The fourth 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 5 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.
Running Backs To Target Off the Waiver Wire in Week 5
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.
Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas Cowboys (48%)
The Cowboys appear to have realized Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t have it anymore. In Week 4, Rico Dowdle led the backfield with 11 carries for 46 yards and a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Cowboys strike first! Dowdle takes the screen for a touchdown pic.twitter.com/uejfasHyk3
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 27, 2024
The volume isn’t necessarily going to be there for Dowdle, but he does appear to be the RB1 in Dallas. It won’t be pretty when he doesn’t score, but this offense provides him with enough touchdown upside to make him at least worth rostering.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.5
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (11%)
I am surprised Tank Bigsby is so low-rostered. He’s one of the best handcuffs in the league and has legitimately looked good this year.
Bigsby carried the ball seven times for 90 yards against the Houston Texans. He didn’t see a single target, but he would have some role in the passing game if Travis Etienne Jr. were to miss any time. That almost happened this week, as Etienne missed part of the first quarter with a shoulder injury. It’s a reminder of how close Bigsby is to being a weekly RB2.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.5
Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (35%)
It wasn’t an exciting debut for Kareem Hunt, but it was an impactful one from a fantasy perspective. No, this wasn’t a situation where you should’ve started Hunt. Heading into this game, we had no idea what his role would be. Now, we do.
Hunt is going to be the Chiefs’ lead back. Carson Steele started, but he fumbled again and then barely played. Samaje Perine is the main passing-down back, but he’s not going to see many carries. He did get a goal-line carry and scored a short touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, but that’s not enough of a reason to completely fade Hunt.
Hunt looked pretty good for a guy signed off the street. He carried the ball 14 times for 69 yards while also earning three targets, catching two for 16 yards. Hunt led the backfield in snaps. He is only going to get more into game shape. It won’t be like 2017, but Hunt needs to be rostered.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0
Trey Sermon, RB, Indianapolis Colts (1%)
This one is short but certainly not sweet. Jonathan Taylor hurt his ankle late in the Colts’ win over the Steelers. At this point, we don’t know how serious the injury is.
Trey Sermon is the primary backup and would likely start if Taylor had to miss any time. Taylor has had ankle issues in the past.
It won’t be exciting, but with bye weeks coming up, Sermon could be a passable RB3, if needed. Monitor Taylor news and add Sermon if you desperately need RB help.
Aggressiveness Rating: 2.0