Week 13 Fantasy Football Running Back Waiver Adds: Devin Neal, Raheem Mostert, Kenneth Gainwell and More

After a Week 12 waiver run chock-full of exciting running back pickups, Week 13 isn't quite as exciting. However, there are still some backs who have the ability to help your fantasy football roster for the playoff push and beyond. 

I'm sure everyone is busy with Thanksgiving this week (I know I am), so let's get right into it.  

Check out fantasy football waiver wire targets all season on FantasySP. 

Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (61.2% Rostered)

Gainwell had a massive game last week against the Bengals after Jaylen Warren exited early with an ankle injury. Afterward, Steelers OC Arthur Smith called the duo “pretty interchangeable,” implying we might see a more split backfield in Pittsburgh going forward. 

And that came true on Sunday. Warren still led with 18 carries to Gainwell's 10, but the latter's 36% RB rush share was his highest with Warren healthy since the very first week of the season (in part because rookie Kaleb Johnson didn't play a snap, let alone see a carry).

Gainwell was also the team's clear lead receiving back. He ran 18 routes (a 53% participation rate) to Warren's eight, and racked up six targets for a 19% target share. As a result, he easily led Warren in both expected half-PPR points (15.3-11) and real half-PPR points (15.2-12.8).

As long as this split remains, Gainwell is a startable option, so he should be rostered in essentially all leagues. 

Devin Neal, New Orleans Saints (4.7% Rostered)

Veteran Alvin Kamara went down early in the Saints' Week 12 loss with a knee injury. It is reportedly an MCL sprain — not a major injury, but one that could cause him to miss time. In his absence, the sixth-round rookie from Kansas will be the Saints' RB1.

On Sunday, Neal played 58 snaps for a 74% snap share. No other non-Kamara RB touched the field. However, this doesn't mean Neal had no competition. Swiss Army man Taysom Hill took 15 snaps in the backfield (and five at QB), and he actually lead the team with 10 carries to Neal's seven. 

On the positive side, the rookie did rack up seven targets for a 16% target share. And I don't think the Saints really plan to use the 35-year-old tight end currently averaging 2.2 yards per attempt (1.7 on Sunday) as their lead rusher.

Neal is a must-add in all formats if Kamara is set to miss time, even if Hill's presence means his path to a workhorse role isn't as clear as it seems at first glance. 

Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals (34.6% Rostered)

I don't know what Knight has to do to get more widely rostered. He has essentially served as the Cardinals' lead back for over a month now, yet he's still available in nearly two-thirds of leagues. He was Arizona's RB1 once again on Sunday — Michael Carter did lead him in routes and snaps, but Knight led in carries (10-5) and targets (5-3).

I've always said every NFL RB1 should be rostered, and that rule remains true here. Trey Benson's potential return could change things, but for now, Knight is someone to add if you need RB help.

Raheem Mostert, Las Vegas Raiders (1.7% Rostered)

Rookie star Ashton Jeanty exited early with an ankle injury in the Raiders' embarrassing loss to the Browns on Sunday. It's very possible that he could have returned and will play next week (a la Jaylen Warren this week). It's also possible that his ankle will swell up, and he ends up missing time.

If that does happen, Mostert is the next man up to roster in Vegas' backfield. Of course, if the hyper-explosive sixth-overall pick can't get much going behind the Raiders' terrible O-line, it's hard to see the 33-year-old journeyman making much of a fantasy impact.

But what I just said about every NFL RB1 needing to be rostered still applies, so Mostert is a name to watch depending on Jeanty's status.

Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (42.2% Rostered)

Tuten had three-quarters worth of an exciting breakout game in Week 11. The rookie was out-touching and out-playing Travis Etienne Jr. and on pace to smash his previous career high in snap share, but then he suffered an ankle injury and did not return.

Thankfully, Tuten's injury was minor, and he suited up without an injury designation in Week 12. Unfortunately, he did not pick up where he left off. His 30% RB rush share (seven carries to 15 for Etienne) was above his season average, but nothing like last week when he was leading this backfield. He also fell to just a 21% snap share (13 snaps) and failed to see a target on his six routes. 

With all this in mind, Tuten is back to being more of a long-term stash than a potential flex play in the near future. But at worst, he's a handcuff, and at best he could be due for another breakout game as soon as next week. The athletic rookie is the kind of high-upside player worth holding at this stage of the season. 

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (38.2% Rostered)

After a massive outing in Week 11, Tucker actually saw his role expand in Week 12. He posted a 37% snap share, his second-highest mark of the season, and led the Buccaneers' backfield with 12 carries (Rachaad White had seven).

Despite not traditionally being much of a pass-catcher, he also led the backfield with two targets, although White still ran more than twice as many routes. 

However, Tucker's upside is capped by the impending return of Bucky Irving. Once the sophomore stud is back on the field, it's hard to see Tucker having fantasy relevance as an early-down grinder. Still, it's not often we find a player with two RB1 overall games on his resume (one last week and one in 2024) available on waivers.

His path to hitting it isn't super clear, but Tucker's ceiling is tempting.