Week 16 Fantasy Football Running Back Waiver Wire Adds: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Michael Carter and More

If you're reading this, congrats on still being alive heading into Week 16, aka the fantasy football semifinals. Although it's never too late in the year to improve your roster with a clutch waiver wire pickup, at this time of year, there's no such thing as a long-term stash. 

Consider a player's profile and matchups, and ask yourself whether they can realistically make your lineup in one of the next two weeks — if the answer is no, leave them on waivers. Keep that in mind as we dive into the top running back waiver options of the week. 

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

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (46% Rostered)

This is going to be an article with lots of injury talk, as multiple starting NFL RBs went down in Week 15. In the Commanders' case, Chris Rodriguez, who has been the team's lead rusher for the back half of the season, was actually ruled out before the game even began with a groin injury.

With Rodriguez out, Croskey-Merritt stepped in as the team's lead back. He saw 18 carries on a 55% snap share, totaling 96 yards and a TD. His role was far from perfect, as he saw zero targets on three routes, with Jeremy McNichols serving as the passing-down back. McNichols was also involved on the ground, with nine carries of his own. But it's still hard to pick too many nits with the rookie providing an RB1 finish (pending MNF) in the first week of the fantasy playoffs. 

Going forward, the first question to answer for JCM's value is whether Rodriguez will return. If he does, this backfield will likely return to an ugly three-way committee, in which no individual player is usable. 

If Rodriguez remains out, the second important question is whether we can count on Croskey-Merritt to provide meaningful production in a mediocre role against teams that aren't the Giants (specifically, the Eagles and then the Cowboys). In shallow leagues, the answer might be no, but “Bill” is worth picking up off waivers if you are weak at RB in a deeper format. 

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (42.7% Rostered)

Corum is actually the only back in this article who didn't benefit from an injury this week. But even with Kyren Williams still healthy (and scoring two TDs), the second-year back provided a solid 13.1-point day. Assuming it holds through Monday Night Football, this was Corum's third straight week as a top-17 fantasy back. 

On the one hand, this level of production is definitely unsustainable given Corum's workload — he has four TDs over these last three weeks on just 30 carries (and one target). On the other hand, his role has clearly expanded, and this Rams offense is providing plenty of TDs to go around. 

I still wouldn't feel great starting Corum against the Seahawks' excellent defense next week. But if he remains heavily involved, he might be a playable option against the Falcons in Week 17. If nothing else, Corum provides elite handcuff value, making him a great player to have on your bench at this time of year. 

Jawhar Jordan, Houston Texans (0% Rostered)

I genuinely don't think I have listed a single 0% rostered player all season, for either this article or my WR waiver article. But Jordan, the 2024 sixth-round pick out of Louisville with zero career NFL games, let alone snaps (let alone touches) prior to Sunday, breaks that streak. 

Nick Chubb was ruled out by the Texans coming into Sunday with a rib injury. During the game, rookie RB Woody Marks injured his ankle. With them both out, Jordan stepped up. He handled 15 carries on a 44% snap share, and even saw two targets on five routes (a 16% route participation rate). 

Jordan looked good, too, averaging nearly seven yards per carry and recording the first 100-yard rushing game of any Texan this season. There's a chance he remains involved in this offense even if Marks and/or Chubb return. If they don't, he's a genuine starting option against the Raiders next week. 

Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals (7.8% Rostered)

Marks wasn't the only back to exit with an ankle injury in the matchup between the Texans and Cardinals. Bam Knight, who has been the Cardinals' RB1 for most of the season since James Conner (and then Trey Benson) went down, was carted off in the first half. It has already been confirmed that Knight will likely miss at least one week.

That's good news for Carter, who served as the Cardinals' RB1 following Knight's injury. In fact, Carter wasn't just the leader of a committee; he was a legit bellcow. He easily led the team in snap share (79%), carries (14 of 17), and even route rate (63%) and targets (four). 

Going forward, there's a chance Carter's role shrinks as Arizona has a week to gameplan without Knight. Arizona also has the lowest rush rate in the league at just 30%, so even losing just passing-down work (potentially to Emari Demercado, who returned from injury this week) could significantly hurt Carter's fantasy outlook.

But right now, we have an RB who seems to be a legit workhorse heading into okay matchups with the Falcons and Bengals, both exploitable defenses. Carter is a must-add, even if it's a bit scary to imagine trusting him with your fantasy playoff life. 

Audric Estime or Evan Hull, New Orleans Saints (0.7%/1.2% Rostered)

The final RB to go down on a bloody Sunday around the NFL was Devin Neal (hamstring), who was already filling in for the injured Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle). Unfortunately, there was no clear next man up in New Orleans' backfield. 

Hull and Estime — both recent fifth-round picks by teams other than the Saints — saw similar usage. Estime led in snaps (24 to 19), routes (14 to seven), and targets (three to zero). But Hull actually saw one more carry, four to three (Taysom Hill also saw two carries). 

Based on these numbers, Estime is more likely to be the back worth playing if Neal and Kamara remain sidelined. But the Saints do have two tempting matchups coming up with the Jets and the Titans. In deep leagues (which are the only leagues where these guys are really worth considering), both Hull and Estime are worth stashing in case one emerges as a true workhorse and fantasy-viable option.