Best available running backs on the Week 7 waiver wire

UPDATE: This is a helpful cheat sheet of the relevant injuries at running back and the players to keep in mind on the waiver wire.

Week 7 is a brutal bye week for fantasy managers, with four of the top fantasy offenses sitting out. There’s also big-time running backs to replace from the Jaguars and Steelers, in addition to the stars on Dallas, Minnesota and Los Angeles. Here are five running backs available on the waiver wire who could provide a strong performance in a pinch during Week 7.

Bye weeks: Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, Vikings, Chargers, Steelers

Devonta Freeman, Baltimore Ravens (2.4% in ESPN leagues)

Next up — Cincinnati Bengals

The Ravens are going to keep running the ball no matter how many injuries they have in the backfield. Freeman is in line to lead the group after having a strong outing against the Chargers. This will be a true committee, with Lamar Jackson also taking away some carries from the group. Freeman is the most likely to grab a lion’s share of the work.

Le’Veon Bell, Baltimore Ravens (7.2%)

Next up — Cincinnati Bengals

Bell will see more work than Freeman in the receiving game, and Baltimore’s carries are usually fairly evenly distributed. Bell is not what he once was but can still provide some strong production as a flex, especially in deeper leagues. For managers who miss out on Freeman, Bell is a solid backup option.

Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders (58.6%)

Next up — Philadelphia Eagles

Drake is not likely to get carries out of the backfield but the Raiders are putting him on the field more in general. He’s still a receiving back, so don’t expect 20+ touches all of a sudden. The new regime in Las Vegas seems keen to get Drake more involved, which means the running back has value as a waiver wire pickup this week. He’s a fine plug-in option for a star player on a bye.

Chris Evans, Cincinnati Bengals (2.0%)

Next up — Baltimore Ravens

Evans is emerging as the secondary back in Cincinnati with Samaje Perine sidelined. Whether that continues remains to be seen, but Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor want to get Evans involved. The running back will be used against a Ravens defense which gets tested when dealing with speed.

Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (38.6%)

Next up — Chicago Bears

Jones is behind Leonard Fournette in the Tampa Bay backfield and he’s not taking receiving work away from Giovani Bernard. That being said, he’s high among the list of running backs likely to get a goal-line carry here and there which immediately elevates him into flex consideration. The waiver wire for running backs usually thins out by now but Jones is worth rostering, especially if you have Fournette.