Entering Week 15, 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 positions? Check out our Week 15 Waiver Wire article, which covers a plethora of players from all positions.
Isaiah Davis | NYJ
Rostered: 11%
The New York Jets say they’re not going to shut down Breece Hall. I’m not sure I believe them.
With Hall out this week, Braelon Allen started, but he was far from a bell cow. Isaiah Davis mixed in plenty, touching the ball 13 times and amassing 67 yards and a touchdown.
.@z4days for SIX!!! 🙌#NYJvsMIA on CBS & @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/0QQuc3Jceh
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 8, 2024
Allen is still the presumptive goal-line back, but I saw Davis in the game plenty in the red zone. He’s now scored in two straight games.
With the Jets frequently in a negative game script, we could see more of Davis, who has actually played better than Allen this season. He’s worth an add as someone to roster for the remainder of the season.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0
Tank Bigsby | JAX
Rostered: 46%
After seemingly falling to clear backup once again, Tank Bigsby reemerged against the Tennessee Titans, leading the Jaguars with 18 carries compared to just four from Travis Etienne Jr.; Bigsby ran the ball 18 times for 55 yards and a touchdown.
The Jaguars’ remaining schedule features three teams that are no lock to force them into negative game script, which could keep Bigsby and the run game in play. He’s at least worth a speculative addition.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Kendre Miller | NO
Rostered: 10%
It was pure happenstance that Kendre Miller wound up scoring the first touchdown of the game for the New Orleans Saints. However, it was not random that he handled 10 carries, serving as the primary backup to Alvin Kamara.
Miller has struggled to stay on the field during his two years in the NFL. But when healthy, he’s been effective. He appears to be the Kamara handcuff. That doesn’t have nearly as much value this late in the season as it would have earlier, but he’s still worth rostering.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Sincere McCormick | LV
Rostered: 15%
Antonio Pierce is quickly developing a reputation for leaning on his lead back, whoever it may be. Last year, we saw him ride the Zamir White train hard for the final month of the season. This year, once White proved ineffective, the Las Vegas Raiders rolled heavy on Alexander Mattison.
After Mattison went down, Ameer Abdullah was the clear guy. Then, when Sincere McCormick looked good, Pierce decided he needed to shoulder the load, and he did.
McCormick ran the ball 15 times for 78 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By contrast, Abulldah touched the ball twice. This is not a timeshare, and even when Mattison returns, the Raiders have no allegiance to any of their backs. McCormick is playing well. I expect him to remain the lead running back until he stops playing well.
Aggressiveness Rating: 9.0
Jerome Ford | CLE
Rostered: 42%
Nick Chubb has really struggled in his return from a knee injury. He may never regain his pre-injury form. That’s led to a steady increase in work for backup Jerome Ford.
The Browns gave Ford 10 carries and four targets against the Steelers, which he turned into 47 yards. Obviously, that’s not great, but the usage is something we can work with. It’s enough to justify at least putting him on fantasy benches. If you have a bye next week, you can see if the tides continue to turn against Chubb and then make a decision on whether to start Ford in Week 16.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Sean Tucker | TB
Rostered: 2%
In a game where Bucky Irving didn’t play much, it’s certainly concerning that Sean Tucker handled just three carries. However, he did turn them into 47 yards.
Irving was playing through multiple injuries and was unable to finish the game. There’s a chance he ends up missing a game or two. That would put Rachaad White back in the RB1 role and elevate Tucker to the clear RB2.
We’ve seen Todd Bowles show a willingness to ride the hot hand. We’ve also seen White struggle mightily at times. Tucker would become a handcuff at worst and a startable RB3 at best.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Patrick Taylor Jr. | SF
Rostered: 3%
Someone needs to investigate the 2024 San Francisco 49ers. Elijah Mitchell. Christian McCaffrey. Jordan Mason. And now, Isaac Guerendo. At this point, it’s unclear how serious Guerendo’s injury is, but if he does have to miss time, the 49ers will be down to their RB5.
Patrick Taylor Jr. would be in line to start next week. Ke’Shawn Vaughn served as the RB2, but that may change to Israel Abanikanda next week. Given the rate the 49ers’ backs get hurt, both might be worth speculative adds as well.
With that said — Taylor is the priority pickup here. I am sorry to everyone who correctly shelled out all of their FAAB on Guerendo. As you can see from his 26.8-point performance, he was worth every penny. If he can’t go, it’s the same deal with Taylor.
Aggressiveness Rating: Full send
Tyler Allgeier | ATL
Rostered: 30%
Handcuffs for healthy starting running backs aren’t as important this late in the season because there is limited time for fantasy managers to benefit. But if you want to take a shot on rostering Tyler Allgeier, he would be a weekly RB2 if Bijan Robinson went down.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0