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 rostered 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 to consider heading into Week 7 (Yahoo! % rostered in parenthesis):
[Note: Players listed below are sorted by our preference to add.]
D'Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns (2%)
Demetric Felton, Cleveland Browns (9%)
Not only was Nick Chubb (calf) already out in Week 6, but Kareem Hunt left Week 6 with an injury of his own that puts his status for Week 7 in doubt, especially as the Browns face a short turnaround. If neither Chubb nor Hunt are available for Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos, both Johnson and Demetric Felton (RB/WR) will assume larger roles.
I expect Johnson to get the larger share of the carries and overall workload, but Felton should be more involved as a receiver. Given that fantasy managers will have to deal with six teams on bye and a number of high-profile running backs (Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Chubb, etc.) dealing with injuries, both Johnson and Felton could be viable streamer options in Week 7 despite a challenging matchup against the Broncos.
Denver has allowed 3.75 YPC (ninth-lowest) to opposing RBs and only a league-low 48.48% catch rate to the position as well.
#Browns RB Kareem Hunt is expected to miss several weeks with his calf injury, source said. He’ll likely head to Injured Reserve.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2021
Devonta Freeman, Baltimore Ravens (2%)
Including quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens had four players with 8-9 carries including Freeman. That said, Freeman did lead the team with 53 rushing yards and a touchdown on his nine carries. Latavius Murray (9/44/1, 4.9 YPC) was more efficient than he had otherwise been this season. On the season, Murray is still averaging a career-low 3.59 YPC.
With Ty'Son Williams a healthy scratch again, Freeman seems to be the back most likely to assume the largest workload if a back is to overtake Murray at a future point this season. Of course, Freeman isn't a viable streamer yet, but he's at least worth adding as an end-of-your-bench stash in the event he eventually emerges as the lead back in one of the league's most run-heavy offenses.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team (42%)
With Antonio Gibson continuing to deal with his shin injury, McKissic had eight carries for 45 yards and caught eight-of-10 targets for another 65 yards on Sunday. McKissic currently ranks top eight in both receptions (21) and targets (28) at the position.
Facing the 5-1 Packers in Week 7, WFT are double-digit underdogs. With the potential of a negative game script and Gibson continuing to deal with his shin injury, it could lead to another healthy dose of targets for McKissic this weekend.
More Fantasy Football Waiver Wire:
- Fantasy Football QB Waiver Wire
- Fantasy Football RB Waiver Wire
- Fantasy Football WR Waiver Wire
- Fantasy Football TE Waiver Wire
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