Entering Week 16, let’s take a look at the top running backs to target on the waiver wire in your fantasy football league. All players listed below are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and/or Sleeper leagues.
Note that I have eliminated FAAB recommendations this year, as there are too many variables to account for. Instead, I replaced them with my opinion on how aggressive fantasy managers should be in pursuing the player on a scale of 1-10.
Looking for other players? Check out our Week 16 Waiver Wire article, which covers a plethora of players from all positions.
Tyjae Spears | TEN
Rostered: 44%
Seemingly out of nowhere, Tyjae Spears popped off for his best fantasy performance ever. With four carries for five yards, it’s pretty astonishing that Spears was the overall RB1 after the 1 p.m. games.
YOU RAISE ME UP @tyjae22
📺: Watch #CINvsTEN on @NFLonFOX stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/g71UCZv4gr
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 15, 2024
Spears did all of his work through the air, catching six of seven targets for 87 yards and a touchdown. He also scored one on the ground.
Tony Pollard came into Sunday’s game banged up. If he’s more hurt than we realized, Spears could end up being startable. Monitor the news and consider adding Spears if we don’t get anything positive about Pollard.
Aggressiveness Rating: Add if you have a roster spot to burn
Jerome Ford | CLE
Rostered: 42%
Nick Chubb broke his foot in this game. He is done for the season. That puts Jerome Ford back in the RB1 role.
Ford carried the ball seven times for 81 yards while catching two passes for 20 yards. He will be the starter for the remainder of the season.
The Browns get the Bengals next week. Ford is the No. 1 addition.
Aggressiveness Rating: All in
Kendre Miller | NO
Rostered: 11%
Alvin Kamara tweaked his groin in the New Orleans Saints’ narrow loss to the Washington Commanders. It’s currently unclear whether the injury is significant. Regardless, with the Saints’ season over, there’s no reason for the team to force him back at less than 100%. We could get at least one week of Miller in a starting role. The mere potential for that is worth adding.
Aggressiveness Rating: All in if you miss out on Jerome Ford/he’s not available
Sincere McCormick | LV
Rostered: 43%
I have to assume the only reason Sincere McCormick isn’t more heavily rostered is that half of all teams aren’t playing anymore, and the ones in the playoffs likely don’t need him. But we’re still talking about a starting running back who has proven effective playing on a team that wants to run the ball.
Alexander Mattison’s return is of no concern. This is McCormick’s backfield. We will have to see how he performs on Monday night, but I’m confident he will be worth adding.
Aggressiveness Rating: 7.0
Tyler Allgeier | ATL
Rostered: 32%
You are probably reading this before Monday Night Football. Pick up Tyler Allgeier. He’s the clear handcuff to Bijan Robinson. You never know what might happen. You could stumble into a startable RB2 for Week 16
Aggressiveness Rating: Stash if you can
Jalen Coker | CAR
Rostered: 2%
Making his return after a three-game absence due to injury, Jalen Coker caught four passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Now, to be fair, 83 of those yards and the score came on one play, as Bryce Young regressed considerably in this game.
BRYCE YOUNG TO JALEN COKER. 83-YARD TD.
📺: #DALvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9DdQnhGIEP— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
Coker has shown a big-play upside, but he’s not exactly someone you’re going to be looking to start in Week 16. I would leave him on waivers.
Aggressiveness Rating: 1.0