Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 6

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 ever-changing scenarios for adjusted schedules. Anyone with Derrick Henry, James Conner, Melvin Gordon, Damien Harris, or James White on their rosters has experienced this process during the past two weeks.

We have also progressed into weekly planning for scheduled bye weeks, which includes the four teams that will be affected this week - Las Vegas, New Orleans, Seattle, and the Los Angeles Chargers. This ensures that anyone with Alvin Kamara, Josh Jacobs, Chris Carson Joshua Kelley, or Justin Jackson on their rosters will have to avoid starting those backs this week. 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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Running Back Leaderboard

Frontrunners - Week 6 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.

Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals

54% rostered

Chase Edmonds has been a mainstay in this column due to his potential to burst for sizable yardage. He has also sustained his status as one of the top two insurance policies among all running backs - along with Alexander Mattison.  This is due to his prospects of igniting as an RB1 for fantasy GMs if Kenyan Drake would experience a reduction in his workload for any reason. Through five weeks, Drake has now carried 85 times but has averaged 3.7 yards per attempt, while manufacturing 314 yards.

Edmonds has continued to capitalize on his opportunities, by accumulating 224 total yards and three touchdowns on 37 touches. That includes his performance in Week 5 when he accrued 92 total yards on eight touches while bolting for a 29-yard touchdown on the ground. Edwards has also been far more involved as a pass-catching weapon than Drake, as his target share (12.7%) and target total (23) easily exceeds Drake’s (3.7%/6 targets). Edmonds is an absolute must add, who could become a league winner if Kliff Kingsbury elevates him beyond Drake on Arizona’s depth chart.

Chase Edmonds turns on the burners to get Arizona on the board first! 7-0 Cards in quarter one pic.twitter.com/Ub4waZWFFV

— 12 SPORTS (@12SportsAZ) October 11, 2020

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings

37% rostered

Only three backs had carried the ball with greater frequency than Dalvin Cook entering the matchups of Week 5. His ability to take advantage of those opportunities had also propelled him into the league lead with 424 rushing yards. This placed constraints on Mattison‘s weekly touch total, as he averaged 7.3 per game from Weeks 1-4. (25% snap share). Cook’s extensive usage and production continued until the third quarter of Minnesota’s matchup in Seattle when he suffered a groin injury.

Alexander Mattison is gonna be an RB1 someday.

— Dave Schwartz (@Dave_Schwartz) October 12, 2020

That propelled Mattison into workhorse responsibilities, and he responded by exploding for 136 total yards on 23 touches, including 112 yards on the ground. Cook's status should be monitored throughout the week. But Mattison's performance has provided the latest reminder that he can instantly supply fantasy GMs with a weekly RB1 if he inherits Cook’s workload for any reason. He remains an elite insurance policy for anyone with Cook on their rosters. Mattison is also a viable roster stash for anyone else due to the soaring value that he would possess if Cook becomes unavailable.

Damien Harris, New England Patriots 

57% rostered

The landscape of New England’s backfield was destined for change prior to the Patriots’ Week 4 matchup with Kansas City. Sony Michel had been highly unproductive in Weeks 1-2, before exploding for his most prolific outing since 2018. Rex Burkhead generated 98 total yards while delivering the first three-touchdown performance of his career in Week 3. But James White was also returning to the team following his absence while Harris was reemerging from injured reserve.

The timing of Harris’ return also coincided with the placement of Michel on injured reserve (quad), which elevated Harris into lead back duties. He attained a 31% snap share while bolting for an even 100 yards on 17 attempts against the Chiefs. He demonstrated that he can perform effectively if he is entrusted with the majority of rushing attempts, and should function as the Patriots’ primary rusher when they host the Broncos on Sunday. Harris is still available in over 40% of all leagues, and he should be one of your top targets on this week’s waiver wire.

In The Running - Week 6 Waiver Wire Running Backs

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

Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos

52% rostered

Lindsay was included in last week’s recommendations but remains rostered in only 52% of all leagues. He is primed to reemerge in Denver’s offense after being absent since Week 1 (turf toe). Melvin Gordon was ninth among all backs in rushing attempts (65) and 10th in rushing yardage (281/6.3 per attempt) from Weeks 1-4 while performing on a career-high 72% of the offensive snaps. Gordon was also infused into Denver’s offense to function as the team’s primary back.

But he will not maintain the same massive workload with Lindsay blending into the backfield. He should receive a respectable touch total after generating  2,048 yards and finishing among the top 14 in rushing during both 2018 and 2019. He will not match his previous yardage totals with Gordon above him on the depth chart. But both backs will be actively involved in the offense and could be deployed on the field at the same time. Lindsay's availability is surprising, and he should be rostered in all leagues.  

Phillip Lindsay: The toe is “100 percent,” and he’s “feeling good."

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) October 10, 2020

Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers

38% rostered

The training camp reps for Jackson and rookie Joshua Kelley provided intrigue in August as both backs were competing for the opportunity to operate as LA's RB2 behind Austin Ekeler. Jackson originally received first-team reps. But the competition evaporated when he encountered a quad injury, and Kelley delivered an impressive camp. Jackson had registered just two attempts from Weeks 1-3 before capturing a 40% snap share during LA’s Week 4 matchup with Tampa Bay.

Estimates vary on the exact length of Ekeler’s absence, but he will be sidelined for multiple weeks.
Kelley should operate as the primary rusher during that span while also commandeering red-zone opportunities.

But Jackson will also be a vital component in a Charger offense that is eighth in run play percentage (47.1%). He should collect enough touches to function as a flex option for managers during that sequence. That elevates him beyond several other waiver wire options whose week-to-week involvement is uncertain.

Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions

57% rostered

Peterson’s role as Detroit’s lead rusher has been consistent through four matchups, while he has run effectively and displayed his durability during those contests. He was 16th among all backs in rushing attempts (54) and 18th in rushing yards (245) as the Lions entered their bye week. He has also performed sufficiently with his respectable workload (4.5 yards per attempt/13.5 attempts per game) to warrant a roster spot for anyone who is searching for options in the flex.

Peterson leads the Lions’ backfield in snap share (40%), while Swift is second (31.4%), and Kerryon Johnson lags in third (26.5%). Peterson has easily commandeered the highest number of rushing attempts on the team, and his yardage total easily exceeds the totals for Johnson and Swift. Johnson has carried just 21 times while manufacturing 71 yards (3.4 per attempt) while Swift has been limited to 12 carries and 42 yards (3.5 per attempt). Peterson remains available in over 40% of all leagues and remains a potential solution for anyone contending with roster challenges.

FIRST: You can't stop @AdrianPeterson ?
Second: WOW @TheeHOCK8!!

That's a TD AND 2-point conversion for the @Lions late in the 4th quarter.

?: #NOvsDET on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/T1i6s2rIdv pic.twitter.com/6fv4kknbnm

— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2020

Dark Horses - Week 6 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.

Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams

39% rostered

Your initial reaction to the possibility of adding Brown will not match the enthusiasm for targeting more dynamic players. Nor will it duplicate the passion that exists for Brown’s teammates Cam Akers or Darrell Henderson. However, Brown has sustained a respectable percentage within Sean McVay’s weekly touch distribution, while averaging 10.6 rushing attempts per game. His week-to-week total has ranged between 7-11 carries, while Brown has also attained the largest snap share among LA backs during three of the team’s first five matchups.

The reemergence of Akers after a two-game absence (ribs) injected an additional layer of congestion into the Rams’ backfield. Brown also does not have Akers’ Round-2 draft pedigree, nor can he match Henderson’s potential for huge gains. But he has retained ongoing involvement in the weekly touch allotment within LA’s crowded backfield. This supplies the rationale for including him on your roster, during a season in which multiple factors can leave managers scrambling for flex options.

Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons

21% rostered

Todd Gurley is still the lead back in Atlanta. But Hill is the insurance policy for savvy managers with Gurley on their rosters. The fourth-year back entered 2020 with 122 career touches during his first three seasons. But he did erupt for 115 yards on just eight attempts during Atlanta’s Week 16 matchup in 2018. Hill also demonstrated his potential to perform efficiently when he established season highs in attempts and rushing yards in Week 3 (9/58).

Hill also separated from Ito Smith into defined RB2 duties during that contest, as his 35% snap share, easily exceeded Smith’s (9%). He also assembled 54 total yards on eight touches in Week 5, while maintaining his role as the backup to Gurley (18 touches/150 total yards). Hill remains available in over 70% of all leagues and is a worthy roster addition for anyone who prefers to elude a roster crisis if Gurley is sidelined for any reason.

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team

6% rostered

The relentless avalanche of injuries, ineffectiveness, and evolving schedules was mentioned in the introduction. These factors have forced many fantasy GMs to extend their flexibility to new levels in order to locate emergency options that can be inserted into their starting lineups. That scenario transpired once again as Week 5 kickoffs were rapidly approaching, and this recommendation to add McKissic in PPR leagues is made with that uncomfortable process in mind.

Antonio Gibson is the lead back in Washington. However, McKissic has confiscated responsibilities as the team’s primary pass-catching back. He has garnered eight targets in two different matchups, including his team-high total in Week 5. McKissic also leads Washington’s backfield in targets (25), receptions (17), and receiving yards (124), while his snap share has ranged between 44% and 55% during the season. His involvement as a receiving weapon elevates McKissic among the viable options for anyone who is participating in PPR leagues.

Nice footwork from J.D. McKissic to maximise the gain on this catch. pic.twitter.com/pZhiI6CPOK

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 11, 2020

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.

Sony Michel, New England Patriots

35% rostered

Michel ascended into the role of New England’s primary rusher during his 2018 rookie season while finishing 14^th overall in attempts, and 15^th in rushing yards (9314/5 per attempt). But there has been a litany of inefficient performances since that initial season. Michel’s averages declined significantly during 2019 (57 yards per game/3.7 yards per attempt). He also remained extremely ineffective in Weeks 1-2 (3.2 yards per attempt/28 yards per game) before delivering a rare productive outing in Week 3 (9 attempts/117 yards).

Michel’s placement on injured reserve (quad) was mentioned previously, and he appears destined for a diminished role upon his return. Harris performed impressively while operating in Michel’s usual role during New England’s Week 4 matchup (17 attempts/110 yards/5.9 per attempt). James White has also re-captured his responsibilities as New England’s primary pass-catching back, while Rex Burkhead perpetually looms as a candidate to siphon touches. All of these factors have collapsed Michel’s ceiling while providing fantasy GMs with significant motivation to remove him from their rosters.

Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions

26% rostered  

Peterson's aforementioned status as the team leader in rushing attempts and rushing yardage indicates that he is Detroit's lead rusher. D'Andre Swift's deployment in the ground game has been minimal. But he has become the Lions' primary pass-catching back. Swift leads the Lion backfield in targets (16/4 per game) receptions (13) and receiving yards (124).

While Peterson and Swift maintain their responsibilities, Johnson has been relegated to minimal involvement in both the ground game and Detroit's aerial efforts. Johnson has averaged just 5.3 attempts per game during his first four matchups, and just three carries per game since Week 3. He is also a distant third among Detroit's trio of running backs in targets (3), receptions (2) and receiving yards (17). Modest usage as both a rusher and receiver is not a formula for viability in a running back. Fantasy GMs can do better and should remove Johnson from their rosters this week.

Jordan Howard, Miami Dolphins

33% rostered

Here is the latest reminder that Howard is not collecting enough touches to function as a resource on anyone’s roster. He was only accruing a modest workload entering Week (4.5 attempts per game) and was not running effectively with the opportunities that he was receiving. Howard was averaging just 0.8 yards per attempt and had manufactured just 14 yards on 18 carries. Howard’s season degenerated even further in Week 5 when he became a healthy scratch.

It is highly unlikely that Howard’s situation will improve, as Myles Gaskin has commandeered the Dolphins’ lead back responsibilities. Gaskin has now accumulated 247 rushing yards on 64 attempts. Gaskin has also collected 23 of his 25 targets while assembling 147 yards as a pass-catcher. Matt Breida has also maintained involvement in the offense, while Howard has now been relegated to a non-entity. He is somehow rostered in 33% of all leagues, and that is no reason for that to continue.

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