Fantasy football, Week 6: Best players available at running back in waivers, free agency

Looking at the waiver wire this week there are slim pickings at all of the skill player positions. Still, there are some deep gems that owners should have their eyes on if they are looking to get through injuries or the bye week stretch unscathed. So which running backs should owners consider picking up this week? Depending on your needs, these are the best rushers still available in most leagues right now.

In his first game since Week 2, Mack went off for 91 yards and a touchdown on nine carries and added one catch for two yards in the Colts’ Week 5 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Mack was sidelined three weeks with a shoulder injury. Mack has had an up and down season, but he stands to see a lot more touches going forward after his big Week 5. The rookie had a cupcake matchup last week, but he’s facing a much tougher challenge against the Tenessee Titans Monday night. Still, Mack is worth stashing for later especially if Frank Gore, the oldest rusher in the NFL, goes down.

The New York Jets will need McGuire to step up in the absence of Bilal Powell Sunday. Powell is listed as a game-time decision with a calf strain. McGuire has not made a big impact on the Jets’ offense this season, but he did have a huge Week 4, rushing 10 times for 93 yards and a touchdown and catching two balls for 38 yards. The rookie rusher should see a lot of action and should put up good numbers against the lowly New England Patriots if Powell is a scratch this week.

Ellington makes his money as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. In the last two games, Ellington has nine catches apiece. Week 4 he had 86 yards receiving and carried the ball five times for 18 rushing yards. Week 5 Ellington had 65 receiving yards, but only had one carry for a loss of two yards. With QB Carson Palmer relying more on check-down passes, Ellington has a ton of appeal, especially in PPR leagues.