Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 17

December 29, 2020

Phil's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups for Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season. Free agent fantasy RBs to add, and potential PPR sleepers to stash.

Winning a fantasy championship has been your goal since you began preparing for your draft. It has also remained the driving force behind every roster decision that you have made throughout the regular season. You have also maintained a new level of flexibility while adjusting to the COVID- 19-related postponements and the ongoing potential for adjusted schedules. Congratulations to all of you who were able to fulfill those championship aspirations despite your challenges in Week 16.

If you have embraced the unique challenges of participating in a league that incorporates Week 17 matchups into the equation, then you are just one win away from capturing your league’s championship. This article is designed to help you make the critical decisions that await you, by examining the running backs that are currently located on at least 40% of all waiver wires.

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 normal starting options are unavailable for any reason. 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.

Running Back Leaderboard

Frontrunners - Week 17 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.

Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49ers

59% rostered

Wilson was sidelined from Weeks 8-11 with an ankle issue. But he has assembled 361 rushing yards during his late five contests while earning the eternal gratitude of any managers who started him in Week 16. Wilson had accumulated 178 yards on 46 attempts from Weeks 12-15 while operating in a rotation with Raheem Mostert. But Mostert was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain during San Francisco's Week 16 matchup with Arizona, which enabled Wilson to function as the 49ers' lead back.

Where there's a Wilson, there's a way! #SFvsAZ: https://t.co/EkXl0Ka68Q pic.twitter.com/GGC5gJklPT

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 26, 2020

That created a pathway for Wilson to commandeer a massive workload which Kyle Shanahan willingly provided. Wilson stockpiled 183 yards on 22 attempts against Arizona and supplemented his production with a 21-yard touchdown reception.  Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman combined for just seven touches versus the Cardinals, and their involvement would have been condensed even further if Wilson had not missed snaps during a medical evaluation (concussion). Mostert will remain on injured reserve this week, and Shanahan should continue his extensive usage of Wilson. That makes it reasonable to project him as a low-end RB1 for fantasy GMs while cementing him as the premiere target on this week's waiver wire.

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

40% rostered

Gus Edwards, holy crap.pic.twitter.com/4vhEcGJuVW

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 27, 2020

Anyone with J.K. Dobbins on their rosters has been hoping that the talented rookie would commandeer a massive workload while operating as a workhorse back. But Edwards has also retained an ongoing role within Baltimore’s backfield rotation, which has sustained his status as a viable roster addition since Week 6 (98 carries/471 yards). Both backs were highly involved in the Ravens’ touch distribution once again in Week 16 while combining for 26 carries and 162 yards on the ground. However, Dobbins was also sidelined during Baltimore’s matchup with the Giants (chest).

That vaulted Edwards into lead back duties, which enabled him to accumulate 17 touches, and 122 total yards. He remains available in 60% of all leagues and is entrenched among this week’s recommendations - even if he shares opportunities with Dobbins against Cincinnati on Sunday. Edwards’s consistent involvement in the team’s rushing attack minimally supplies managers with a flex option. But he would ascend into RB2 territory if Dobbins is sidelined.

Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams

19% rostered

The long-awaited deployment of Cam Akers as the Rams’ workhorse back finally materialized in Week 14 as he established career highs in snap share (79%), and rushing attempts (29) while erupting for 171 yards. Unfortunately, his tenure as LA’s RB1 was ended abruptly when he suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 15. That propelled Darrell Henderson into an expanded role for the Rams' NFC West showdown in Seattle and he responded by generating 62 yards on 12 attempts. But he also encountered an ankle injury, which brought a sudden conclusion to his performance.

Henderson's ankle issue instantly vaulted Brown into primary back duties, and he produced 35 total yards with his eight touches. Brown would function as LA's lead back if Akers and Henderson are both unavailable for the Rams' matchup with Arizona on Sunday. The Rams should also intensify their reliance on the run due to the absence of Jared Goff under center (broken finger). That would provide a mammoth opportunity to Brown. The status of Akers and Henderson should be monitored during the week. However, anyone who is searching for a viable starter should prioritize Brown among this week's top options.

A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers

8% rostered

The rookie had entered Week 16 with season-long totals of 24 carries and 115 yards. He had also reached 30 yards in just one contest while failing to surpass five attempts during any of the seven matchups that he had been involved with. But the convergence of Jamaal Williams’ quad injury and Aaron Jones’ hip issue vaulted Dillon into a sizable workload during Green Bay’s Week 16 matchup with Tennessee. This enabled Dillon to obliterate his previous season-highs.

.@ajdillon7 takes it 3️⃣0️⃣ yards for his first career TD!#TENvsGB | #GoPackGo

? NBC
Watch live ? https://t.co/Rx5eGctCI0 pic.twitter.com/pa5BdaHXpf

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 28, 2020

He carried 21 times, generated 124 yards, and produced his first two touchdowns of the season against the Titans. That should entice anyone who is searching for a boost in their Week 17 scoring. If Jones and Williams return for the Packers’ season finale with division rival Chicago, that would place constraints on Dillon’s role in Green Bay’s rushing attack. But he remains among this week's top waiver wire recommendations due to the potential of another significant workload if either Jones or Williams is absent.

In The Running - Week 17 Waiver Wire Running Backs

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

Darrel Williams, Kansas. City Chiefs

3% rostered

The third-year back collected a season-high 10 rushing attempts in Week 16. That also led the Chiefs during their matchup with Atlanta, as Le'Veon Bell was limited to seven carries. Williams also generated more rushing yardage than Bell (46/30) and tied for second on the team with six targets during the contest. His increased usage has created a challenging situation for any fantasy GMs who are attempting to determine which Kansas City back should be used in their Week 17 matchups.

The Chiefs have secured the top seed in the AFC which should compel Andy Reid to safeguard the health of his usual starters. Whether that is most likely to result in an expanded workload for Williams or Bell is uncertain. However, Bell is already rostered on 88% of all leagues, while Williams can currently be secured in 97% of all leagues. That provides the incentive for managers to pursue Williams this week. Adding him could be extremely beneficial if he commandeers the majority of touches against the Chargers on Sunday.

Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals

Perine 2% rostered

.@samajp32 will not be stopped! Welcome Home ?

WATCH on FOX pic.twitter.com/qoMpIo4l22

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 27, 2020

The customary goal in this column is to focus on running backs that are available in at least 40% of all leagues. But the recommendation to target Perine would be incomplete without mentioning Bernard, as both backs can be productive for managers in Week 17. Cincinnati’s rushing tandem combined for 40 touches and 267 total yards during the Bengals' Week 16 matchup at Houston. Bernard's availability is limited to 28% of all leagues. However, you should not encounter any difficulty in locating Perine on your waiver wire as he is attainable in 98% of all leagues.

Perine established new season highs in attempts (13), and rushing yards (95) in Week 16. He also generated two touchdowns on the ground, while collecting a career-high 41 yards as a receiver. He has now carried 10+ times in two of his last three matchups and should garner a similar workload this week when Cincinnati hosts Baltimore. That should compel any managers who are searching for flex options to consider Perine among this week’s waiver wire targets.

Dare Ogunbowale, Jacksonville Jaguars

8% rostered

James Robinson was fourth among all running backs in rushing attempts entering Week 16 (240/17.1 per game) and was third overall in rushing yardage (1,070/76.4 per game). He had also generated seven touchdowns while constructing an exceptional rookie season. But he was unavailable for Jacksonville’s Week 16 matchup with Chicago which opened the possibility of sudden relevancy for Devine Ozigbo and Ogunbowale. But after the pregame speculation regarding which back would garner the largest workload, Ogunbowale ultimately emerged as the Jaguars' RB1.

The fourth-year back collected 17 touches while accumulating 78 total yards. That includes the 71 yards that he accrued with his 14 attempts as a rusher. Ozigbo was hardly an integral component in Jacksonville‘s attack as he was only entrusted with two touches during the contest. It would be logical for Jacksonville to rest Robinson during Sunday’s matchup at Indianapolis. This elevates Ogunbowale into consideration as a roster addition, who could accrue coveted fantasy points as your flex.

Dark Horses - Week 17 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.

Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4% rostered

#NFLDore Ke'Shawn Vaughn yesterday: career-high 15 carries for a personal-best 62 yards in the @Buccaneers' 47-7 win. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/TS4YAtUPAU

— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) December 27, 2020

Vaughn’s rookie season has failed to reach the optimistic forecasts that developed after Tampa Bay selected him 76th overall during last April’s NFL draft. The newcomer was relegated to a total of 61 snaps from Weeks 1-15, as he also carried just 11 times for 47 yards. However, he led the Buccaneers in rushing attempts (15), and rushing yards (62) during their Week 16 matchup in Detroit. Leonard Fournette carried nine times and accrued 34 yards during a contest in which Tampa Bay’s passing attack shredded the overmatched Lions’ defense for 348 yards and four touchdowns.

If the aerial assault had not transpired, then the touch distribution involving both Fournette and Vaughn would likely have been altered. Both backs enter Week 17 amid the possibility of expanded workloads, as Jones currently remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and is also dealing with a broken finger. Managers should remain cognizant of any updates regarding Jones throughout the week. But Vaughn's performance was encouraging in Week 16, and he could operate as a flex option when the Buccaneers host Atlanta.

Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons

15% rostered

Atlanta’s recent trend of entrusting Smith with lead back responsibilities was extended in Week 16, then the Falcons traveled to Kansas City. Smith was allotted a team-high 10 attempts, while also leading the Falcons with 46 rushing yards. Brian Hill carried seven times, and assembled 36 yards, while Todd Gurley manufactured just 16 yards on four attempts. Smith’s allotment of touches has consistently surpassed the workload that has been assigned to both Hill and Gurley since Week 12.

This has enabled Smith to lead Atlanta in rushing yardage during five consecutive contests, as Smith now paces the Falcons in both attempts (47), and yardage (213) during that span. That easily leads Hill (31 carries/110 yards) and the rapidly declining Gurley (19 attempts/50 yards). This usage has cemented Smith’s status as the preferred back from the Atlanta backfield for fantasy GMs. During a week in which many of your preferred options remain unavailable for various reasons, you can do worse than Smith - who remains available in 85% of all leagues.

Sony Michel, New England Patriots

18% rostered

The irony in Michel’s current ascension into a genuine waiver wire option in late December is enormous. Fantasy GMs have had a legitimate reason to be disinterested in the third year back throughout the regular season due to a cluster of issues. Michel was impacted by a foot injury during training camp, encountered a quad injury in October, and was also placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

But he resurfaced after being absent from Weeks 4-13 and has now accumulated 130 yards on 27 touches since his return. That includes Week 15 when Michel generated 74 yards on 10 attempts. Damien Harris was sidelined during that matchup (ankle), and Michel's prospects of continuing to function as a starter for fantasy GMs will be impacted by the availability of Harris. His status should be monitored as kickoff approaches. If Harris is inactive, Michel will operate as the Patriots' RB1 lead back during Sunday’s matchup with the Jets. Any managers who are contending with the absence of other backs that are currently on their rosters can target Michel this week.

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.

Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons

86% rostered

Gurley was only averaging 3.7 yards per attempt entering Week 10. But he had overcome his inefficiency to also reside at RB16 in point per game scoring by generating nine touchdowns during that span. However, Gurley has only carried 27 times from Weeks 11-16, which has been punctuated by his single rushing attempt in Week 15. He also manufactured just 76 yards during those contests (15.2 per game).

Ito Smith has become Atlanta’s RB1, while Brian Hill has joined Smith in elevating beyond Gurley on the Falcons’ depth chart.  Gurley’s aforementioned numbers in Week 16 have reinforced the overwhelming evidence that he is no longer an option - regardless of your situation at running back. If you are among the managers in 86% of all leagues that continue to have Gurley contained on your roster, he absolutely cannot be used in your lineup. That leaves you with no further incentive to retain him this week.

Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers

75% rostered

Mostert is the specific player involved in this recommendation. But it also to applies to any running back who cannot be started due to an injury. There should be no hesitation to drop any players who will not be active for their own teams. This is particularly true for Mostert, whose troublesome ankle has led to his placement on injured reserve. He had been absent from the lineup from Weeks 7-11 due to the ankle issue but had returned to accrue 218 yards on 53 attempts from Weeks 12-15.

However, his high-ankle sprain will ensure that he will not be involved in San Francisco’s offense this week, and his season has reached a conclusion. That leaves managers with no incentive to allow the wasted roster spot to remain when an alternative option can be infused into the equation. It is safe to jettison Mostert and secure a player who could be a resource in your quest for a championship.

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

77% rostered

You may initially be uncomfortable with the option of removing Mixon from your roster, even though you are aware that this is the final week of the fantasy postseason. You might also hesitate if you had invested a first-round pick on Mixon. But it is unlikely that the Bengals will risk a setback with his problematic foot in order for him to participate in a meaningless matchup.

Mixon had averaged 19.8 attempts and 71.3 yards per game from Weeks 1-6 but has been unavailable since that sequence. However, Giovani Bernard has confiscated the majority of touches during Mixon’s absence (10.4 touches per game), while Samaje Perine has also emerged as an effective rusher. If you are among the managers who have maintained a spot for Mixon during his extended absence, the evidence is enormous that you should not waste a roster space as you approach your final contest of the season. The valuable spot can be used more effectively by locating a player that provides the potential to bolster your Week 17 scoring.

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