4. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Since coming off IR and out of now-departed head coach Dennis Allen's doghouse, Miller has 19 carries and a rushing touchdown. When Alvin Kamara exited Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders early in the fourth quarter, Miller played 23 of the 27 remaining snaps (h/t to Pro Football Focus), with eight carries and 15 routes run as he clearly became the lead back for the Saints.
Early reports have said Kamara is "day to day". The Saints have an extra day before taking on the Green Bay Packers to close Week 16, which could be helpful to him being able to play. Week 17 brings another solid matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
With so many injuries elsewhere on their offense, the Saints have run their offense through their running backs. With the idea Miller could be the lead back over the next couple weeks, and how he has surely earned a role regardless of Kamara's status, he is an easy (and widely available) waiver wire add to consider.
ESPN Ownership: 8%
Yahoo! Ownership: 11%
3. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard did not practice at all last week due to an ankle injury. He played Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he was clearly limited at times and the game script was a further nudge for Spears to play more than he usually has and he delivered with 92 total yards on 10 touches (six catches for 87 yards) and two total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving).
The Titans next two matchups are about as good as it gets for running backs, as the Indianapolis Colts (Week 16) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 17) both entered Week 15 among the five most-generous teams in fantasy points allowed to running backs this season (Yahoo! scoring, 0.5-point PPR).
If Pollard were to miss time, or be shut down with the Titans out of playoff contention, Spears would take over as the lead back with the cliche' "league-winner" label feeling appropriate. The worst-case might be splitting work with Pollard, which would land Spears on the flex radar in 12-team leagues with those two great matchups coming. In any case, Spears should be firmly on the radar to add in leagues where he's available. If he wasn't so close to the 50 percent rostered threshold for a waiver wire add, he might be No. 1 on this list.
ESPN Ownership: 43.2%
Yahoo! Ownership: 44%