Tank Bigsby, JAX
Bigsby’s snap share was the highest it’s been against the Titans since Week 9, and he handled 75% of the carries compared to just 17% for Travis Etienne. Etienne was the clear passing down back while Bigsby was the short down and distance runner, and he turned that role into the only touchdown of the game. We’ve seen Bigsby dominate the backfield before even on limited opportunity, so the fact that he’s back to this kind of workload makes him worth a look off the waiver wire.
Alexander Mattison, LV
Not an ideal pickup by any means, but he was inactive this past week after being limited all week in practice. Assuming he’s able to get right this week, he should have some kind of role in the Raiders backfield after leading it before going down in Week 11. Ameer Abdullah lost out to Sincere McCormick against the Buccaneers, but Mattison could be a significant obstacle to McCormick handling 65% of the team’s carries moving forward.
Tyler Allgeier, ATL
Bijan Robinson is unquestionably the guy in the Falcons backfield, but Allgeier remains one of the top handcuff options in the NFL and a threat to vulture a touchdown here and there. Matchups against the Raiders and Giants make him more attractive as a desperate play in a pinch, but his true value would only be unlocked if something would happen to Bijan.
Blake Corum, LAR
Another handcuff. His role has increased over the past four games from 6% snap share to 20% and 11% rush attempts share to 18%, but he’s not doing enough with that work to warrant any consideration in starting lineups. If anything would happen to Kyren, though, he clearly has the juice to be one of the top replacement RBs in the NFL.
Isaiah Davis, NYJ
Without Breece Hall in the lineup, Braelon Allen wasn’t the guy, pal. The dreams of Allen getting a Zach Charbonnet workload have been dashed by Isaiah Davis, and the two backs split carries almost down the middle at 55:45. Allen and Davis earned 14% and 16% target shares, respectively, but it was a touchdown run by Davis that gave him the edge in the box score. Davis doubled Braelon Allen’s short down and distance snaps and took a clear majority of long down and distance snaps, as well, making him an intriguing add with the Jets having one of the best schedules for running backs the rest of the way: Jacksonville, the Rams, and Buffalo round out the schedule for the fantasy season.
Kendre Miller, NO
Alvin Kamara is still the guy obviously, but Kendre Miller scored a touchdown in his first action since Week 8 and handled a respectable 31% of the rush attempts in the Saints backfield. Miller is viable as a waiver stash primarily as a handcuff to Kamara, but he could wind up with some standalone value with the way the Saints' weapons have been depleted due to injury.
Patrick Taylor Jr., SF
Since Guerendo has a foot sprain, it doesn’t seem like he should be in danger of missing too much time – but the short turnaround for Thursday’s game against the Rams is going to be hard to overcome. Enter Patrick Taylor, who handled mop-up duty against the Bears last week. He’s not going to be quite the start that Guerendo was – think high RB3 – but if Guerendo is out, the backfield will have to rely on the next man up. Izzy Abanikanda is also a name to watch off the waiver wire if the 49ers would decide to platoon their running backs as they get to four players deep this season.