The third NFL Sunday of the fantasy football season is officially in the books. It’s now time to improve our rosters.
We recently broke down the top Week 4 waiver wire targets that fantasy managers should consider adding. But if you’re only interested in the top available running backs, we’ve got you covered.
As always, all players are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
I have done away with FAAB recommendations this year, as there are too many variables to account for. Instead, I replaced it with my opinion on how aggressive fantasy managers should be in pursuing the player on a scale of 1-10.
Top RBs To Target on the Waiver Wire
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets (36%)
I was shocked to see Braelon Allen rostered in so few leagues, especially given his two-touchdown in Week 2. Although he “only” scored 9.6 fantasy points in Week 3, it was actually even more encouraging.
Allen entered the game on the Jets’ second drive. Breece Hall is still the guy. But Allen is more than just a handcuff. He has stand-alone RB3 value, and that handcuff value is still important. Allen is currently the single most valuable handcuff in fantasy.
We are 100% sure he would be the lead back if Hall went down. And based on what we’ve seen so far, he should be able to approximate at least 75% of Hall’s production. With injuries wreaking havoc across the league and bye weeks imminent, Allen needs to be universally rostered.
Aggressiveness Rating: 7.0
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (35%)
Friends. People. This can’t be.
Bucky Irving needs to be rostered in every league.
.@BuckyIrving had the 🕹️ workin' pic.twitter.com/LcbIw04XpH
— NFL (@NFL)
Rachaad White continues to show no ability to do anything on the ground. Meanwhile, Irving had another impressive showing, with nine carries for 70 yards.
It is only a matter of time before Irving overtakes White as the lead rusher. If he can get so much as half the goal-line work, Irving could be a weekly RB3/Flex play with upside. He’s also one of the best handcuffs in the league.
Aggressiveness Rating: 7.0
Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears (2%)
I am not at all excited about Roschon Johnson. However, with Travis Homer injured, Johnson was active on Sunday. Playing in a three-man timeshare with D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert, Johnson was able to earn 12 touches, which he turned into 62 yards. Most notably, he saw five targets.
At the very least, if Swift were to go down, Johnson might be startable in deeper leagues. At best, he plays his way into more volume and has standalone RB3 value.
Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0
Cam Akers, RB, Houston Texans (46%)
It wasn’t pretty for the Houston Texans in a blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings. But Cam Akers was RB1.
Akers is obviously not Joe Mixon, and there’s certainly a chance Mixon is back next week. Given how the game went, I imagine the Texans might be willing to push him a little extra. If Mixon doesn’t return, though, Akers should operate as the lead back once again.
KEEP READING: PFN’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings
Akers didn’t do much with his 13 opportunities, carrying the ball nine times for a mere 21 yards and catching one pass for eight yards. But a home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars next week should provide a better game environment. Unless we get word Mixon is definitely on track to return, Akers is worth grabbing.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.5
