Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Running Backs (Week 3)

Check out our top waiver wire targets for Week 2 of the 2022 fantasy football season. Check out the running backs you should consider bidding on for this week.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Running Backs

Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA): 43% rostered

• Next opponents: BUF, @CIN, @NYJ
• True value: $9
• Desperate need: $14
• Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: Was anyone right about this backfield in Week 2? I seriously doubt it. Mostert was the lead back for the Dolphins in Week 2, with 51 yards on 11 carries and 28 yards receiving on three grabs. Week 1 “starter” Chase Edmonds was second fiddle all day, only finally earning some snaps as Miami’s offense came roaring back for their dramatic comeback win. Mostert does have more familiarity with the McDaniel offense as a derivative from their time together in San Francisco with Kyle Shanahan. It remains to be seen if this was a one-off and whether this backfield will be a thoroughly frustrating revolving door of a committee. Since Mostert looked good with the work given, I am leaning toward this as a sign of continuing preference of Mostert as the RB to covet as the more consistent option.

Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PHI): 45% rostered

• Next opponents: @WAS, JAX, @ARI
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $10
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: Many fantasy experts preach “talent over situation.” I have long believed that Kenneth Gainwell is the most talented RB on the Eagles. He is the superior receiver and open-field ballcarrier compared to Miles Sanders and Boston Scott. The frustration is with usage. All three of them scored touchdowns in Week 1. Most of the 39 rushing attempts went to Jalen Hurts and Sanders, while Gainwell tied for a distant second in targets behind A.J. Brown. I will be keeping close tabs on the division of labor during the Eagles’ Monday night clash with the Vikings, but there is plenty of evidence to support the idea that Gainwell’s role in the offense is very stable.

Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI): 48% rostered

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

Analysis: Even with a strong game for David Montgomery on Sunday night, Herbert is a very valuable player to keep rostered for spot starts and especially in the event of an injury to Monty. Few handcuff options have standalone value independent of injury, but Herbert is just that. It certainly appears that Luke Getsy is “riding the hot hand” at RB this season, as long as his backfield is healthy. This means there will be Monty weeks and Herbert weeks alike. The Texans and Giants are on the upcoming schedule, which lends optimism that the Chicago offensive line will continue to run-block well and produce in spite of an anemic passing game.

Rachaad White (RB – TB): 34% rostered

• Next opponents: GB, KC, ATL
• True value: $5
• Desperate need: $10
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: The first two weeks of the NFL season have been absolutely belligerent. Most of our preseason assumptions have been wadded up and tossed in the fire. One of those dreams that has not yet materialized, nor been dashed, is a key role for the exciting rookie from Arizona State. White cleaned up with eight Week 1 touches vs. Dallas but was an afterthought in the Week 2 snooze fest in New Orleans. The fact of the matter is the Bucs are using Leonard Fournette at an unsustainable rate, and White is already the clear No. 2 behind him. White is an excellent receiver and pass protector, both of which should curry favor with the ancient warlock Tom Brady as the season progresses. Get him while he’s still cheap.

Darrel Williams (RB – ARI): 48=% rostered

• Next opponents: LAR, @CAR, PHI
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: An injury to James Conner might have been a foregone conclusion, which lent to the question of which Cardinals RB to roster as a handcuff. Conner is dealing with an ankle injury and is questionable for Week 3 and beyond. In his absence, the veteran Williams scored 14 fantasy points on a couple of chunk plays in Arizona’s comeback win over Las Vegas. Eno Benjamin is also worth waiver stash consideration, but Williams was in on goal line plays and in the receiving game in Week 2 as Conner’s direct substitute. Don’t sell the farm for either guy, but having a direct plug-in if Conner is out can offer good replacement value in this pass-heavy offense that is constantly playing catch-up thanks to an atrocious defense.

Zack Moss (RB – BUF): 15% rostered

• Next opponents: @MIA, @BAL, PIT
• True value: $4
• Desperate need: $7
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The former Utah Ute standout immediately flipped the script on a preseason filled with uncertainty with his surprising Week 1 workload and performance. This will be published before the Bills take the field on Monday night, but there is already reason to believe that Moss is not rostered in enough leagues. Most managers assumed that the rookie James Cook would be a lock to wedge Moss out of the picture in this committee, but Cook’s early fumble paved the way for Moss to earn 12 touches. Six of those were in the passing game, which was interesting in that Buffalo used Moss in neutral and positive game scripts. It was clear that Moss is a different player than the one who struggled last season. The question will be which, if any, of these RBs in Buffalo will be trustworthy for fantasy purposes.

Stash candidates: James Cook, Tyrion Davis-Price, Brian Robinson, Zamir White, Isiah Pacheco, Samaje Perine, Jaylen Warren, Tyler Allgeier, Jerick McKinnon

Jeff Wilson‘s rostership predictably took off like a rocket ahead of Week 2. Elijah Mitchell is expected to miss up to two months with his knee injury and Wilson gained over 100 scrimmage yards versus Seattle. LSU rookie Tyrion Davis-Price was activated and toted the ball 14 times for a paltry 33 yards but is now out multiple weeks with an injury of his own. Jordan Mason was once again active but did not receive a touch. As short of a shelf life as 49ers RBs tend to have, stashing Mason and soon-to-be elevated Marlon Mack (currently dwelling on the practice squad) is wise in deeper leagues.

Brian Robinson is already performing agility drills and is set to rejoin the Commanders in Week 5. Antonio Gibson is the lead back, but the Alabama rookie provides some thump for short yardage and possibly goal line work.

Zamir White was another rookie who was elevated to active status after an inactive Week 1 but only earned one rushing attempt. To this point, Josh Jacobs has shouldered a massive share of the backfield. White is a stash if Jacobs can’t stay healthy, or if his hideous efficiency continues and Josh McDaniels loosens the reins on his exciting young back.

Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon have each appeared in the Chiefs’ committee, with McKinnon actually producing some meaningful fantasy points. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has done the most with his piece of the pie, but that is certainly subject to change.

Jaylen Warren and Tyler Allgeier are low-ceiling handcuffs who don’t inspire much at all, even if they are thrust into prominent roles in their respective unimaginative offenses with poor QB and OL play.

James Cook is destined to shine after his disastrous NFL debut. As much of a shot as Zack Moss might garner early this season, Cook obliterates him in the talent department. There won’t be too many weeks to toss the Georgia Bulldog on your bench for free before he starts to put his talents on the screen in a high-octane Buffalo attack.