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Fantasy football week 2: Top 8 waiver wire running backs

By Zachary Thompson

Sep 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) attempts to tackle New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) attempts to tackle New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) during the fourth quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Dion Bailey (37) brings down St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Dion Bailey (37) brings down St. Louis Rams running back Benny Cunningham (36) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Benjamin Cunningham-St. Louis Rams (20.9%)

In the Rams win against the Seahawks, they were forced to go with Benjamin (or B.J. or Benny depending on the site you’re look at) Cunningham as their full-time back. Cunningham had surprising good numbers against the tough Seattle defense turning 20 touches into 122 total yards.  He took his 16 carries for 45 yards and added 77 receiving yards on a team-high seven targets.

The reason I have Hillman and Lewis ranked ahead of Cunningham is that his long-term ceiling is limited by the arrival of Todd Gurley and the return of Tre Mason.  Ultimately, Cunningham is usually the team’s third-down running back and will continue to play a role in the offense even when those players return, but he won’t get nearly as much playing time as he did Sunday.

Cunningham’s value for week 2 is totally dependent on the injury status of Mason and Gurley.  If he is atop the depth chart again, he’s definitely a nice flex play against the Redskins and a decent RB2 option in PPR leagues. If you need a week 2 starter, I would rank him as the top widely available option (even over Chris Johnson) if he is the top back available for the Rams.

Next: Karlos Williams-Buffalo Bills

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