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 13 (Yahoo! ownership in parenthesis):
[Note: Players listed below are sorted by my preference to add.]
1. Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars (37 percent)
Not only was Leonard Fournette ejected in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Bills, but he was suspended for one game (Week 13). With Fournette out, Hyde should handle more of the early-down snaps with T.J. Yeldon maintaining a change-of-pace third-down role. Hyde, who gained 33 yards on 10 Week 12 carries, could be a volume-based RB2 against the Colts in Week 13.
2. LeGarrette Blount, Detroit Lions (14 percent)
Ending his four-game streak of single-digit rushing yards, Blount blew up for 19/88/2 rushing on Turkey Day as he filled in for injured Kerryon Johnson. If the rookie out of Auburn is unable to go again in Week 13, Blount could be in the flex conversation against the Rams. Barring a few goal-line opportunities for Blount, game script may make Theo Riddick a more attractive option as the Lions could be in catch-up mode early.
* Note: Riddick is owned in 51 percent of Yahoo! leagues and he'd be the top add if you play in a PPR league.
3. Doug Martin, Oakland Raiders (47 percent)
Since taking over as the starter for the injured Marshawn Lynch, Martin has double-digit carries every week and an average of 12.0 per game over that five-game stretch. Scoring his first touchdown of the season on Sunday, Martin has been efficient — despite the lack of touchdowns — with an average of 4.75 yards per carry and 9.5 yards per catch. Not only does he get a favorable matchup in Week 13 against the Chiefs, but he has four plus matchups over the final five weeks of the season.
4. Rex Burkhead, New England Patriots (19 percent)
Burkhead has been activated, but more than anything, his return poses a risk for Sony Michel and James White. At the same time, he had eight touchdowns in 10 games for the Patriots last season so he's worth the stash if you have an available roster spot.
5. Frank Gore, Miami Dolphins (25 percent)
Gore has 10-plus carries in eight consecutive games and 15-plus touches in three straight. Even though he has just two top-20 weekly performances this season, Gore has finished as a top-35 fantasy back in seven of his past eight weeks played. In a winnable game (Miami's favored by five) against the Bills in Week 13, Gore could once again approach 15-plus touches.
6. Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers (1 percent)
Suffering an MCL injury in Week 12, Melvin Gordon will miss a couple of weeks. Of course, Austin Ekeler (owned in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues) will benefit the most and becomes a weekly fantasy starter for as long as MG3 is sidelined. Given the 1-2 approach the Chargers have utilized with Gordon and Ekeler, Jackson could potentially return flex value during MG3's absence.
7. Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams (8 percent)
The Rams could clinch the division in Week 13 with a win (or Seahawks loss) and only the Bears (8-3) pose a threat to the Rams/Saints clinching first-round byes. The Bears and Rams face off in Week 15 and depending on how the next three weeks go, it's possible that the team rests Gurley in Week 17 (or even Week 16). If Gurley sits or misses any time, Brown would become a viable RB2.
- More Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Advice Heading Into Week 13
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