Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets & FAAB Pickups: Running Backs (Week 16)

Check out our top waiver wire targets for Week 16 of the 2022 fantasy football season. And check out our complete Week 16 fantasy football waiver wire advice.

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Fantasy Football Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups: Running Backs

Tyler Allgeier (ATL): 37% rostered

• Next opponents: @BAL, ARI, TB
• True value: $12
• Desperate need: $18
• Budget-minded: $6

Analysis: It was a banner day for the rookie from BYU on Sunday. Tyler Allgeier toted three more carries than assumed starter Cordarrelle Patterson and surpassed 100 rushing yards for the first time in his career. Allgeier turned what appeared to be a tough matchup with the Saints into 139 yards and a touchdown on the ground for a 20-point performance. The upcoming schedule isn’t overly exciting for a committee back, but Atlanta’s steadfast obsession with the ground game gives little reason for this bruising rookie to sit on the wire.

Khalil Herbert (CHI): 39% rostered

• Next opponents: BUF, @DET, MIN
• True value: $11
• Desperate need: $16
• Budget-minded: $5

Analysis: The second-year pro from Virginia Tech has been sidelined with a hip injury for the last four weeks, but fantasy managers are anxiously awaiting his activation from the IR for Week 16. When sharing the Chicago backfield, Khalil Herbert has shown more explosiveness and per-touch efficiency than starter David Montgomery. Word of his status this week might not break until after waivers run on Tuesday night, which could lend us an acquisition discount. This is a good thing, since he could be limited in his first game back versus Buffalo. My eyes are set to start Herbert as a flex in the championship round versus Detroit.

Deon Jackson (IND): 7% rostered

• Next opponents: LAC, @NYG, HOU
• True value: $9
• Desperate need: $13
• Budget-minded: $4

Analysis: Although there weren’t many playoff teams hanging in the balance with the disappointing Jonathan Taylor on their rosters, there certainly weren’t zero. One would hope that the clear division of labor exhibited by Indianapolis the first time Taylor went down would compel his managers to cuff him with Deon Jackson. If not, and JT’s ankle is a no-go this week, some FAAB inflation might take hold on Jackson and the emergent Zack Moss. Proceed with caution, as Moss out-touched Jackson by a 2-to-1 ratio on Sunday.

Gus Edwards (BAL): 44% rostered

• Next opponents: ATL, PIT, @CIN
• True value: $7
• Desperate need: $13
• Budget-minded: $3

Analysis: The Ravens are in heaps of trouble offensively without Lamar Jackson. They could not sustain drives well enough against the Browns’ defense to give their top two RBs more than 20 combined carries in Saturday’s 13-3 loss. Furthermore, John Harbaugh definitely did not envision Tyler Huntley needing to attempt 30 passes. Enter the Falcons in the slump-busting role, possibly with the return of Jackson. Either way, Atlanta allowed 134 rushing yards to the Saints in Week 15. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are in line for a more similar split as in their win over the Steelers, where they combined for 28 carries and 186 yards on the ground. Edwards and the Ravens get the Steelers again in Week 16 for the fantasy championship round.

Zack Moss (IND): 2% rostered

• Next opponents: LAC, @NYG, HOU
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: This backfield is an utter mess without Jonathan Taylor. Deon Jackson won us some matchups earlier in the season when JT missed time. Now that the Colts have acquired Zack Moss, they seem to favor the burlier option from Utah by way of Northern California. Could that just have been an injury-compelled role filler for just the rest of Sunday’s game? I wouldn’t bet on that. Moss carried the ball 24 times in Week 15 for a blunt force trauma-inducing 81 yards. Jeff Saturday has more than branded the Colts as a trench warfare type of team whose decisions are rooted in ra-ra and the power of his gut. Gulp.

Marlon Mack (DEN): 5% rostered

• Next opponents: @LAR, @KC, LAC
• True value: $6
• Desperate need: $11
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Marlon Mack is a fan favorite. The former Colt has bounced all over the league this season on various practice squads, finally landing a gig for the injury-riddled Broncos behind fellow journeyman Latavius Murray. Mack has been a pleasant surprise, with touchdowns in each of the last two games. He has filled the pass-catching role in the Denver backfield adequately for flex consideration in PPR leagues. He scored on that amazing screen versus the Chiefs in Week 14 and brought in four receptions against the Cardinals on Sunday. As far as waiver options at RB go, he is an affordable asset who will be easily overlooked by league mates in the heat of the fantasy playoffs.