Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 10

Phil Clark's fantasy football running back waiver wire pickups before Week 10.

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 ongoing potential for adjusted schedules.

Scheduled bye weeks have also been impactful in lineup decisions. That process continues this week, as players from Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, and the New York Jets will be unavailable due to their byes. This ensures that anyone with Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, Le’Veon Bell, or Clyde Edwards-Helaire on their rosters will have to avoid starting them in their Week 10 lineups. 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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Frontrunners - Week 10 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.

Duke Johnson, Houston Texans

15% rostered

In Week 5, Johnson entered the post-Bill O’Brien era. This launched optimism that he might procure a larger workload without the encumbrance of having O’Brien determine his weekly touch totals. Johnson only received a 28.3% snap share during his first three games following the transition. He was also limited to eight rushing attempts, while also collecting eight targets. But even though he was not experiencing sizable usage, he remained embedded as Houston’s RB2. This presented the potential for a favorable workload if David Johnson would be unavailable for any reason, and that scenario emerged in Week 9.

Add on a few more!

Duke Johnson gets it done in the Red Zone.

?: CBS
?: https://t.co/Nm64mQkAPf pic.twitter.com/T0VeT6CCUh

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 8, 2020

David was sidelined by a concussion. which immediately elevated Duke into lead back duties. He collected 16 touches while accumulating a season-high 73 total yards and his first touchdown of the season. David has entered concussion protocol, which leaves his status uncertain for the Texans’  matchup with Cleveland. But anyone with David on their rosters should prioritize Duke among the Week 10 waiver wire targets. All other managers should pursue Duke this week, as he could be operating as Houston’s RB1 on Sunday.

Jordan Wilkins, Indianapolis Colts

26% rostered

Wilkins entered Week 8 with a 13% snap share and season-long totals of 29 rushing attempts, and 94 rushing yards. But he catapulted into the fantasy landscape after collecting 20 carries and generated 89 rushing yards against the Lions. He also attained a 51% snap share, during his Week 8 matchup while Jonathan Taylor was limited to 11 rushing attempts, 22 yards, and a season-worst 34% snap share.

In Week 9, Wilkins led the Colts’ backfield in touches (13), and rushing attempts (11), while also generating a team-high 38 total yards against Baltimore. Taylor was allotted just six carries and two targets while manufacturing 34 total yards. Taylor’s usage and output have become nightmarish for anyone who invested in him during the draft process. But that has also presented an opportunity for fantasy GMs to seize Wilkins. He is still available in nearly 75% of all leagues and has elevated into RB3 terrain whenever Indianapolis benefits from a favorable matchup.

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys 

33% rostered

There were already genuine reasons for concern regarding Ezekiel Elliott even before he encountered a hamstring injury. His uncharacteristic fumbling issue (five) had blended unfavorably with his declining usage and output in Weeks 6-8 (43 attempts/157 rushing yards/68% snap share). Elliott’s problematic hamstring did not affix him to the sideline in Week 9 as was originally reported. But Pollard generated more rushing yards with his nine attempts against the Steelers (57), then Elliott did with literally twice as many attempts (18/51).

Ezekiel Elliott rushes of 20+ yards Weeks 1-9: 1

Tony Pollard rushes of 20+ yards in Week 9: 2

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 8, 2020

Pollard has now accumulated 34 attempts and generated 144 rushing yards since Week 6. That includes the season-high 57 that he assembled in Week 9 versus Pittsburgh. Dak Prescott’s absence has fueled a devastating decline in the Dallas offense, and the Cowboys’ decision-makers could decide to infuse Pollard’s playmaking capabilities into the struggling attack. Pollard also continues to provide an outstanding insurance policy for anyone who has been depending on Elliott for fantasy points, as his presence on rosters would prevent an in-season nightmare for those managers.

In The Running - Week 10 Waiver Wire Running Backs

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

J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team

 37% rostered

Great job by Alex Smith keeping the play alive and finding J.D. McKissic to convert on 3rd and 2 pic.twitter.com/368nd0peYc

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) November 8, 2020

Many managers have remained indifferent toward including McKissic on their rosters, even though he has repeatedly displayed the ability to function as a starter in PPR leagues. The fifth-year back has accumulated 32 attempts since Week 2 and has been targeted 38 times since Week 4. That includes his usage in Week 9 when McKissic established a season-high 14 targets and amassed 82 total yards.

McKissic's target total led Washington during the team's NFC East matchup with the Giants, while he also collected more touches than Gibson (12/9). Alex Smith spearheaded the offense following Kyle Allen’s in-game ankle injury, which contributed to McKissic’s target total. However, McKissic’s involvement has been steady throughout the season, as he has now averaged a snap share in excess of 50% during each of Washington's last five matchups. He remains available in over 60% of all leagues and can operate as a weekly flex option for anyone who is participating in the PPR format.

Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints

60% rostered

Some fantasy GMs have decided to drop Murray during the past several weeks, which now leaves him available in 40% of all leagues. That is a surprising development, as there are multiple reasons why managers should retain Murray on their rosters. He remains entrenched among the elite group of insurance policies at the running back position. Even though Alvin Kamara has performed in all eight of New Orleans’ matchups, he did miss two games last season. Murray exploded for 221 rushing yards on 48 attempts during those contests and finished at RB1 in scoring during that span.

Murray has also remained sufficiently involved in the Saints’ offense to approach standalone value, collecting 10+ carries in five of New Orleans’ eight matchups. He has also averaged 11.7 touches per game while exceeding 50 total yards in four of his last six contests. If you have invested an early first-round draft pick on Kamara, it is highly recommended that you protect your team from a significant roster crisis by securing Murray. Anyone else can consider stashing him, as he would become an instant RB1 if Kamara is suddenly unavailable for any reason.

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens

37% rostered

Gus Edwards punches it in to give the Ravens (+1) a 14-10 lead

Edwards anytime TD +240 ✅#BarstoolSportsbook
pic.twitter.com/qrWaM8Udnw

— Bet The Pigskin (@betthepigskin) November 8, 2020

Mark Ingram‘s impending return from his ankle injury supplies the potential for Baltimore to reinstitute a three-back rotation.  However, that does not automatically eliminate Edwards from consideration as a flex option for multiple reasons. He had attained a 33.5% snap share prior to Ingram’s absence in Week 8, compared to Dobbins’ 36.7% and 29.6% for Ingram. His workload (27 attempts) and output (110 rushing yards) has also been favorable in his last two matchups without Ingram in the lineup.

Ingram might not recapture the same touch total this that he had received prior to his injury due to the performances of Edwards and Dobbins while he was unavailable. This bolsters the favorable outlook for both Edwards and Dobbins, although Dobbins is only available in 21% percent of all leagues. However, the pathway to adding Edwards is far more accessible as he is rostered in 63% of all leagues. This elevates him among the enticing flex options that are attainable on this week’s waiver wire.

Dark Horses - Week 10 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.

DeeJay Dallas, Seattle Seahawks

38% rostered

DeeJay Dallas finds the end zone for the @seahawks!

?: #SEAvsBUF on FOX
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/MXkgo0fhcN pic.twitter.com/49NcJcDvbu

— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2020

Dallas entered Week 8 with 23 career snaps and two rushing attempts. But the rookie has been allotted 32 touches while accumulating 97 total yards during Seattle's last two contests. Chris Carson’s foot issue has kept him cemented to the sideline during both matchups, and his absence has coincided with Carlos Hyde‘s problematic hamstring to elevate Dallas into an expanded workload during that span. He has also produced three touchdowns in those two contests, including a 4-yard score during the Seahawks' Week 9 matchup in Buffalo.

Travis Homer recovered sufficiently from his Week 8 knee issue to absorb nine touches, and Carson or Hyde could resurface for Seattle's NFC West showdown with the Rams on Sunday. But Dallas should not be ignored on your waiver wire. He is still attainable in over 60% of all leagues and is now an effective insurance policy for anyone with Carson on their rosters. He should have accomplished enough during his performances to secure a loftier spot on the depth chart and is a highly recommended roster stash for anyone in deeper leagues.

Wayne Gallman, New York Giants

25% rostered

Wayne Gallman finds the end zone in back to back weeks.#ClemsonNFL @waynegallman

pic.twitter.com/Y1Fv1Smr8j

— #ClemsonNFL (@ClemsonPros) November 8, 2020

Gallman had only averaged a snap share of 16% from Weeks 1-6 and was relegated to 15 touches and 67 rushing yards. But those numbers have expanded during the Giants’ last three matchups, as Devonta Freeman’s ankle issue elevated Gallman into RB1 responsibilities for the Giants. His snap share has increased to 48%, while he has accumulated 36 attempts and 146 yards on the ground. That includes his usage and production during New York’s Week 9 matchup with NFC East rival Washington when Gallman established new season highs in rushing attempts (14) and rushing yardage (68)

The fourth-year back might not produce the same level of enthusiasm that several other backs will elicit during this weeks’ journey to the waiver wire. But he presents flex value for anyone who is desperately due to injuries, byes, and COVID-19 related absence. Freeman’s status should be monitored as the week progresses. However, Gallman might have earned a sizable role in the Giants' backfield even if Freeman returns for Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia.

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

30% rostered

As the Rams prepared to enter their post-Gurley era, it appeared that Akers was primed to ascend to the top of LA’s depth chart.  The Rams had invested a second-round selection on Akers, and his perceived ability as a rusher, receiver, and pass-catcher provided many fantasy GMs with the incentive to seize him for their rosters. But the season has not progressed favorably for Akers, as he entered LA’s Week 9 bye with just 35 rushing attempts, and 148 yards (4.2 yards per attempt).

To be clear, this is not a suggestion that Akers will suddenly confiscate the majority of opportunities within the Rams’ crowded backfield. Darrell Henderson should be fully recovered from his thigh issue when LA hosts Seattle on Sunday. Sean McVay’s penchant for keeping Malcolm Brown involved should also remain firmly intact. But Akers is now available in nearly 70% of all leagues, and anyone with sufficient roster space can consider stashing him. It is still possible that he could become a valuable resource before the fantasy playoffs have concluded.

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.

Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens

60% rostered

From Weeks 1-5, Ingram averaged nine attempts and 41 yards per game. Since that sequence, he has carried five times, manufactured 20 yards, and missed two straight contests with an ankle injury. Ingram has only led Baltimore’s trio of backs in snap share just once all season. That occurred back in Week 2, which was also the only game in which Ingram’s snap count percentage has surpassed 36%. J.K. Dobbins’ snap share soared from 37% in Weeks 1-6 to 65% during Ingram’s absence, while Gus Edwards has now accumulated 41 carries during the Ravens’ last three matchups.

Edwards and Dobbins have also been entrusted with a combined 27 rushing attempts without Ingram involved in the touch distribution. Baltimore’s multi-pronged rotational approach will continue after Ingram reemerges. But Edwards and Dobbins could garner larger workloads than they received before Ingram’s ankle issue. The ceiling on Ingram’s usage and production should motivate managers to locate alternative roster options. If current roster challenges make it problematic for you to drop Ingram it will be important to temper your expectations during the remaining weeks of the season.

Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers

46% rostered 

The workloads for first-year backs often increase as the season progresses. However, that process has been reversed for Kelley. He overcame the unique obstacles that confronted rookies during an abbreviated offseason and performed impressively during the Chargers’ training camp. His role within a timeshare with third-year back Justin Jackson was unquestioned entering the regular season, and Kelley capitalized initially by generating 167 yards on 43 attempts from Weeks 1-3. That placed him 13th in carries and 21st in rushing yards entering Week 4.

But the 14.3 attempts per game average that he attained during that sequence has dropped to 9.6, while what was once a 55.7 yards per game average entering Week 4 has plummeted to 24.8. His opportunity to sustain a significant role in LA’s backfield has now evaporated. If the fact that Troymaine Pope was entrusted with more carries in Week 8 does not convince you to remove Kelley from your rosters, then the fact that Kalen Ballage out-touched him in Week 9 (17-14) should cement your decision to drop him.

Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions

54% rostered

Detroit’s commitment toward deployment of three different backs and the increased workload for promising rookie D’Andre Swift have combined to remove all rationale for retaining Peterson on your rosters. The 35-year old Peterson had been operating as a viable flex option earlier this year, as he was 13th among all backs in rushing attempts, and 12th in yardage entering Week 4. He was also averaging 14.3 attempts and 69.7 yards per game from Weeks 1-3.

But those averages have dropped to 6.5 attempts and 18 yards per game during Detroit’s last two matchups, including a season-low five carries in Week 8. Swift has collected 42 rushing attempts since Week 6, including 13 in Week 9. He has also generated 208 yards during that sequence, while Peterson has manufactured 105. Swift’s involvement should rise even further during the upcoming weeks, while Kerryon Johnson will also siphon touches on a weekly basis. This will prevent Peterson from generating numbers that would warrant keeping him on your rosters.

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