Top Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 14: Tevin Coleman, Dontrell Hilliard, Kenneth Gainwell, Ameer Abdullah

December 7, 2021

Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups before Week 14 of the 2021 NFL season. His free agent RBs to add, stream and stash off waivers.

All of you 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 14. That places us at the threshold of the fantasy postseason.

There is now only bye week remaining, although the absence of players from those four teams will be particularly impactful at the running back position. That includes the final four teams that will be affected this week – Indianapolis, Miami, New England, and Philadelphia, which all rely on backs that are contained on numerous fantasy rosters. This ensures that anyone with Jonathan Taylor, Myles Gaskin, Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Miles Sanders, Kenny Gainwell, and Boston Scott must avoid starting those backs this week.

Regardless of why you are considering your waiver wire options, this week’s 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.

Remaining Bye Week Schedule

• Week 14: Indianapolis, Miami, New England, Philadelphia

Week 13 Rushing Leaders

Frontrunners - Running Backs to Pickup in Week 14

These backs should be your top waiver wire pickup priorities among the options that are available on most waiver wires. Some will be more beneficial in PPR formats than standard.

Tevin Coleman, New York Jets - 42% Rostered

Coleman has now accumulated 27 attempts and 125 rushing yards during the Jets’ last two matchups after he easily commandeered the majority of carries that were allotted to members of New York’s restructured backfield in Week 13.

Tevin Coleman takes it to the edge and makes it goal-to-go pic.twitter.com/HI99eu1DpI

— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) November 28, 2021

Coleman carried a team-high 11 times and generated 58 yards on the ground when the Jets hosted Philadelphia, and also led the backfield with four targets, three receptions, and 19 receiving yards. Coleman had been averaging 5.0 attempts and 19.7 yards per game from Weeks 1-11, while Michael Carter was also in the lineup. However, he has benefitted from an expanded workload during Carter’s two-game absence (ankle).

Ty Johnson had been averaging 4.4 attempts and 3.5 targets per game entering Week 13 but only registered three touches against the Eagles. Austin Walter had surprisingly accrued nine rushing attempts when the Jets traveled to Houston in Week 12 but he was also limited to three touches.

Carter could return as early as Week 15, which would impact Coleman’s workload. However, many of you must win your matchups this week, which elevates Coleman among the top options to prioritize.

D'Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans - 42% Rostered   

The Titans promoted Foreman to their active roster on November 6 as part of their forced conversion from their utilization of Derrick Henry as their offensive foundation piece. Foreman has now averaged 12.3 attempts and 54.7 yards per game from Weeks 10-12 while leading Tennessee in both categories (37 carries/164 yards). That includes his usage and production when the Titans traveled to New England, as Foreman established career highs in attempts (19) and yardage (109). Foreman also averaged 5.7 yards per attempt while attaining a 49% snap share - which was also the highest of his career.

D'Onta Foreman fumbles after a big run! Jalen Mills recovers the football!#TENvsNE #NFL #NFLTwitter #Titans #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/jtuC1KMk3T

— Football Outsiders (@fboutsiders) November 28, 2021

Foreman did have a fumble while operating against the Patriots but will continue to share opportunities with Dontrell Hilliard and Jeremy McNichols, whenever McNichols reemerges from concussion protocol. However, the 6’1”, 235-pound Foreman provides a physical presence that should keep him highly involved in Tennessee’s touch distribution. Foreman should also garner another sizable workload when the Titans host Jacksonville’s 21st-ranked run defense on Sunday (115.8 yards per game). He remains available in nearly 60% of all leagues and can be inserted with confidence as an RB3/flex in your lineups.

Dontrell Hilliard, Tennessee Titans - 40% Rostered

Hilliard joins his teammate Foreman in presenting needy fantasy managers with a legitimate option during the crucial matchups that remain. He was signed to the Titans’ roster on November 23, and promptly seized a role in Tennessee’s reshaped backfield.

Hilliard carried seven times and generated 35 yards when the Titans hosted AFC rival Houston in Week 11. However, he also generated career-highs in multiple categories while leading Tennessee in targets (10) and receptions (eight), and generating 47 yards as the Titans' pass-catching back. Hilliard also established new career bests in rushing attempts (12) and rushing yards (131) in Week 12, which was highlighted by his 68-yard touchdown.

From Tulane to the Tennessee Titans! @D_Hilliard26

📺: Watch #TENvsNE on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/RzRDWUMHgE

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 28, 2021

Hilliard also procured a 57% snap share during those matchups, including a 63% share in Week 11. Hilliard can infuse a level of speed into the backfield that Foreman cannot replicate while operating as an effective complement to Foreman’s physical presence. He is attainable in 60% of all leagues and can be prioritized among this week’s more enticing options.

In The Running - More Running Backs to Pickup

These are more running backs to pick up for Week 14 and remain available on the waiver wire but are not necessarily must-adds.

Kenny Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles - 12% Rostered  

Jordan Howard was sidelined for a second consecutive week (knee) when Philadelphia visited the Jets. This cleared a path for another Eagles back to accumulate touches while operating in a rotation with Miles Sanders.

Kenny G with more beautiful tunes@KENNETHGAINWEL | #PHIvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/REJL8POFd7

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 5, 2021

However, Boston Scott was not the recipient of this expanded role, as had been expected. Instead, it was Gainwell, who accumulated a season-high 17 touches and assembled 87 total yards. That includes Gainwell’s season-best 54 yards on the ground, as he averaged 4.5 yards per attempt while also generating an 18-yard touchdown.

Gainwell also captured all five of his targets and generated 33 receiving yards - which was his highest total since Week 7. Scott had been contending with an illness but was active for the game. However, Gainwell catapulted into a sizable role. He could remain a significant contributor to the Eagles’ offense following their Week 14 bye depending upon the health of Sanders and Howard.

Sanders suffered an ankle injury during the second half if the Eagles’ Week 13 matchup, and his status should be monitored as Philadelphia’s Week 15 showdown with Washington approaches. However, neither the bye week nor the uncertainty surrounding Sanders and Howard should prevent you from targeting Gainwell if you are attempting to bolster your postseason roster.

Ameer Abdullah, Carolina Panthers - 4% Rostered

Abdullah began accruing touches even before Christian McCaffrey returned from his lingering hamstring injury in Week 9. He had originally ascended into a backfield rotation with Chuba Hubbard in Week 8 when Abdullah accumulated 11 touches while generating 66 total yards. That included his involvement in Carolina’s ground game (eight carries/31 yards). He also captured three of his five targets while assembling 35 yards as a receiver.

His role as a pass-catching back was sustained after McCaffrey had resurfaced, as Abdullah was 11th among all backs with 20 targets (4.0 per game) from Weeks 8-12, even though McCaffrey was operating as the Panthers’ lead back during four of those five matchups (24 targets/6.0 per game). Hubbard was only targeted five times during those contests, while Abdullah also accumulated 13 receptions and 112 yards during that span.

His receiving numbers should only rise following McCaffrey’s season-ending ankle issue, providing that the sudden firing of offensive coordinator Joe Brady does not lead to modifications in usage for Hubbard and Abdullah. Hubbard’s rostership percentage has risen from 37% to 74% during the past week in anticipation of his workload when Carolina hosts Atlanta. However, Abdullah remains available in 96% of all leagues, and should also function as a reliable point producer in the PPR format.

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team - 50% Rostered

McKissic remained in concussion protocol during Washington’s Week 13 matchup in Las Vegas but can function as a valuable resource in PPR leagues whenever he resumes his responsibilities as the Football Team’s pass-catching back.

J.D. McKissic breaks away for this TD 💨

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/7QhXITG8V5

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 30, 2021

Last season’s target leader among running backs (110/6.9 per game) was also inside the top-six at his position in targets (53/4.8 per game), receptions (43/3.9 per game), and receiving yards (397/36.1 per game) prior to his injury. McKissic has also supplemented his output as a receiver by assembling 212 rushing yards with his 48 attempts.

Antonio Gibson (28) and Wendell Smallwood (three) shared the touches that were distributed to the backfield during McKissic’s absence in Week 13, but McKissic will recapture his critical role in Washington’s attack whenever he returns. He remains available in 50% of all leagues and can function as a dependable weekly starter for fantasy managers who are managing rosters in the PPR format.

Dark Horses - Deeper Waiver Wire Running Backs

This group consists of waiver wire 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.

Matt Breida, Buffalo Bills- 39% Rostered 

Breida’s stock has surged at a time when fantasy managers are attempting to navigate through late-season lineup challenges. The fifth-year back had only played on 12 snaps prior to Week 10, but the Bills infused Breida’s speed into a rotation with Devin Singletary from Weeks 10-12. He also led the Bills in rushing yards during that sequence (105/35 per game), including a team-high 51 while averaging 10.2 yards per attempt when Buffalo hosted Indianapolis in Week 11. He also led the backfield in targets (7/2.3 per game), receptions (6/2.0 per game), and receiving yards (67/per game) during that span.

Screen pass to @MattBreida and he does the rest.@JoshAllenQB has FOUR touchdown passes! #BillsMafia

📺: #BUFvsNO on NBC
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/831fFBhNsU

— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2021

Singletary has manufactured 140 yards on 35 attempts (4.0 yards per attempt) since Breida elevated into the backfield rotation, while Singletary has also averaged 2.3 targets, 1.7 receptions, and 12 yards per game as a pass-catcher. Zack Moss had been jettisoned from the rotation in Week 12 while being designated as a healthy scratch. However, he reemerged in Week 13, as touches were distributed to Breida, Singletary, and Moss when Buffalo hosted New England. The return of a three-man rotation has lowered Breida's placement among this week's options. However, he can still be secured as a flex option by anyone who participates in PPR leagues.

D'Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns - 18% Rostered

If you are wondering why Johnson is included in this week’s recommendations - even though Nick Chubb (COVID) and Kareem Hunt (calf) have returned to Cleveland’s lineup - then this is your reminder that Johnson has stockpiled 325 total yards on 50 touches during the two games in which he has been elevated into lead back duties. That includes Johnson’s rushing numbers (41 carries/245 yards), which underscores his ability to generate significant yardage totals if he is operating with an extensive workload.

D'Ernest Johnson should get more playing time, it shouldn't only come when everyone else is out.pic.twitter.com/2EDnm99Eug

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 14, 2021

This provides the potential for him to become a valuable resource during the fantasy postseason if Chubb or Hunt is absent once again. That also separates Johnson from other backs who are positioned to benefit from an increased workload but are not candidates to become difference makers if that scenario develops.

Johnson’s rostership percentage has steadily declined since Chubb and Hunt have resurfaced, and he is currently available in over 80% of all leagues. Johnson possesses an enormous talent that is worthy of adding to your roster. Particularly if you are attempting to stash options that present an enticing degree of upside.

Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans - 23% Rostered

Burkhead entered Week 8 with a 9% snap share and had accumulated just four targets and one rushing attempt. However, the trade of Mark Ingram II and the release of Phillip Lindsay removed multiple obstructions from what had been a highly congested backfield. Burkhead had also been impacted by a hip issue during that sequence, but his snap share has risen to 53% since Week 11, including a season-high 61% during the Texans’ Week 12 matchup with the Jets. 

Burkhead also accrued a team-high 38 carries since Week 11, while producing 97 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards during those three contests. David Johnson was inactive in Week 13 (illness) although the seven-year veteran should share touches with Burkhead when Houston hosts Seattle on Sunday.

However, Burkhead is positioned to continue operating as Houston’s primary rusher. That makes him worthy of consideration if you are scrambling to locate a flex option in deeper leagues.

Time To Say Goodbye - Running Backs To Drop

These are running backs to drop or cut from fantasy rosters in order to secure an RB with greater potential to bolster your scoring during the year.

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts - 56% Rostered

Hines’ home-run capabilities remain enticing, but his opportunities have become too infrequent for fantasy managers to deploy him in their lineups.

Hines has only carried 10 times during the Colts’ last four matchups while also failing to surpass three attempts during three of those contests. He has averaged just 17.5 yards per game on the ground since Week 10 and has not exceeded 12 yards in three of his last six games.

Hines also finished fifth among all backs in targets during 2020 (58/4.8 per game) and was fourth in receptions (47/3.9 per game) and third in receiving yards (384/30.1 per game). However, he has averaged 3.2 per game since Week 5 while also averaging 2.0 receptions and 15.3 yards per game during that span.

Anyone with Taylor on their rosters has the option of retaining Hines as a safeguard if Taylor is sidelined for any reason. However, Hines’ potential for explosiveness loses significance if he is minimally involved on a weekly basis. There should be no hesitation in removing him if you have encountered significant roster challenges this week.

Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills - 48% Rostered

A recommendation to drop Moss was included in this section exactly one week ago, and fantasy managers in 14% of leagues have removed him from their rosters. He had averaged just 4.3 attempts and 12.7 yards per game from Weeks 9-11, while he also managed only 2.9 yards per attempt during those matchups. Moss also failed to exceed 24 yards since Week 6 and has remained under 40 rushing yards during six consecutive games from Weeks 5-11.

He was then relegated to healthy scratch status when the Bills traveled to New Orleans in Week 12, as Matt Breida vaulted into a rotation with Devin Singletary during that contest. Moss did resurface in Week 13, as touches were allotted to all three backs.

It is conceivable that the workload for all three members of the backfield could be modified once again. However, the potential for a significant rise in Moss’ weekly touch totals is not something to include in your planning process. This is especially true if you are competing feverishly to secure a playoff spot or are reshaping your roster for the postseason. You are better served to bolster your lineup for the upcoming weeks by locating a more productive option.

Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks - 37 % Rostered

While Collins is listed specifically, this recommendation applies to all members of the Seattle backfield as it is currently constituted. The infusion of Adrian Peterson into what was already a highly congested backfield should produce an amalgamated mess when Collins returns from his abdomen issue.

Collins functioned as Seattle’s lead back from Weeks 5-12 and was allotted 12.6 attempts per game during that sequence. However, he averaged 3.6 yards per attempt and 45.4 yards per game. Collins also failed to exceed 47 yards during six of those seven matchups, while collecting just seven targets and manufacturing only 52 receiving yards.

Collins now appears destined to share touches with a blend of Peterson, DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer (calf), and Rashaad Penny (hamstring), if each back is healthy in Week 14. Peterson (11), Penny (10), and Homer (three) combined for 24 carries against San Francisco in Week 13, and the prospects of a weekly committee approach will create a situation that you should not be involved with. That delivers your incentive to locate a more favorable option from this week's waiver wire.

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