For a player to be listed, he must be owned in 50 percent (or less) of Yahoo! leagues. The goal is to provide recommendations of players that have a greater chance of being available on your league's waiver wire. Of course, your league's size and settings could significantly impact whether these players (or better options) are available in your particular league(s).
With that said, here are some running back waiver-wire options that I like heading into Week 8 (Yahoo! ownership in parenthesis):
[Note: Players listed below are sorted by my preference to add.]
1(a). Doug Martin, Oakland Raiders (23 percent)
As expected, the Raiders have placed Marshawn Lynch on Injured Reserve, which essentially ends his season (although he's technically eligible to return in Week 16) and perhaps his career. That opens up opportunities for Martin in addition to Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, but the low-powered offense may not lead to a ton of fantasy points for the Muscle Hamster.
Averaging less than 3.0 yards per carry in each of the previous two seasons, Martin is averaging 3.67 YPC on just 27 carries (99 yards) this season. He's added five yards on four receptions. If you're in a PPR league, I'd prefer Richard over Martin; hence, the 1(a) and 1(b) rankings.
1(b). Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders (20 percent)
Richard has already set a career high with 31 receptions and is just three yards shy of his career high in receiving yards. Over the past four weeks, he has finished as a top-30 PPR running back three times with the exception being an RB38 weekly finish. Especially with the Raiders trading away Amari Cooper on Monday, it wouldn't be a surprise if Richard is targeted even more than before Cooper's trade and Lynch's injury and he was already on pace for nearly 100 targets.
3. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers (13 percent)
Over the past two weeks, Mostert has finished with 87 and 78 yards from scrimmage, respectively. If Matt Breida (ankle) sits out a game or two, Mostert should get the most opportunities in the San Francisco backfield over Alfred Morris. Either way, he's worth adding in all league formats.
4. Frank Gore, Miami Dolphins (30 percent)
Gore gained only 29 yards on his 10 carries in Week 7, but he now has double-digit carries in four consecutive games. He continues to share the backfield workload with Kenyan Drake, but he's one of seven running backs to get double-digit carries in each of the past four weeks. With the bye weeks beginning in earnest, a running back that's a virtual lock for double-digit carries should be owned in more than 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
5. Chris Ivory, Buffalo Bills (8 percent)
With LeSean McCoy leaving early in Week 7, Ivory carried the ball 16 times for 81 yards and added three receptions for 25 yards. If McCoy (concussion) isn't able to go on Monday night, Ivory could be a low-upside, volume-play RB2 in Week 8. Since the Bills and Patriots play on Monday Night Football, he could be insurance for both McCoy and/or Sony Michel owners.
- More Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Advice Heading Into Week 8
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