If it wasn't for the Buccaneers and their decimated backfield, the Week 12 Waiver Wire Running Backs article wouldn't be as juicy as it normally would. With Doug Martin down, Mike James made for a solid replacement. With James now gone, owners had their choice of Brian Leonard or Bobby Rainey. Hopefully you chose right.
Also make sure to check out the:
Week 12 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Week 12 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Week 12 Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Bobby Rainey - Buccaneers (Owned Percentage – ESPN 2.2%/Yahoo 26%)
If you checked out my Buccaneers Backfield article from last week, I listed both Rainey and Leonard as possible pickups going into Week 11. However, I didn't strongly back either of them for the simple fact that we didn't know how the backfield would shake out. The stars certainly aligned for Rainey. He got good blocking and the Falcons defensive line looked like they never saw a running back before. Rainey carried the ball 30 times for a whopping 163 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, while also receiving another score. Leonard only managed 37 total yards off 8 touches. Rainey will be the big waiver pickup this week and certainly deserves a flex spot against the Lions in Week 12. Just make sure you aren't the idiot who takes Chris Rainey by accident.
Donald Brown - Colts (Owned Percentage – ESPN 7.8%/Yahoo 26%)
With Trent Richardson having a horrible year in Indy, the Colts have had to rely more on Brown. It showed Thursday night against the Titans as Brown rumbled his way to 80 rushing yards and 2 scores in the win. Chuck Pagano says he has no idea why T-Rich isn't play as well as hoped, which isn't a very ringing endorsement. Brown, not Richardson, will be the better option to play when the Colts go up against the Cardinals in Week 12. The matchup isn't so great, however.
Montee Ball - Broncos (Owned Percentage – ESPN 72.6%/Yahoo 36%)
Ball's owned percentage is slowly creeping up, but it should be even higher after his performance last night against the Chiefs. Ball doesn't get very many yards, as you can see by his mere 25 against the Chiefs. But his redzone touches are pushing him up as a high-end flex option. In the last 3 games, Ball has scored 3 times and should steal more carries from Knowshon Moreno, whom the team plans on using more between the 20's. If Ball is out there, pick him up.
Chris Ogbonnaya - Browns (Owned Percentage – ESPN 7.7%/Yahoo 9%)
The Browns wanted to get Ogbonnaya more involved in the offense due to Willis McGahee's lack of production since his signing. It showed Week 11 against the Bengals. Ogbonnaya touched the ball 14 times for a total of 99 yards. McGahee had already yielded passing down work to Ogbonnaya, but now it appears the Browns want Og to be THE back in the backfield. With that said, Ogbonnaya has more value in PPR leagues going forward. His rushing attempts during his career have been inconsistent.