The 10th week of the 2016 regular season is just about over with only the Monday Night Football game remaining. Most fantasy football leagues will run their waiver wires late Tuesday or early Wednesday, but we are here to help you get a jump on the best options to consider.
We will be ranking the top five players likely to be available in your league at each of the four major positions. Some weeks there might not be five good options available, but we’ll scour for the best we can find. Additionally, throughout the week, we will update each of these articles as ownership percentages change (via CBS Sportsline) and news arrives.
Waiver wire running back rankings, Week 11
1. Bilal Powell, New York Jets (47 percent owned)
Powell continues to get the job done in PPR leagues, catching seven passes on Sunday, including the Jets’ lone touchdown, albeit on a trick play. Powell is also continuing to maximize his rare running opportunities, gaining 37 yards on four carries. He might be one of the best handcuffs in the league behind Matt Forte, but as Sunday showed, he can contribute even when Forte is playing.
2. Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens (39 percent owned)
At some point, it should become Dixon’s time to take over in Baltimore. For now, he remains behind Terrance West. But against the Browns on Thursday, Dixon had his most productive game, with six carries and five receptions. If that workload can continue to expand, Dixon had a chance to make an impact come fantasy playoff time.
3. Damien Williams, Miami Dolphins (10 percent owned)
You could hardly make more out of less than Williams on Sunday. He had two rushes and one pass target, and managed to score two touchdowns. Jay Ajayi is the man here, but Williams has now scored touchdowns in three of his past four games. He would appear to be the handcuff of choice and if he’s going to continue vulturing touchdowns, he’s going to have some value.
4. Wendell Smallwood, Philadelphia Eagles (7 percent owned)
For all the talk about Darren Sproles taking over lead back duties in Philadelphia, it was Ryan Mathews who got the lion’s share of carries, and he made the most of it with 109 yards and two touchdowns. But second to Mathews in carries with 13 was not Sproles. It was Smallwood, who rushed for 70 yards. Trying to decipher what is going on with this backfield is maddening, but Smallwood should certainly remain in the mix after that performance.
5. Akeem Hunt, Houston Texans (0 percent owned)
Hunt made his season debut on Sunday and quickly made an impact on the Texans’ backfield, carrying eight times for 52 yards. His eight carries was one more than Alfred Blue, and his effectiveness could earn him for touches going forward. If anything, Hunt needs to be considered as handcuff material for Lamar Miller.
