NFL pool: hunt for running backs

It’s the hell for ball carriers in the NFL!

Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook and D’Andre Swift recently fell in battle. Week 13 is also a week off for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers, meaning Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and Aaron Jones will be inactive.

Here are seven running backs to target on waivers:

Alexander Mattison – Minnesota Vikings (Available in 48% of Yahoo! leagues)

Called on to replace Cook in the Vikings’ backfield, Mattison must be the priority of all poolers looking for a running back. The third-year player has previously proven himself able to do the job brilliantly, having been very productive in weeks three and five, when Cook was forced to take time off due to injuries.

Boston Scott – Philadelphia Eagles (Available in 80% of Yahoo! leagues)

The Eagles rely heavily on ground play and it’s hard to say who will get the ball more often in their backfield. Scott was privileged last week, however, and did well with 72 yards and a major. Considering he faces the weak New York Jets this Sunday, Scott becomes a fixture.

Jamaal Williams – Detroit Lions (Available in 59% of Yahoo! leagues)

If Swift doesn’t recover from his shoulder injury, Williams will see his use increase dramatically against the Vikings. When the Lions No. 1 left the field last week, Williams got the ball 15 times and tallied for 65 yards. He also caught all five passes sent in his direction for 18 yards.

Matt Breida – Buffalo Bills (Available in 77% of Yahoo! leagues)

Breida appears to have become the Bills’ number 1, having been the club’s third running back for the vast majority of the season. Last Thursday, against the New Orleans Saints, Zack Moss was left out and Devin Singletary was mostly used when victory was assured. The Bills calendar does not favor Breida, but it deserves to be considered by poolers in need.

Dontrell Hilliard – Tennessee Titans (Available in 71% of Yahoo! leagues)

Hilliard is not a short-term fix as the Titans are on hiatus this week. The 26-year-old will have plenty of the ball by the end of this campaign, however, as he seems to have become the first option in his training in the absence of Derrick Henry. Last Sunday, he amassed 131 yards and scored a touchdown. He is also a threat from the air, which makes him a prime target for poolers.

Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers (Available in 60% of Yahoo! leagues)

As in the case of Hilliard, Hubbard will not be playing this week. He will, however, be responsible for replacing McCaffrey for the remainder of the Panthers campaign. In the absence of the star player earlier in the season, the fourth-round pick (126th overall) in the last draft has averaged more than 20 times per game.

Tony Pollard – Dallas Cowboys (Available in 17% of Yahoo! leagues)

Pollard isn’t available in a lot of leagues, but if he is in yours, you should definitely jump at the chance. The Cowboys reportedly intend to rest Ezekiel Elliott this week, which would mean the Dallas club runner-up has plenty of room against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday.