Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 16

Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups before Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season. These are free agent fantasy RBs to add, and potential PPR sleepers to stash.

Winning a fantasy championship has been your goal since the onset of preparations for your draft. It has also remained the primary objective in every roster decision that you have made throughout the regular season. Regardless of who you have been competing against, or how the scoring in your league has been constructed, the desire to capture a fantasy championship has propelled you to this point of the postseason.

Now, you are just one win away from fulfilling your championship aspirations, and this article is designed to help you make the critical decisions that await you. That includes examining the running backs that are currently located on at least 40% of all waiver wires. You will also receive analysis regarding which players will be performing against formidable defensive units, and which runners will have the benefit of lining up against vulnerable opponents.

These recommendations will appear in three tiers - beginning with the most enticing runners that are available, then progressing to backs that can be considered if your usual starters might be unavailable for any reason this week. You will also find a group of backs that can be dropped in order for you to secure your replacements. Good luck to everyone in your matchups this week.

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Frontrunners - Week 16 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 60% or less ownership in typical fantasy leagues. 

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings - 39% owned

Throughout the regular season, Mattison has maintained a continual presence among the weekly recommendations in this column. His versatility and aggressiveness as a runner and receiver provided the incentive for Dalvin Cook owners to seize him from waiver wires because he would inherit an extensive workload if Cook would be absent for any reason.  This scenario occurred in Week 13 when Cook’s shoulder injury forced him to the sideline. Mattison accrued 73 total yards on eight touches during that matchup, and he is fully capable of accumulating favorable numbers if Cook is unavailable this week. However, that will only transpire if Mattison recovers from his ankle issue. The status for both Cook and Mattison could remain uncertain as your waiver process begins. However, a healthy Mattison would commandeer a massive workload if Cook is out as he has remained firmly ahead of Mike Boone on the Vikings' depth chart during the season.  That makes him the top waiver priority, as he can operate as an RB1 if Cook is sidelined. But Boone’s value will rise significantly if Mattison cannot perform this week.

Mike Boone, Minnesota Vikings - 1% owned

The second-year back entered Week 15 with season-long totals of just 41 yards on eight carries. But his infinitesimal usage concluded when Dalvin Cook experienced a setback with his problematic shoulder. Boone carried 13 times after Cook was sidelined, and maximized his opportunity by bolting for 56 yards and his first two career touchdowns. Boone now enters Week 16 on the threshold of a massive role change. However, his responsibilities will be dependent on the status of both Cook and Mattison. Those situations will be monitored closely throughout the week. But it is highly possible that neither Cook or Mattison will be available when Minnesota lines up against long-time rival Green Bay. Mattison’s troublesome ankle could keep him affixed to the sideline, while the Vikings must be meticulous in protecting Cook from additional shoulder damage. This provides enormous motivation to seize Boone, as the second-year back could become a valuable component for his new owners this week.

Deandre Washington, Oakland Raiders - 31% owned

When Josh Jacobs's problematic shoulder sidelined him in Week 14, Washington was elevated into Oakland’s lead back responsibilities. But after he performing effectively with a sizable workload (20 touches/96 yards), Washington resumed a backup role in Week 15. Jacobs returned to the lineup, generated 109 total yards, and Washington was limited to eight touches. But even though Jacobs absorbed an extensive workload, he was still contending with the shoulder issue. This has compelled Jon Gruden to safeguard Jacobs from further injury, by keeping him cemented to the sideline this week. This is unsurprising since the 6-8 Raiders will not be participating in the postseason.  The prospects of Jacobs being absent had already supplied his owners with an enormous rationale for adding Washington. Now, the versatile back will reemerge as Oakland's RB1 against the Chargers, and his capabilities as a receiver will reduce the impact of negative script on his touch total.

Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions - 39% owned

It is reasonable to question whether Detroit should subject Johnson to additional wear and tear as the regular season reaches conclusion. He has already endured two knee injuries that have sidelined him for a total of 14 games. However, it appears Matt Patricia has determined that any positive momentum Detroit can attain by prevailing in their remaining matchups supersedes consideration toward safeguarding Johnson’s health. This elevates Johnson among this week’s most enticing waiver wire targets. He would become a starting option for Week 16 lineups, even if he shares touches this week. Bo Scarbrough is currently contending with his rib issue, which temporarily elevated Wes Hills into an increased role in Week 15. But Johnson is the only Lion back to pursue from this week's waiver wire. He should deliver respectable numbers if he operates in a time share, and would approach low-end RB1 territory if he is deployed as the Lions’ lead back. He also presents potential owners with an intriguing roster component that could propel teams to league championships.

In The Running - Week 16 Waiver Wire Running Backs

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

Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins - 46% owned

Derrius Guice’s most recent knee injury abruptly concluded his season, while removing the final obstacle that would impede Peterson from functioning as Washington’s lead back. The 34-year-old Pederson has repeatedly exceeded expectations throughout his 13th season, including a 75.1 yards-per-game average since Week 6. He has also been operating with an appealing workload while averaging 15.9+ attempts-per-game during that span. His usage includes 17 carries inside the red zone, with seven of those attempts being registered during his last six contests. This week he will also be the beneficiary of an outstanding matchup against the Giants, which should remove any lingering trepidation about trusting Peterson. He should garner another substantial workload, which provides an excellent opportunity to deliver respectable yardage and at least one touchdown. That delivers the rationale for adding him to your Week 16 roster.

Patrick Laird, Miami Dolphins - 39% owned

The 6’0”, 200-pound Laird has commandeered an expanding role in Miami’s offense, while operating with greater efficiency than his historically unproductive predecessor Kalen Ballage. Laird has now led the Dolphin backfield in touches for three consecutive weeks, as his snap count percentage has vaulted from 12% to 82% during his last six matchups. The undrafted free agent has also accumulated 47 touches since Week 13 while being entrusted with 37 carries during that sequence. Laird has also assembled 94 yards on 27 attempts during Miami’s last two contests while accruing at least 38 receiving yards in three of his last five games. Seventh-round pick Miles Gaskin did collect a season-high 11 touches while manufacturing 43 yards on nine carries in Week 15. However, Laird’s increased role has been sustained for a sufficient period of time. That instills confidence that he will commandeer the majority of touches during this week’s outstanding matchup against Cincinnati

Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles - 3% owned

The 5’6”, 200-pound Scott entered Week 14 having generated just 99 total yards during his career. But he has exploded for nearly 200 total yards during Philadelphia’s last two matchups (193), after accumulating 65 against NFC East rival Washington in Week 15. Scott had burst onto the fantasy radar by stockpiling 128 total yards and a touchdown shredding an overmatched Giants Defense in Week 14 while becoming a valuable component within the Eagles backfield. Scott performed on 39 snaps after Miles Sanders was temporarily sidelined with leg cramps, then seized an ongoing role during his eye-opening performance. That impressive outing presented Scott with another opportunity against the Redskins, and the former sixth-round pick has infused a dynamic presence into Philadelphia’s ground game. His big-play potential can be beneficial for both the Eagles and his owners  Even as Sanders operates as Philly’s RB1, Scott can be deployed as an upside flex option this week.

Dark Horses - Week 16 Waiver Wire Running Backs 

This group consists of running backs that can be added if you consider your situation to be desperate due to the impending absence of backs that have been your starters.

Dion Lewis, Tennessee Titans - 10% owned

Derrick Henry’s troublesome hamstring has increased the need for his owners to secure Lewis on their rosters. In Week 14, Henry persevered through the injury while bolting for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries (5.7 per attempt). Henry also collected 86 yards on 21 attempts in Week 15, although his 4.1 yards per attempt was the lowest since Week 7. Lewis attained a season-high nine attempts in Week 14, after averaging just 2.1 per game from Weeks 1-13. He only collected four touches in Week 15, although he did generate his first touchdown of the season. However, the incentive for adding Lewis involves Henry’s ability to take the field this week. Lewis remains entrenched as the clear handcuff option, and Henry’s condition should compel his owners to protect their investment. It is also wise to make sure that your opponent does not confiscate Lewis.

Ty Montgomery, New York Jets - 2% owned

It is justifiable to wonder if Le’Veon Bell maintains any interest in playing for the Jets in Week 16. It is equally questionable whether Adam Gase would prefer to distribute touches to other New York backs. While Bell’s status should be monitored during the week, it is possible that he will share touches with Montgomery. Bell could conceivably be declared inactive, as a seemingly unsettled situation has developed surrounding Bell and his recent bowling expedition. He has accumulated 1,080 total yards during year 1 of his tenure in New York. But Gase may not be inclined to utilize him extensively this week against his former team. That blends with Bilal Powell’s ankle issue to present Montgomery as the logical candidate for an expanded role if Bell’s involvement is altered. Bell owners can evade any potential roster emergency by adding Montgomery. He also supplies the dual-threat potential for anyone who must locate an alternative option in the flex.

Also-Rans - Time To Say Goodbye

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

Derrius Guice, Washington Redskins - 36% owned

This drop recommendation should not require an extensive amount of explanation. Guice has been placed on injured reserve and is 100% incapable of helping your team. The left knee sprain that he experienced in Week 14 has created yet another unfortunate health issue for this talented but oft-injured back. Guice only performed in five contests during 2019, which has compounded concerns regarding his future viability. His condensed season did include an encouraging 129-yard rushing performance in Week 13. However, it also consisted of four games in which he averaged 46.75 total yards. Guice did display big-play capabilities, but all prospects for production must be placed on pause until 2020. His absence leaves absolutely no reason to retain him on your roster. There will be other options available on your waiver wire during a week in which you should maximize every opportunity to win your matchup.

Duke Johnson, Houston Texans - 55% owned

This is the latest reminder that Johnson does not receive enough touches for you to start him. The need to avoid his limited upside becomes even more critical considering the crucial nature of your matchups in Week 16. Bill O’Brien’s steadfast preference for deploying Carlos Hyde as Houston’s lead back has enabled Hyde to eclipse 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He has also attained  10+ rushing attempts in 13 of 14 the Texans’ matchups, including a season high 26 against Tennessee in Week 15. The usage for Hyde has routinely placed a massive obstacle in Johnson’s path to productivity. Even when Johnson has demonstrated his ability to generate huge gains, he has been limited to 8.2 touches-per-game. That includes a season-low four against the Titans. Johnson’s constrained workload does not provide a blueprint for sizable scoring in your lineup. That makes it important to locate another player that delivers the potential for higher production this week.

David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals - 88% owned

Johnson was relegated to just two touches in Week 15 and has now manufactured just 42 rushing yards on 15 attempts since Week 7. That is not what owners anticipated during their draft process when Johnson appeared primed to flourish as the feature back in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Unfortunately for anyone who invested their first-round pick on Johnson, he has not exceeded 34 rushing yards since Week 6. He is consistently serving as the backup to Kenyan Drake and has not demonstrated the ability to ascend beyond his diminished role. This will sustain the sizable restraints that have been placed on his production. That should erase any remaining enthusiasm for keeping him on your roster during your crucial postseason matchups. His disappointing season has presented a script that you did not envision, and there are other backs with better opportunities to produce fantasy points. That should provide the incentive to remove him from your roster.

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