Hello! It’s time for the Week 16 Waiver Wire Watch for Running Backs!
The first week of the fantasy playoffs has wrapped up. If you’ve won, you might be feeling pretty good about your chances of taking the crown. But for some, it’s a fight to avoid the last-place finish. Either way, now’s the time to fortify your roster for the next playoff round.
Let’s look at a few running backs you might want to pick up from the waiver wire as we head into Week 16. As a note, we’re focusing on players who are rostered in 60% or less of the league. And remember, no teams are on bye this time of year, so everyone will be active.
Blake Colm, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (42.7%)
The Rams secured their playoff spot for the first time in NFL history with a thrilling 41-34 win over the Lions, and they’re definitely looking like contenders for the Super Bowl now. One interesting subplot is Colm’s recent emergence; during Sunday’s game, he had 11 carries for 71 yards and found the end zone once.
This second-year player from Michigan has scored in three consecutive games and has been consistently getting at least 10 carries while backing up Kyren Williams. As the Rams push for the playoffs, he’s likely to remain a vital component of their offense. So, why not consider adding him to your roster?
Week 16 matchups: @ Seattle Seahawks, 8:15pm ET (Thursday night)
Bill Klosky Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders (46.0%)
While we haven’t seen much of Crosskey Merritt lately, he stepped up big in Sunday’s 29-21 win over the Giants. The rookie racked up 18 carries, totaling 96 yards and scoring his first touchdown since finding the end zone twice against the Chargers back in Week 5.
BCM’s performance had dipped significantly in the latter part of the season. Before Sunday’s game, they had not surpassed 60 rushing yards since a loss to the Bears in Week 6. Maybe this showing against New York is a sign that he can regain his earlier productivity as the season wraps up. Keep him on your radar.
Week 16 matchups: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 5 p.m. ET (Saturday night)
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens (5.7%)
The Ravens achieved a 24-0 shutout against the Bengals on Sunday, putting an end to a two-game losing streak. Mitchell was a key player in that win, accumulating 66 rushing yards on just eight carries. He surprisingly had more snaps than Derrick Henry during this game.
Mitchell has now gained over 140 rushing yards across his last two outings and is solidifying his role in the Ravens’ offense as they vie for the AFC North title. He’s definitely someone to monitor in the weeks ahead.
Week 16 matchups: vs. New England Patriots, 8:20 p.m. ET
Michael Carter, RB, Arizona Cardinals (7.8%)
The Cardinals are eagerly awaiting the end of the season, but they faced another tough loss on Sunday, suffering a 40-20 defeat to the Texans. However, Carter found an opportunity to shine, getting a whopping 80 percent of the offensive snaps. He managed 56 rushing yards on 14 carries and caught all four of his targets for 38 receiving yards.
This surge in his output comes as Bam Knight left the game with an ankle injury, leaving Carter as the primary running back for Arizona. With Knight likely out this Sunday against the Falcons, Carter is set for an uptick in touches.
Week 16 matchups: vs. Atlanta Falcons, 4:05 p.m. ET
