Posted on: September 11, 2023, 12:20h.
Last updated on: September 11, 2023, 12:20h.
The NFL season is in full swing and fantasy football enthusiasts are looking for potential waiver wire pickups in Week 2. Two running backs to consider are Kyren Williams from the Los Angeles Rams and Justice Hill from the Baltimore Ravens.
Other running backs that could be available on the waiver wire include Kenneth Gainwell from the Philadelphia Eagles, Joshua Kelley from the Los Angeles Chargers, Tyler Allgeier from the Atlanta Falcons, or Tank Bigby from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Last season, Gainwell was part of a running back by committee for the Eagles and contributed to their Super Bowl LVII appearance. In Week 1, he had 14 carries for 54 yards and added four receptions for 20 yards, totaling 74 scrimmage yards.
Kelley, the backup behind Austin Ekeler on the Chargers, had a strong Week 1 performance with 16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins.
Allgeier, a second-year running back for the Falcons, scored two touchdowns in Week 1. He rushed for 75 yards on 15 attempts and added three receptions for 19 yards. Allgeier outperformed rookie running back Bijan Robinson in terms of carries and yardage.
In 12-team or 14-team fantasy football leagues, consider adding rookie running back Tank Bigsby from the Jacksonville Jaguars. He rushed seven times for 13 yards and scored a touchdown in his debut.
Kyren Williams (RB, Rams)
The Los Angeles Rams surprised everyone with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1. Despite being the underdogs, the Rams showed exceptional grit, toughness, and resilience, particularly demonstrated by Kyren Williams.
“There was a grittiness, there was a toughness, there was a resilience on display from this team,” said head coach Sean McVay. “And I loved it, especially Kyren Williams.”
Although Williams started the season as a backup to Cam Akers, he made a significant impact in Week 1. Despite receiving fewer touches than Akers, Williams showcased his talent with 52 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries. He scored the Rams’ first touchdown of the season during a 16-play, 75-yard drive in the first quarter.
The Rams drafted Williams in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. During his final two seasons at Notre Dame, Williams recorded 27 rushing touchdowns in 24 games. In his rookie season with the Rams, he had limited playing time with 35 carries for 139 yards and no touchdowns.
With four home games in the next six weeks, the Rams will face tough opponents such as the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Philadelphia Eagles.
In their upcoming game against the 49ers, the Rams opened as +7 home underdogs.
The 49ers are the favorites to win the NFC West with -500 odds. Despite the Rams’ impressive Week 1 performance, their odds to win the division remain at +1000.
Justice Hill (RB, Ravens)
The Baltimore Ravens suffered a setback in Week 1 when their starting running back, J.K. Dobbins, suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. However, the Ravens have a strong running back corps featuring Justice Hill, Gus Edwards, and Melvin Gordon.
Hill and Edwards were competing for the backup role in the preseason, but with Dobbins’ injury, they will likely split playing time going forward. The Ravens will also promote Melvin Gordon from the practice squad to the roster.
In Week 1, Edwards rushed eight times for 32 yards, while Hill was utilized in short-yardage situations and managed eight rushes for nine yards but scored two touchdowns. Hill had an average of 5.3 yards per carry last season.
The Ravens have a challenging schedule ahead with three road games in the next four weeks, including matchups against division rivals. Their lone home game will be against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3.
In Week 2, the Ravens will face the Cincinnati Bengals, and oddsmakers have installed the Bengals as -3 favorites.
Despite losing Dobbins, the Ravens are still considered co-favorites to win the AFC North with +200 odds.