We will have you covered throughout the fantasy football season with our bevy of tools, including our Waiver Wire Assistant. Find the top available players and get detailed analysis on how potential fantasy football waiver wire adds will impact your team. Of course, our team of analysts will also have written advice each week. Check out some of our top fantasy football waiver wire running backs to target for the week below. And check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 5.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Running Back
Running Backs
Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson
Woody Marks (RB – HOU): 30% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, BYE, @SEA
- True Value: $35
- Desperate Need: $50
- Budget-Minded: $25
Analysis: Woody Marks may have just taken over the Houston backfield. With 17 carries for 69 yards and a score to go along with four receptions, 50 yards and another score, Marks had a heck of a fantasy performance against the Titans in Week 4. With Nick Chubb only managing 47 yards on 13 carries, it’s clear who the more efficient back was. Coming into the league, Marks was touted as potentially the best pass-catching back in this class. For the Titans to have given him 17 carries in a game they were winning the entire time is a sign of good things to come. It’s essential to note that the Texans’ offensive line didn’t become functional overnight; however, Houston’s run blocking was competent against the Titans in Week 4. Next week, Marks faces a Ravens defense allowing the most yards and fantasy points to the running back position. We listed Marks as a stash last week. Hopefully, you already have him rostered. If not, this might be a time to bid heavily for what could be a weekly starter moving forward.
Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN): 32% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, @LV, NE
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: After starting the year on injured reserve (IR) with an ankle injury, Tyjae Spears is eligible to return for Week 5. Considering the Titans were just shut out by the formerly winless Texans, they could really use an offensive spark. Spears could be that spark. Tony Pollard has dominated the Titans’ backfield this season with 94% of Tennessee’s running back touches. Head coach Brian Callahan discussed the Titans’ potential use of a committee backfield this offseason. This is likely still the plan, but it was hard to execute when Julius Chestnut was the running back behind Pollard. There is a chance that a committee on one of the worst teams in the league could be a mess for fantasy, but there is also a chance Spears could eventually take over the backfield. Even though he has dominated touches, Pollard has not been very effective with them. Spears is one of the few widely available backs who has a path to consistent fantasy production as the season goes on.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PIT): 23% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BYE, CLE, @CIN
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Every fantasy manager’s worst nightmare happened this weekend. Right before the early game in Dublin kicked off, Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was ruled out with a knee injury. This injury was not new, and he had been expected to play. In Warren’s absence, Kenneth Gainwell was Pittsburgh’s primary back in a tough matchup against the Vikings. Well, it was supposed to be tough. Gainwell popped off for 134 total yards and two scores. This week, the Steelers are heading into their bye, and it is expected that Warren will probably be healthy for Week 6. However, Gainwell has now proven he can carry the load if necessary. If Warren’s injury lingers, Gainwell could be in line for more work.
Kendre Miller (RB – NO): 5% Rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, NE, @CHI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: It seems like it’s been a long time since Kendre Miller was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. At the time, a lot of fantasy managers were intrigued by his overall skill set and early third-round draft capital. Since then, the Saints have changed coaches and offensive coordinators, leaving Miller behind. At least that’s what I thought. In Week 4, Miller had 11 carries for 65 yards and a score. Even though it was against an exploitable Bills run defense, it was interesting to see Miller get double-digit carries. Alvin Kamara still led the Saints’ backfield with 15 carries for 70 yards and four receptions for two yards. Miller’s increased touches may have been an outcome of this specific matchup rather than a sign of future usage. Either way, he is clearly the second back behind Kamara. With a fairly easy upcoming schedule, Miller might be worth rostering.
Ollie Gordon II (RB – MIA): 32% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CAR, LAC, CLE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: In Week 3, Ollie Gordon had an early goal-line touchdown against the Bills. Having a running back other than De’Von Achane handle short-yardage and goal-line situations is not unusual for the Dolphins. As highlighted by Raheem Mostert‘s 21-touchdown season in 2023, this offense can support two backs if it can get moving. Even with Jaylen Wright recently returning from injury, Gordon was allowed to be Miami’s No. 2 back and has seemingly taken over the role. The Dolphins played their best game of the season last week against the Bills. If they can keep up the momentum, Gordon’s role could be valuable for fantasy.
Running Back Stash Candidates
Blake Corum is starting to become a staple of the Rams’ offense. In Week 4, he had a career high in opportunities, with nine rushes and four targets. Kyren Williams is locked in as the team’s lead ball-carrier, but instead of Williams getting 90% of the work as he did in previous years, it’s more of a 65/35 split with Corum. We also saw Williams fumble against the Colts. Williams has had fumbling issues in the past, and additional fumbles could fast-track Corum to more touches.
Could Kyle Monangai be the Bears’ savior in the running game? D’Andre Swift has dominated the workload through four weeks despite lackluster production. Against the Raiders last week, Monangai had a few impressive rushes. Although he only had four carries for 18 yards, he picked up some physical yards. Rookies sometimes have a post-bye week surge, and with the Bears heading into their bye, Monangai may have more involvement the next time the Bears take the field.
Rachaad White has two paths to fantasy relevance. Throughout his NFL career, White has made his mark as a pass-catcher. Although that’s his specialty, we have also seen him carry the load as a rusher. The second path is if Bucky Irving misses time. Either way, with bye weeks starting up, White can be a Flex play in a pinch.
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