Week 4 RB Waiver Pickups & Adds: Running Back Fantasy FAAB Bids

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Week 3 has thrown a lot of proud owners of Saquon Barkley on fantasy for a loop. Due to a high ankle sprain, he will be out for 4-6 weeks, and many dismayed owners are going to be looking for a backup to fill his spot while he gets better. Here are a couple of the top waiver picks for the RB position going into week 4. 

Running Backs

Adrian Peterson

Opponent: Giants
Adrian Peterson is the highest-owned player on this list. He was a no-go for a lot of people when the Redskins said they would be starting Guice over Peterson, but now that Guice is injured Peterson gets his chance to make an impact on the field. The Redskins are hoping to improve their running game, and Adrian Peterson, the seasoned veteran, is who they will best do that through. Their matchup against the New York Giants will be a great place for the Redskins to test out any new running strategy they may be coming up with, as the New York Giants have been lacking on defense this season.

Malcolm Brown

Opponent: Buccaneers
Coming in at just under 50% ownership, Malcolm Brown is a good pickup if you’re looking for a new RB to add to your roster. The Rams have started running two backs pretty consistently after Gurley’s injury limited his performance, and Malcom Brown is that number 2 this season. He had 2 touchdowns in week 1, and has been so far getting pretty consistent numbers this season, except for their game against Cleveland where the entire team was limited in the run game.

Justin Jackson

Opponent: Dolphins
Austin Ekeler is obviously the main running back for the Chargers, and will continue to be their starter for the rest of the season, unless there is any injury. However, the Chargers are going up against the Miami Dolphins this week. The Chargers will have an opportunity to play a two running back game. Regardless, Jackson will probably be getting the ball a lot more this week and will most likely be succeeding in the Chargers play design versus the Miami Dolphins’ failing defense.

Wayne Gallman

Opponent: Redskins
Unfortunately, Saquon Barkley suffered a high ankle sprain in their game against the Buccaneers and will be out for 4-6 weeks. Gallman Jr. will be stepping up as the starting running back. The Giants are a running team, and the play design has been successful for Saquon. How much of that is solely because of his individual talent, and how much is due to good coaching and play design is yet to be seen. Gallman has big shoes to fill but he has a great opportunity to be successful, and will be getting a lot of carries against the Redskins.

Darrell Williams

Opponent: Lions
LeSean McCoy started for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, but has potentially injured his ankle. With Damien Williams still questionable, Darrell Williams has a chance to be starting for Kansas City in their next game. Kansas City is a powerhouse offense this year, no question about it. Andy Reid’s aggressive play calling style allows for Williams to get a lot of carries in their upcoming game against the Lions. The Chiefs can run the ball, and Williams has the potential to do big things against the Lions if the Chiefs’ offense can get things going against the Lions’ defense.

Rex Burkhead

Opponent: Bills
The Patriots have been a force to be reckoned with this year. Not only that, but they have a relatively favorable schedule going into the next month of the season, playing against the Bills, the Redskins, the Giants, then the Jets in the next four weeks. The Redskins and Giants especially are in the lower end rankings for run defense, the Redskins being third to last in the league in front of the Bengals and the Dolphins. Rex Burkhead is a definite pickup coming into this week if you haven’t already picked him up. Both in catching and in running Burkhead has proved himself to be both capable and consistent, and would be a great addition to any team especially considering the favorable matchups that the Patriots are heading into.

Ronald Jones II

Opponent: Rams
Petyon Barber has been the starting back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers so far this season. Unfortunately, Barber had a very underwhelming performance in week 3, and hasn’t been performing incredibly well during the season as a whole. Ronald Jones may therefore be getting a start soon, and if he performed well, he might win the job as the starter. Over the first two games in the season Jones II has gotten 10 or more carries in two of those three games, and managed to average over five plus yards per carry. If Barber continues to perform as he did in week 3, Jones may be getting the starting job and has potential to really make an impact in the game.

CJ Prosise

Opponent: Cardinals
Rashaad Penny was taken out of the game on Sunday by a hamstring injury. After that, Prosise came in and caught 5 passes for 38 yards and nine overall touches against the Saints. Depending on the severity of Rashaad Penny’s injury, Prosise could be taking up some of the slack left behind by his departure for weeks to come. If he continues to perform how he did against the Saints, one of the better defenses in the league, then he could potentially be a great waiver pickup for the next couple weeks, getting you a consistent flow of points.

Frank Gore

Opponent: Patriots
Devin Singletary came out of the Bills’ game against the Bengals on Sunday with a hamstring injury. Frank Gore came in and carried 14 times for 76 yards and a touchdown. Gore would be a great pickup, especially if Singletary is out for multiple weeks. The Bills are going up against the Patriots, a tough team to rush against, but he will perform throughout the season and especially if Singletary is out, and you might want to pick him up before it is too late.