Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Running Backs (Week 2)

Check out our top waiver wire targets for Week 2 of the 2022 fantasy football season.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets

Khalil Herbert (CHI): 41% rostered

• Next opponents: @GB, HOU, @NYG
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $10
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: It should come as no surprise that Herbert cracked double-digit fantasy points in Week 1 against the 49ers. More impressively, he put up those 11.3 points on only nine carries and was out-snapped and out-touched by starter David Montgomery. Chicago looked to Herbert instead of Montgomery to close out San Francisco in their comeback win in the soggy deluge at Soldier Field. Look for the more efficient second-year pro from Virginia Tech to earn a more even share of the backfield as the season progresses.

Dontrell Hilliard (TEN): 6% rostered

• Next opponents: @BUF, LV, @IND
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $8
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Absolutely no one could have foretold Hilliard more than doubling Derrick Henry‘s Week 1 fantasy production, but here we are. Where Henry was the obvious bell cow in the rushing department, the young Hilliard hauled in three receptions for 61 yards and two pivotal touchdowns versus the Giants. Don’t go crazy and chase points with a frivolous FAAB bid, but the receiving volume in this Titans offense has to be funneled somewhere other than to an uninspiring WR corps.

Jaylen Warren (PIT): 4% rostered

• Next opponents: NE, @CLE, NYJ
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $20
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Early reports fear that Najee Harris is dealing with a high-ankle sprain that will sideline him for numerous weeks. It could also hamper the lead back’s performance upon his return and has a very high aggravation rate. Warren absolutely earned the RB2 spot in Steelers camp this summer and will be called upon to fill in. There weren’t many more glaring handcuff RBs to roster this season. If for some reason you rostered Harris without Warren, you might need to spend a decent amount of FAAB to save face at the position going forward.

Rex Burkhead (HOU): 13% rostered

• Next opponents: @DEN, @CHI, LAC
• True Value: $5
• Desperate need: $10
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: It was a stern reminder to everyone that a head coach naming a starting RB means absolutely nothing. Lovie Smith anointed the promising rookie Dameon Pierce as his “lead” back, and then the preponderance of backfield snaps and opportunities for the Texans in Week 1 went to the perennially irrelevant Burkhead. Rex was his boring self, turning 19 touches into a ho-hum 12.0 fantasy points. Eight of those points came through the air for Burkhead, revealing Houston’s obvious preference for the vet in important situations. Rexy isn’t sexy, but he is a lot less annoying as a spot flex starter locked in for double-digit PPR points with how often the Texans are in negative game scripts.

Kenneth Gainwell (PHI): 48% rostered

• Next Opponents: MIN, @WAS, JAX
• True value: $7
• Desperate need: $12
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: It was nice to see Miles Sanders reacquaint himself with the end zone on Sunday, but he was not alone. The Philly offense was really clicking in Detroit, with Jalen Hurts and each of the three RBs scoring one rushing TD. Again, I will always have a strong lean toward the RB who is most involved in the passing game. Gainwell was targeted four times in Week 1, compared to two targets for Sanders and none for Boston Scott. The second-year back from Memphis is also earning a reputation for having a nose for the end zone with his seventh score despite limited work in his 17 career games.

Jeff Wilson (SF): 16% rostered

• Next opponents: SEA, @DEN, LAR
• True value: $8
• Desperate need: $16
• Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: There is one very shiny silver lining for Jeff Wilson going forward this season: Kyle Shanahan really likes him. It might surprise you that Wilson scored 10 touchdowns in 2020 and was a strong RB3 in fantasy. He is a very capable receiver and is trusted with high-leverage situations in the offense. When Elijah Mitchell went down with a knee injury on Sunday, Wilson struggled to get going on flooded Soldier Field, with only 5.0 fantasy points. This isn’t overly concerning, since Shanahan and the 49ers typically give their top back a heavy share of the snaps until they ultimately break down and leave their musket to the next man up. Wilson will be fantasy-viable in the run-heavy Niners scheme as long as Mitchell is sidelined.

Stash candidates: Tyrion Davis-Price, Jordan Mason, Brian Robinson, Zamir White, Isiah Pacheco, Zack Moss, Jerome Ford, Samaje Perine

Elijah Mitchell‘s knee injury does nothing to clarify the 49ers’ backfield. He was the only sure thing as the lead back. Wilson took over in rainy Chicago but was very inefficient, so Tyrion Davis-Price or Jordan Mason could become factors. … We received encouraging news that Brian Robinson is recovering well from his gunshot wounds and could be available as early as Week 5. Even though Antonio Gibson enjoyed a very successful Week 1 performance, I doubt the Commanders want him to bear such a heavy workload in the long-term. Stashing the ‘Bama rookie is still a very strong play as the season unfolds. … D’Ernest Johnson was a healthy scratch on Sunday for the Browns, who instead suited up rookie Jerome Ford. The healthy tandem backfield of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt doesn’t leave any meat on the bone for Ford, who did not see a Week 1 snap. The young Cincinnati Bearcat is still in pole position to fill in if either of the co-starters miss time.