Week 8 RB Waiver Pickups & Adds: Running Back Fantasy

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Week 8 brings some repeats to this list, as well as a couple of new faces. For the most part, the running back pool is stretched pretty thin. However, injuries and poor play are always bringing new backs into the mix. Here’s some recommendations for running backs you can get off of waivers that might prove very productive.

Adrian Peterson

Peterson has been on and off of these lists, and today he’s back on. Peterson was getting limited carries for most of the season. The Redskins head coach Jay Gruden was fired after their loss against the Patriots. The Redskins then chose Bill Callahan, their offensive line coach, to be their interim head coach. Callahan has said that he would like to play a more run-heavy game, and this showed on Sunday against the 49ers. Peterson got 20 carries for 81 yards, an average of 4 yards per carry. As the Redskins are now going to be running the ball more, Peterson might be a good pickup off of waivers.

Jamaal Williams

In Week 6, Jamaal Williams had a huge game after Aaron Jones was taken out, getting 104 yards on 14 carries for an average of 7.4 yards per carry. In week 7, Jones was back and got the majority of the carries while Jamaal Williams only had 3, for 5 yards. In week 6, Williams proved himself to be a talented back, and would be a good backup for your roster. The Packers are playing the Chiefs, who have been a relatively easy team to run against, allowing the Texans 192 yards on the ground. If Williams is put in in week 8, he has the potential to have a big game. If he isn’t, he’s still a good back to have in your roster in case Aaron Jones is out again.

Chase Edmonds

Edmonds is another back who has been on this list before. On Sunday, he proved that he’s the real deal and worthy of a spot on your fantasy roster. He racked up 126 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries against the Giants. He also caught the ball twice, for 24 yards total. That’s 35 points in a PPR league. The Cardinals have been turning to the run a lot lately, and with David Johnson still limited by his ankle injury, Edmonds is going to be their starting back. Clearly, he’s proven he’s capable of putting up incredible performances, and therefore is worthy of your consideration for the rest of the season. He has a tough matchup against a Saints team that hasn’t allowed a 100 yard rusher in 29 games, but that shouldn’t stop you from picking him up. You’ll want him on your team before somebody else in your league grabs him.

Darrell Henderson

Henderson was pretty productive in week 6, getting 39 yards off of 6 carries for an average of 6.5 YPC against a very talented 49ers defensive line. His numbers weren’t quite as good, unfortunately, against the Falcons, where he took 11 carries for 31 yards (an average of 2.8 YPC). However, the Rams have another favorable matchup this week against the Bengals. If Malcolm Brown is still out due to an ankle injury, we’ll most likely be seeing Henderson a lot. Especially if this is going to be a blowout win, the Rams might not want to run Gurley as much as he still seems to be recovering from an injury, and therefore Henderson would see the ball even more. With the Bengals being ranked worst in the league for average yards per carry allowed (5.2) and average rushing yards allowed per game (189.0). This is a very favorable matchup for Henderson and therefore he might make a good addition to your roster.

Mark Walton

Mark Walton had 14 carries for 66 yards on Sunday against the Bills. He’s clearly becoming the favored back for the Dolphins. These are the best numbers a running back has gotten for the Dolphins this season, and therefore I’m expecting Miami to stick with Walton as their main back for the time being. Rumors of the Dolphins being willing to trade Kenyon Drake have been floating around, and if he is traded then Walton will most likely get even more touches.

Gus Edwards

Against the Seahawks, Edwards had 8 carries for 35 yards, an average of 4.4 yards per carry. He’s been getting around 6 carries pretty consistently since week 2. He’s part of a high powered, run-focused offense, and is therefore a good pickup for a backup running back. Plus, if Ingram is ever injured, Edwards is going to be stepping up in his place and will be getting big numbers in this powerful Ravens offense.

Ty Johnson

Kerryon Johnson, the starting running back for the Lions, left their game on Sunday after a knee injury and didn’t return. Ty Johnson then went on to get 10 carries and 4 touches, which is a combined high for the Lions this season. As long as Kerryon Johnson is out, it looks like Ty Johnson is going to get the majority of the carries. While he didn’t put up the greatest numbers, only taking those 10 carries for 29 yards, he has a very favorable matchup against the Giants on Sunday. The Giants allowed Chase Edmonds to run for 126 yards and score 3 touchdowns, and have been pretty easy to run against in general this season. Ty Johnson has the potiential to be productive for the Lions and therefore your fantasy team in the time while Kerryon Johnson is recovering from injury.