There were eight running backs drafted in the first round based on Average Draft Position on CBS Sports with Adrian Peterson, Eddie Lacy, Jamaal Charles, Le'Veon Bell, Marshawn Lynch, Matt Forte, C.J. Anderson and DeMarco Murray. That group looked great in August, but it has been quite a disappointment ever since.
And things just keep getting worse due to injuries. We already lost Charles to a torn ACL, and now Bell was placed on injured reserve with a torn MCL, ending his season. Forte is also expected to miss at least two weeks with his own MCL injury.
DeAngelo Williams is back on the Fantasy radar now as the top priority to add this week. He will replace Bell as the starter for the Steelers, and there's a good chance he will become a weekly starter for your Fantasy team based on how he's done when Bell missed time.
After Bell got hurt in Week 8 against the Bengals, Williams came in and had nine carries for 71 yards and four catches for 39 yards. Remember, Williams also started two games for the Steelers when Bell was suspended to open the season, and he had 12 Fantasy points in a standard league against New England in Week 1 and 26 Fantasy points against San Francisco in Week 2.
He is owned in just 34 percent of leagues on CBS Sports, and he should be considered a solid No. 2 Fantasy running back for Pittsburgh's matchup with the Raiders. We just hope Williams, 32, can hold up as a starter for the rest of the year.
In Chicago, the Bears will turn to rookie Jeremy Langford as their starter, and he should be the No. 2 priority off waivers behind Williams. He is owned in just 7 percent of leagues on CBS Sports.
Langford does have two touchdowns on the season, but he saw the most action of the year in Week 8 after Forte got hurt against the Vikings with 12 carries for 46 yards. He's nowhere as talented or versatile as Forte, but he does have a great matchup in Week 9 at San Diego, which makes him worth considering as a flex option.
There were a lot of injuries in Week 8 that Fantasy owners need to monitor, but the other big ones aside from Bell and Forte included Steve Smith (torn Achilles), Reggie Bush (torn MCL), Khiry Robinson (broken leg), Mike Davis (broken hand), Keenan Allen (back), Brandon Marshall (toe/ankle) and Kendall Wright (knee). Smith, Bush and Robinson are out for the season.
Smith's injury is devastating because he has been tremendous this year, and it will be hard to replace his production -- for the Ravens and Fantasy owners. And the 49ers might have a new running back out of Pierre Thomas (7 percent) or Kendall Gaskins (0 percent) with Davis and Carlos Hyde (foot) also banged up. Allen also is expected to miss time with a kidney injury.
Needless to say, this will be an extremely active week on the waiver wire, especially with six teams on a bye (Detroit, Kansas City, Arizona, Seattle, Baltimore and Houston). Be ready to spend plenty of bid points on Williams, Langford, Steve Johnson (46 percent) and Kamar Aiken (18 percent), among many others, as Fantasy owners are scrambling due to all these injuries.
Quarterbacks
Injuries: Ryan Fitzpatrick (left thumb), Geno Smith (shoulder) and Josh McCown (ribs)
Key players on bye: Matthew Stafford, Carson Palmer and Russell Wilson
Priority list (Top 5 to add in this order):
Jay Cutler
MIA • QB
Ownership Percentage59 percent
You don't generally associate Cutler with being consistent, but that's what he's been for the past four games. He's scored exactly 21 Fantasy points in each game over that span, and he has multiple touchdowns in three of those outings. With Forte now out, Cutler will likely have to do more heavy lifting for the offense, which could be a good thing for his outlook, especially against the Chargers on Monday night. San Diego has allowed multiple touchdowns to the past three opposing quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr and Joe Flacco.
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Derek Carr
NO • QB • #4
Ownership Percentage57 percent
I don't love the matchup for Carr in Week 9 at the Steelers with the cross-country trip for a 1 p.m. ET start. Pittsburgh also has allowed just one quarterback to score multiple touchdowns since Week 2. But you have to believe in the way Carr has played of late and for most of this season. He has scored at least 29 Fantasy points in a standard league in each of his past two games against the Chargers and Jets, and he has 24 or more Fantasy points in four of his past six games overall. We'll see how he does at Pittsburgh, but Carr could become a weekly starter for Fantasy owners down the stretch thanks to standout weapons in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
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Tony Romo
DAL • QB • #9
Ownership Percentage67 percent
Romo is on target to return from his broken collarbone in Week 11 at Miami, so you have two weeks to get him on your roster. If he's still on waivers, Romo could become your starting quarterback for a playoff push since he should be a standout Fantasy option for the final seven games of the season. Dez Bryant returned in Week 8, and the Cowboys offense is starting to get healthy at the right time for Fantasy owners. Obviously, if you need a quarterback now, get Cutler, Carr, Jameis Winston or Tyrod Taylor ahead of Romo. But if your quarterback position is settled for Weeks 9 and 10 and you have an open roster spot then get Romo now and reap the benefits starting in two weeks.
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Jameis Winston
CLE • QB • #5
Ownership Percentage36 percent
I've gone back and forth on Winston and Carr for this week because both are coming off a solid two-game stretch, but Carr has better weapons and feels somewhat safer with his production, especially for the rest of the season. But Winston has the better matchup in Week 9 against the Giants, who just got lit up by Drew Brees for 511 yards and seven touchdowns. Winston won't come close to that, but he should get Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) back this week, which will help with Vincent Jackson (knee) likely out. Winston also hasn't thrown an interception in three games, and he should play well at home. He's an excellent bye-week replacement in all formats.
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Tyrod Taylor
NYJ • QB • #2
Ownership Percentage62 percent
Taylor appears on track to return in Week 9 after being out the past two games with a knee injury. And he couldn't have picked a better opponent to face against Miami at home. Taylor had 30 Fantasy points against the Dolphins in Week 3, and now Miami is without standout pass rusher Cameron Wake (torn Achilles). Taylor, Carr and Winston all have the chance to start for Fantasy owners this week, especially if you don't want to go with guys who are struggling like Cam Newton, Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill.
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Potential drop candidates: Russell Wilson (98 percent), Matthew Stafford (96 percent), Ryan Tannehill (93 percent), Joe Flacco (84 percent) and Ryan Fitzpatrick (63 percent)
Of note
- Blake Bortles (67 percent) has a tough matchup coming off the bye at the Jets, who were just embarrassed by Carr. He could play well in New York, and he has scored at least 19 Fantasy points in five of his past six games, but I'd put him behind all of the guys listed above for this week.
- Marcus Mariota (39 percent) could return this week after being out the past two games with a knee injury, and he would have a great matchup against the Saints, who allow the most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. But Mariota struggled before getting hurt in Week 6, and it would be hard to trust him as a starter in the majority of leagues, especially with Wright out with a knee injury. Mariota would only be an option in two-quarterback leagues.
- Geno Smith (2 percent) is expected to start with Fitzpatrick out, and he's not a bad flier in deeper leagues against the Jaguars. They struggled the past two games against Brian Hoyer and EJ Manuel, and Smith had 23 Fantasy points at Oakland in Week 8 in relief of Fitzpatrick. Like Mariota, Smith would be worth using in two-quarterback leagues.
Running backs
Injuries: Le'Veon Bell (torn MCL), Matt Forte (MCL), Reggie Bush (torn ACL), Orleans Darkwa (back), Khiry Robinson (leg), Branden Oliver (ankle) and Mike Davis (hand)
Key players on bye: Charcandrick West, Chris Johnson, Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett
Priority list (Top 5 to add in this order):
DeAngelo Williams
PIT • RB • #34
Ownership Percentage34 percent
Williams doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 9 against Oakland. The Raiders have allowed just one running back to rush for more than 70 yards and only two running backs have scored touchdowns. But even if Williams struggles against Oakland he's still going to see plenty of work for the rest of the season with Bell out. Williams is easily the No. 1 player to add in all leagues, and he's worth at least 50 percent of your FAAB budget this week and the top waiver spot.
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Jeremy Langford
ATL • RB • #43
Ownership Percentage7 percent
Langford is going to start for the injured Forte for the foreseeable future, and we hope he takes advantage of this opportunity, especially in Week 9 at San Diego. The Chargers had allowed a running back to score double digits in Fantasy points in every game prior to Week 8 when Justin Forsett and the Ravens broke the streak. Langford, a rookie from Michigan State, had a season high in carries last week after Forte got hurt with 12 for 46 yards. He does have two touchdowns on the season also, and I would use Langford as at least a flex option in this matchup Monday night.
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Antonio Andrews
TEN • RB • #26
Ownership Percentage57 percent
Have the Titans committed to Andrews as their No. 1 running back? Maybe, but nothing is guaranteed with this backfield, especially with David Cobb (30 percent ownership) expected to return as early as this week and now a coaching change with Mike Mularkey replacing the fired Ken Whisenhunt. But Andrews had 16 carries in Week 8 at Houston, which was the most for a Titans running back in a single game this year. He also had three catches, and his 19 touches were a season high for a Tennessee running back. He finished with 64 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards, which is a respectable total in a game the Titans lost 20-6. They could get blasted this week in New Orleans, but the Saints have allowed a running back to score in five of eight games this season, including five on the ground. Andrews has the potential to be a low-end starting option this week or at least a flex.
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C.J. Spiller
KC • RB
Ownership Percentage58 percent
Spiller has been a disappointment this season, but the injury to Robinson could give him a bigger role and the chance to help Fantasy owners down the stretch. He scored in the bonanza in Week 8 against the Giants, and his involvement in the passing game was already picking up with at least four catches in three of his past five games. He's also scored in two of his past three home games, and he has a favorable matchup in Week 9 against the Titans.
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Matt Jones
PHI • RB • #38
Ownership Percentage54 percent
Chris Thompson (back) could be out again in Week 9 at New England, which means Jones will see action on passing downs. The Redskins will be chasing points against the Patriots, which means Jones will see more action than Alfred Morris. And Jones could start to take over for Morris as the season moves forward, so now is the right time to add Jones if he's still out there on waivers.
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Potential drop candidates: Carlos Hyde (93 percent), Rashad Jennings (91 percent), Andre Ellington (88 percent), Ameer Abdullah (82 percent) and Joseph Randle (78 percent)
Of note
- The 49ers signed Thomas (7 percent) on Tuesday, and this backfield is now a mess if Hyde remains out as expected. The team will likely share carries with Thomas, Gaskins and Shaun Draughn, and I would only add Thomas in deeper leagues for Week against the Falcons. The 49ers are clearly in shutdown mode after trading Vernon Davis to the Broncos and benching Colin Kaepernick for Blaine Gabbert. Thomas won't have many easy running lanes, and he would only be worth starting as a flex in deeper leagues.
- Karlos Williams (55 percent) is expected to return in Week 9 against Miami after sitting out the past three games with a concussion. He will play behind LeSean McCoy, but Williams scored in each of the first four games he played, including as a backup to McCoy. In Week 3 against the Dolphins, Williams had 12 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. Don't play Williams ahead of McCoy if you have both on your roster, but Williams is worth consideration as a flex option this week.
- Cobb has been out all season after being placed on the PUP list with a calf injury in training camp, but he is eligible to return this week. There was a report that he was overweight last week, so he could be inactive in Week 9. And Andrews has started to play well of late, so that could impact Cobb's role. But if you have an extra roster spot, especially in a deep league, you can stash Cobb just to see what develops over the next couple of weeks. The Titans don't have a No. 1 running back, and Cobb could easily come in and steal the job if Tennessee decides to give him enough touches when healthy.
Wide receivers
Injuries: Steve Smith (Achilles), Calvin Johnson (ankle), Keenan Allen (back), Brandon Marshall (toe/ankle), Kendall Wright (knee), Brian Hartline (concussion), Eddie Royal (knee) and Ricardo Lockette (neck)
Key players on bye: Calvin Johnson, Jeremy Maclin, Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Michael Floyd and DeAndre Hopkins
Priority list (Top 5 to add in this order):
Michael Crabtree
ARI • WR • #15
Ownership Percentage59 percent
Crabtree has more than proven his worth and should be added in all leagues. If he continues to play like he has for the past two weeks then he'll become a must-start option down the stretch. Crabtree, not Cooper, leads the Raiders in targets, and he's been great the past two games with 13 catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 20 targets. He's had at least six targets in every game this year, and he's finished with at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in four of seven games. Cooper is still the No. 1 receiver in Oakland, but Crabtree has proven to be a close second.
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Malcom Floyd
LAC • WR • #80
Ownership Percentage33 percent
We hope Allen can make a speedy recovery from his kidney injury, but if he's out then the Chargers will need someone to take his place because he's been a vital part of this offense. Johnson makes the most sense to step into Allen's role because he plays on the outside and in the slot. Floyd will also see a boost in targets and production, but his role isn't expected to change much. Antonio Gates, Ladarius Green and Danny Woodhead will also see more attention until Allen returns, but Johnson could see the biggest benefit and is worth adding in all leagues.
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Kamar Aiken
PHI • WR • #81
Ownership Percentage18 percent
Aiken will now become the No. 1 receiver for the Ravens with Smith out for the season. He played this role once already when Smith missed Week 5 against Cleveland with a back injury, and he had four catches for 78 yards on nine targets. There have been four times this season where Aiken had at least seven targets in a game, and he's finished with either a touchdown or at least 78 receiving yards in each outing. Smith had at least seven targets in every game he played this season. In deeper leagues, Chris Givens (0 percent ownership) is worth adding because his role will now expand as well.
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Tavon Austin
BUF • WR • #86
Ownership Percentage60 percent
Maybe I'm being stubborn here by not having Austin higher on this list, but I'm still not sold on him being a consistent Fantasy option. Yes, he scored twice at home against the 49ers in Week 8 with a nice stat line of four catches for 98 yards and a touchdown on seven targets and three carries for 21 yards and a touchdown, which was 21 Fantasy points in a standard league. But this was just the second time he's scored double digits in Fantasy points and the second time he's had more than 45 receiving yards. He's an excellent playmaker for the Rams, and when he hits it can be a huge stat line for Fantasy owners. But I need to see more action as a receiver before I would consider him anything more than a high-upside No. 3 Fantasy option in the majority of leagues.
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Robert Woods
HOU • WR • #2
Ownership Percentage24 percent
There's a chance Watkins could return this week, which would relegate Woods to the No. 2 receiver role. That would make him less attractive, but Watkins has struggled to stay healthy all season and Percy Harvin doesn't appear set to return any time soon. Woods was great in Week 7 against Jacksonville when he was the No. 1 option with nine catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, and he's worth a flier in deeper leagues. Taylor is expected to return for the Bills, which is an upgrade at quarterback over EJ Manuel, and Woods would be a solid No. 3 receiver against the Dolphins in Week 9 if Watkins is out.
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Potential drop candidates: Golden Tate (89 percent), Mike Wallace (80 percent), Pierre Garcon (78 percent), Doug Baldwin (70 percent) and Terrance Williams (67 percent)
Of note
- If Willie Snead (67 percent ownership) and Rishard Matthews (67 percent) are still on waivers, I would take them both ahead of Crabtree. Snead rebounded from two bad outings prior to Week 8 before he starred in the shootout against the Giants with six catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets. He has a great matchup with the Titans at home in Week 9. And Matthews has scored at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in five of seven games. The last time he faced the Bills in Week 3 he had six catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets.
- Marques Colston (37 percent), Andre Holmes (2 percent) and Dwayne Harris (2 percent) all had surprise games in Week 8. Colston had eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, Holmes had two catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns on three targets and Harris had three catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. Of these guys, only Colston is worth a look for this week with the matchup against the Titans. Hartline also scored two touchdowns in Week 8, but he's likely to miss Week 9 on Thursday night.
- Marquess Wilson (7 percent) gets a boost if Royal is out, and the last time Royal sat in Week 5 at Kansas City we saw Wilson have a great game with six catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Now, Alshon Jeffery was also out for that game, so take that into consideration, but Wilson could see a boost in production if Royal misses Monday night at San Diego.
- Dorial Green-Beckham (13 percent) and Justin Hunter (3 percent) should see a boost with Wright out, and this is a great matchup for them to step up and perform well at the Saints. But we don't know if Mariota will play, and neither Titans receiver aside from Wright has been consistent. Harry Douglas (8 percent) could return this week as well from a rib injury, but if I had to pick one of these guys I'd take a flier on Green-Beckham.
Tight ends
Injuries: Ladarius Green (ankle) and Larry Donnell (neck)
Key players on bye: Eric Ebron, Travis Kelce, Jimmy Graham and Crockett Gillmore
Priority list (Top 5 to add in this order):
Benjamin Watson
NE • TE • #84
Ownership Percentage48 percent
Watson has been better than Graham this season with the same amount of catches (38), 22 more receiving yards (472 to 450) and one more touchdown (three to two). I liked Watson prior to the season, but I didn't expect the level of play we've seen the past four games with three touchdowns over that span and two games with at least nine catches and 127 yards. He's a must-start option in Week 9 against the Titans, and he should be a starter in the majority of leagues for the rest of the year.
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Austin Seferian-Jenkins
NE • TE • #88
Ownership Percentage47 percent
Seferian-Jenkins is expected to return from his five-game absence with a shoulder injury, and this would be a tremendous situation for him against the Giants and with Jackson likely out. You'll have to keep an eye on his status, and when he's healthy he could be a must-start Fantasy option for the rest of the season. Health, however, could be an issue for him based on what we've seen the past two years.
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Jacob Tamme
ATL • TE • #83
Ownership Percentage9 percent
Tamme has proven to be the No. 2 receiver for the Falcons when Leonard Hankerson is out, and Hankerson missed Week 8 with a hamstring injury. Tamme responded with 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets against Tampa Bay. In Week 5 against Washington, Hankerson was banged up, and Tamme had eight catches for 94 yards on 10 targets. He has a solid matchup in Week 9 against the 49ers, but Tamme's outlook depends on Hankerson playing or not.
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Heath Miller
PIT • TE • #83
Ownership Percentage44 percent
Miller has played well every time Ben Roethlisberger has finished a game with at least eight Fantasy points in a standard league in three games this year. He had 10 catches for 105 yards in Week 8 against the Bengals on 13 targets, and Miller faces the Raiders this week. Oakland has allowed the most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and Miller is worth starting in the majority of leagues this week.
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Vernon Davis
WAS • TE • #85
Ownership Percentage37 percent
The 49ers traded Davis to the Broncos, which is an upgrade to say the least. He escapes the dumpster fire in San Francisco, and he doesn't have to worry about playing with Gabbert. Davis has been terrible this season, and his best game was Week 7 against Seattle with four catches for 61 yards on five targets. He'll compete for playing time with Owen Daniels, but the Broncos didn't make this trade to keep Davis on the bench. He'll have a few good games down the stretch, but we need to see him play well and what his role is with this offense before we could recommend adding him in the majority of leagues.
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Potential drop candidates: Martellus Bennett (94 percent), Jordan Cameron (55 percent) and Kyle Rudolph (52 percent)
Of note
- Charles Clay (64 percent ownership) is worth a look this week with Taylor back, and he was great against the Dolphins in Week 3 with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. He has struggled since Taylor went down, but if he's still on waivers in your league, I would pick him up ahead of Tamme and Miller.
- Coby Fleener (45 percent) played well against the Panthers in Week 8 with seven catches for 43 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets, but I don't expect him to start playing at a high level moving forward. Prior to Week 8, Fleener had combined for six Fantasy points in his previous three games. He will likely struggle in Week 9 against Denver.
DST streamers
Bengals (vs. CLE): 57 percent
Falcons (at SF): 72 percent
Eagles (at DAL): 67 percent
K streamers
Nick Folk (vs. JAC): 60 percent
Chris Boswell (vs. OAK): 37 percent
Connor Barth (at NYG): 13 percent
