Every week, we examine players that may be available on your league's waiver wire that could help your team in the short and/or long term.
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).
New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray doesn't make our list due to our self-imposed limit. Rostered in 60% of Yahoo! leagues, Murray had a monster 19/124/2 rushing performance in Sunday's blowout. While those performances are unlikely as long as Alvin Kamara is healthy, he has top-five upside if Kamara were to miss any time.
If he's available in your league, now's the ideal time to add an elite handcuff to your bench stash. Assuming one more run-heavy game plan for the Saints with Taysom Hill under center, Murray could be a low-end RB2 against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13.
With that said, here are some running back waiver-wire options to consider heading into Week 13 (Yahoo! % rostered in parenthesis):
[Note: Players listed below are sorted by our preference to add.]
1. Frank Gore, New York Jets (25%)
Against his former team (Miami Dolphins), Gore carried the ball 18 times for 74 scoreless yards (4.11 YPC) and added three catches for 21 yards on Sunday. Gore's 21 touches and 86 scrimmage yards either set or tied season highs and he's currently the RB19 on the week with one game to go.
With La'Mical Perine (high-ankle sprain, IR) out at least two more weeks, it's likely that Gore will get 15-20 uninspiring touches this week as well. Volume is king in fantasy football, so even if with pedestrian peripherals, approaching 20 touches keeps Gore fantasy-relevant.
2. Devontae Booker, Las Vegas Raiders (9%)
Josh Jacobs sprained his ankle in Week 12, but he has a "chance to play" in Week 13, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If he's inactive, Booker is a sure-fire RB2 with RB1 upside against the winless Jets.
Even if Jacobs is active, there's a chance that they turn to Booker more than they usually do in a game where there is blowout potential. The Raiders are currently eight-point road favorites.
3. Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams (29%)
Akers had nine carries for 84 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It's the third time in four games that Akers has at least nine carries. That's a start, but Akers has only three targets (and receptions) this season and it's been a three-headed approach with Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown.
While it may take an injury, I also believe that Akers' talent could allow him to emerge as the backfield's 1(a) even if all backs remain healthy. Until then, he's certainly worth a stash on your bench.
4. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (32%)
At this point, Dalvin Cook (ankle) isn't expected to miss any time. After their soft Week 13 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Vikings get three bottom-eight matchups -- Buccaneers, Bears and Saints.
As we head towards the fantasy playoffs, however, Mattison is a must-own for any Cook owners. But he's also worth a stash for other fantasy managers as Mattison would become a top-15 play if Cook were to miss any time down the stretch.
5. DeAndre Washington, Miami Dolphins (1%)
With Matt Breida and Patrick Laird both fumbling in Week 12, the Dolphins turned to Washington, who led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 49 yards and added two catches for 11 yards on five targets.
If neither Myles Gaskin nor Salvon Ahmed return this week, it's possible that Washington leads the backfield in usage again in Week 13. Double-digit favorites against the Cincinnati Bengals, positive game script should benefit whichever running back gets the largest workload.
+ More Fantasy Football Waiver-Wire Advice Heading Into Week 13
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