615 touches during 2018-2019. But his 2020 season has been comprised of 428 rushing yards, a 3.6 yards-per-carry average, and five missed games.

He has also been placed on injured reserve, which has created reasonable doubt that he will return to game action this season. Choosing to draft Mixon is a defensible decision. But he has failed to provide a sufficient return on the hefty investment that was required in order to seize him for your roster. If you are in a shallow league or are having difficulty building a productive lineup, then you should not squander an opportunity to improve your team by allowing Mixon to consume valuable space on your roster

Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens

46% rostered

All rationale for retaining Ingram on rosters had been eviscerated even before he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Ingram’s touch allotment has been alarmingly low, and his limited production will not be beneficial to managers. This decline in usage and production are not recent developments, which makes it even more surprising that he remains rostered in nearly 50% of all leagues. Since Week 4, Ingram’s snap share has barely reached 20% (20.4).

Since returning from his ankle injury in Week 10, he has been limited to seven carries and seven yards. He also experienced season lows in carries (2), and rushing yardage (2) during Baltimore’s matchup in Week 11.  J. K. Dobbins appears destined to share a high percentage of touches with Gus Edwards while Ingram will remain relegated to a minimal workload behind both teammates. Even though Ingram will now return for the Ravens’ Week 12 matchup with Pittsburgh, it remains unlikely that he will accumulate enough carries and yardage to consistently help fantasy GMs. That should compel you to discard him from your roster.

Duke Johnson, Houston Texans

72% rostered

The prospects of Duke Johnson being entrusted in a lead back capacity had been an enticing scenario for many within the fantasy community because it had proven to be an elusive occurrence throughout his six-year career. But this situation finally developed in Week 9, when David Johnson’s concussion elevated Duke into an expanded role. However, Johnson’s output has failed to approach the optimistic projections that had developed, due to his perceived ability to perform efficiently as a dual-threat back.

He led all backs in offensive snaps (153) and snap count percentage (81.3) from Weeks 9-12 while accumulating 49 carries. But he has only manufactured 147 yards while averaging only 3.0 yards per attempt. He did accrue 43 yards as a receiver, which was fueled by his 33-yard touchdown. But David could resurface this week, which would restrict Duke’s touch total to a modest level. Anyone with David on their rosters can consider retaining Duke as an insurance policy. But his inability to deliver the level of production that would be needed in critical late-season matchups should compel managers to locate alternative options.

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