Week 3 Running Back Waiver Options: Alvin Kamara, Jonah Coleman, and More
Six running backs who have appeal on the waiver wire and whether you should consider them.
Over the past decade or so, the motley crew that makes up the “fantasy football community” has tried to make both quarterbacks and wide receivers seem more important than running backs in certain years. The caveat is that we are talking about fantasy football, not real football.
In real life, I agree that most running backs are infinitely replaceable, and spending a lot of money on 90% of backs is a fool's errand. In fantasy, however, productive backs are worth their weight in gold, as there are far fewer guys who fit that description than there are at wide receiver. Backs are also nearly impossible to stream outside of the shallowest leagues, so quarterback is a much easier position to fill.
There really is nothing like having a deep, productive set of RBs. With that in mind, let's look at six running backs who are hot names on the waiver wire heading into Week 3. Most stats are from NFL.com, and fantasy points and rankings are from FantasyPros.
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Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley suffered an injury in Week 2 and carried the ball just four times. Bigsby received 13 carries and Shipley seven, and both players caught two passes. Barkley did return but was limited, so it remains to be seen what will happen next week. The most likely outcome is Barkley being just fine, but there are questions.
Assuming Barkley is healthy, there isn't much value for Bigsby or Shipley, who were both inefficient in their touches. If you're in a super-deep league, it might be worth grabbing Bigsby just in case, but these are probably two guys better left on your waiver wire.
Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
There was buzz around Coleman in the draft and then entering the season, with many assuming that he would take a major role once J.K. Dobbins inevitably went down with an injury. Well, Coleman may have accelerated the process, receiving the same 10 carries that Dobbins did while scoring a touchdown.
RJ Harvey missed this game with a hamstring injury, and his return might push Coleman back down the pecking order. Harvey played the most snaps among all Denver backs in Week 1, while Coleman played just three snaps and didn't touch the ball. This game might earn Coleman a little more playing time, but it's a crowded backfield in which to trust the rookie.
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Coleman is best kept as a stash player right now if you have an extra roster spot. He is likely to be behind both Dobbins and Harvey for the time being (if both are healthy), making Coleman a guy who probably won't touch the ball enough to be a real fantasy option.
Kaleb Johnson, Green Bay Packers
Speaking of enigma backfields, the Packers had Johnson, MarShawn Lloyd, and Chris Brooks all receive between four and eight carries on Sunday. Johnson had the most from the group after not playing at all in Week 1, when Lloyd had 13 attempts and Brooks seven.
You could take a flyer on Johnson in hopes that he will lead the way moving forward, but I don't trust any of the Green Bay backs right now. This will probably be a split backfield until Josh Jacobs' possible return (which is still a major question mark). Lloyd is owned in most fantasy leagues, but Johnson is widely available and could be had. This is an option in a super-deep league or if you're hurting bad at running back and just need another body on your roster who has a chance at more work.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Kamara missed Week 1 but returned on Sunday, carrying the ball nine times and catching five passes. He was terribly inefficient, gaining just 15 rushing yards and seven receiving yards, but his 14 touches to 10 for Travis Etienne Jr. point toward Kamara being plenty involved moving forward.
Kamara is owned in fewer than 50% of leagues, a weird fact for a guy who has been a must-own player for essentially his entire career. He wasn't very good last season either, showing the same inefficiency that did in Week 2 and losing more fumbles (two) than he scored touchdowns (one) in 11 games.
He will still catch the ball, making Kamara an interesting player in PPR, but I don't trust him to have too many big performances. Kamara is going to be splitting the backfield with Etienne, and we haven't seen him as an efficient runner since 2020. Kamara is a fine guy to keep on your bench in case Etienne misses time, but there probably won't be a lot of value for the veteran back very often.
Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Rookie Jadarian Price is the lead back in Seattle, but he ceded some touches to Wilson during the game, then Price left with an injury in the fourth quarter, leading to Wilson pacing the team with 21 carries to just 13 for Price. George Holani was also involved, but Wilson took the biggest share of the load by far, and he seems to be the guy if Price misses time.
When Price is healthy, he will likely see a big enough chunk of the touches to keep Wilson a non-factor in fantasy. Price's chest injury seems to not be serious, so he could very well be back next week. Grabbing Wilson is more for a deep bench spot with the hope that he can keep finding a role, but I don't have a ton of faith for Wilson as a contributor moving forward.
