Week 8 Waiver Wire: DeMarco Murray and Rising Fantasy Football RBs to Snag

Week 7 of the 2011 NFL season was all about injured fantasy football running backs and the able-bodied backups who replaced them. Ball carriers went down by the boatload on Sunday, allowing a slew of underutilized runners to strut their stuff and assert themselves as worthwhile fantasy pickups. 

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

No newcomer had a bigger impact on the fantasy landscape this week than DeMarco Murray.

The rookie out of Oklahoma set the Cowboys' single-game rushing record by scampering for 253 yards on 25 carries, one of which went for a touchdown.

Murray didn't even start—that honor went to Tashard Choice—but still got the bulk of the carries in place of the injured Felix Jones, when Choice succumbed to an apparent shoulder injury after just two attempts.

Granted, Murray had the benefit of debuting against the worst rush defense in the NFL. However, that should hardly preclude you from picking him up at your soonest convenience. Two of Dallas' next three games are against teams with defenses that rank among the bottom eight in the league against the run.

The Cowboys figure to feed him the ball early and often until Jones' sprained ankle heals up. 

Alfonso Smith, Arizona Cardinals

Beanie Wells spent plenty of time on the Cardinals bench with a knee injury against the Steelers, which opened the door for Alfonso Smith to carry their ground game.

Smith garnered only five carries but turned those into 17 yards and a touchdown against a traditionally stout Pittsburgh defense.

However, he may not have much more success against the Ravens next week, given their success against opposing running backs this season. That being said, if you've got some room to spare on your roster, and some time to wait, hang onto Smith.

He'll have a game against the Eagles and two against the Rams, who surrendered a big day to DeMarco Murray, to rack up some serious points. 

Shonn Greene, New York Jets

At last, Shonn Greene has come along...as a productive NFL running back. Greene gauged a decent Chargers defense for 112 yards on 20 carries in the Jets' 27-21 win.

Gang Green will be off in Week 8, but will resume play with four games against substandard defenses (twice against Buffalo, once each against New England and Denver). As such, if you're willing to invest in a running back to produce in the near future, you'd do well to put your faith in Greene.