Fantasy football waiver wire advice: Running back rankings for Week 16

Week 15 of the 2017 regular season is just about coming to a close with the Monday Night 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 and news arrives. The following ownership percentages come via CBS Sportsline entering Week 16.

We’re going to be brutally honest with you: If you’re in your league final and you’re in need of a running back off the waiver wire, you’re going to lose. There are simply no standout options who aren’t owned in at least 80 percent of leagues. But there are a handful of guys like McGiure, who put up 15 fantasy points on Sunday on the strength of three receptions for 48 yards and a score. The Chargers, whom the Jets face in Week 16, are among the league’s worst at stopping pass-catching backs, so if McGuire can continue in the role he carved on Sunday, he can make an impact in championship games.

Gallman has back-to-back weeks of 16 and 13 fantasy points. The Cardinals are a top-10 defense in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs, so the double-digit days may be over, but he’s clearly getting enough work to be considered viable this week.

Green has passed Ameer Abdullah on the depth chart, carrying the ball 10 times on Saturday, getting the bulk of the work after Theo Riddick left with a wrist injury. An undrafted free agent, Green didn’t exactly run wild with his opportunity, but if Riddick were to somehow miss Sunday’s game against the Bengals, who rank 28th in fantasy points allowed to running backs and have completely quit on their season, Green would have a chance to make an impact as a flex option or desperation No. 2 RB.

He did almost all his damage on one play, a 36-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, but Washington does need a third-down back after season-ending injuries to Chris Thompson and Bryon Marshall. Bibbs’ 4-47-1 line for 14 points is nothing to sneeze at, although a matchup against Denver will be a challenge.

If Kerwynn Williams is unable to go this week against a bad Giants run defense, Penny has a chance to deliver as an RB 2 or flex. Penny carried 10 times for 45 yards Sunday and the Giants rank 23rd in fantasy points allowed to running backs, so there’s hope.