Week 8 RB Waiver Pickups & Adds: Are The Baltimore Backup Running Backs In Play?

Week 7 could have been a disastrous week for running backs, but it sounds like Chris Carson and Kenyan Drake have dodged major injuries. However, they will likely miss some time. We also need to keep an eye on Mark Ingram, Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon, Aaron Jones, Phillip Lindsay, Devonta Freeman, Miles Sanders, and Raheem Mostert. Some of these names could be coming back or could be out over the next few weeks. We also have the Cardinals, Washington, Jaguars, and Texans on bye this week, so that we will lose a few fantasy-relevant backs. There are a few names to prioritize and are available in 40-50% of leagues that will be short-term fill-in options, and we have some stash options to hold onto.

Week 8 RB Waiver Wire Pickups

Chase Edmonds – Arizona Cardinals

While the x-rays were negative for Kenyan Drake he is still expected to miss some time. Edmonds had 145 yards against Seattle and has been producing all season long when given the chance. Drake has struggled to break out this season despite a full workload, outside of the Dallas game of course. Edmonds has two 20+ fantasy point games and four double-digit fantasy performances. He has been productive as a top 30 fantasy RB this season in a limited role and if things open up where he gets a featured role, he can be a league-winner. The Drake news will dictate FAAB money but either way, he should be added everywhere.

Boston Scott – Philadelphia Eagles

The Miles Sanders injury wasn’t serious but it kept him out last game and will keep him out against the Cowboys. Philadelphia has a bye week coming up after which means Sanders stands a good chance to return after. Scott is a strong fill-in option again this week, as the Cowboys just coughed up 100+ yards and a score to Antonio Gibson. The Cowboys have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. For FAAB money it should be a lower bid this week given it is now a one-week rental.

Jamaal Williams – Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones was kept out this past week with a calf injury. Green Bay has rested and played it safe with injuries this season. Jamaal Williams would be another starting back this week if Jones can’t get healthy. He was close to playing this week but the calf injury flared up. Teams have been more cautious with calf injuries given the Achilles injuries that have come after. It is a good matchup for Williams in Week 8 if Jones can’t give it a go. Even if they temper touches, Williams on 10-12 touches still is worth a role. Williams is a talented back and also has strong receiving work.

Giovani Bernard – Cincinnati Bengals

Another starting back missed out this week and Joe Mixon is considered week-to-week with a chance at missing the Titans game. While Giovani Bernard still has to run behind this dreadful offensive line, he has quite a role in a high volume passing attack and is going to be a strong PPR play. Bernard had a 5-59-1 receiving line against the Browns and struggled on the ground as you would expect. However, he saw a full dose of touches. Tennessee‘s defense has struggled this season and has allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing running backs. Given this is another week fill-in option you shouldn’t go crazy with the FAAB money. However, if Mixon’s injury lingers then Bernard can have more value.

Zack Moss – Buffalo Bills

The Bills offense wasn’t in sync this past week against the Jets, but Zack Moss brought some positives, as he had ten touches for over 70 yards. Moss was the one that dampened the Devin Singletary party and was going to cut into the workload before the injury. Moss still stands a good chance to get 10-12 touches each week which is viable if you are in need of filling in or a bye week or injured player. I wouldn’t spend a ton of money on Moss in FAAB leagues just due to the split workload. He would need an injury to Singletary to have big value.

J.K. Dobbins – Baltimore Ravens

J.K. Dobbins is the higher-owned of the two backup running backs in Baltimore, although this Ravens offense hasn’t been exactly a fantasy-friendly one in the backfield. However, Mark Ingram having an ankle sprain could open the door to more touches for both Dobbins and Edwards. Ingram has averaged 8.8 touches per game and has seen the most at 53. Dobbins has seen 36 and has averaged six. Now last week was telling as Dobbins is still second to Edwards, with 36 touches on the season compared to Edwards’ 48. Dobbins has seen the most snaps out of the three. The Ravens backfield deserves to have a bench spot, Dobbins included.

Gus Edwards – Baltimore Ravens

Gus Edwards has never had a full role but when he is on the field he is extremely productive. In his career he has rushed for 318 attempts, rushing for 1,647 yards and five touchdowns. That is over five yards a carry. As mentioned above he has seen the second most touches behind Ingram and he has shown a bit more reliability to his staff ahead of Dobbins. While the Ravens certainly value Dobbins as a rookie back moving forward, they won’t hand him the keys. It won’t be a perfect situation for Edwards and Dobbins but in a high-volume rushing attack, both would have value if Ingram misses any time.

Carlos Hyde – Seattle Seahawks

Chris Carson has defied injury odds in his career. He had the offseason hip surgery and then a brutal twist of the knee against the Cowboys and has still plowed right through. He suffered a mid-foot sprain against Arizona which led to Carlos Hyde seeing a bulk of the workload in the second half. Hyde had been absent from the active roster in a few games but returned. Hyde has been averaging four yards a carry and Hyde could see a start against his former team next week facing the 49ers. I wouldn’t expect Carson to miss too much time.