For most people, the fantasy football season ended in Week 16 with the championship rounds. However, there are still a handful of leagues that play into Week 17, while DFS games are still going strong. We didn't want those people to feel left out, so the waiver wire column is here for the last time in 2015.
A lot of teams are still fighting for playoff spots and seeding, so we could see far less starters resting than usual. And if you're in a keeper or dynasty league, now's your chance to snap up potential breakout candidates for the 2016 season. With that in mind, let's take a look at running back wire candidates, owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Cameron Artis-Payne, Carolina Panthers (43 percent)
The Panthers are starting to get thin at running back. Jonathan Stewart is not a sure thing to return this week and Fozzy Whittaker is out with a high ankle sprain, so the Panthers could be forced to turn to rookie Artis-Payne against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the No. 1 seed still up for grabs, Carolina won't be resting any starters. Artis-Payne is something of an unknown quantity at this point and Tampa boasts the leagues' 10th-best rushing defense, so he'll be a low-end flex option and DFS dart throw.
Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions (29 percent)
Riddick remains a quality PPR asset, racking up seven more catches against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. He now has 76 catches on the year, leading all running backs and setting a Lions single-season record for catches by a running back. Riddick doesn't run the ball enough to have a high fantasy ceiling, but he'll stay on the flex radar against the Chicago Bears next week.
Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29 percent)
Despite Doug Martin being the main workhorse, Sims is still getting plenty of work in Tampa's backfield. He briefly took over in Week 16 when Martin fumbled twice, finishing with 117 total yards and a touchdown on just seven touches. With Martin chasing the rushing title, the Bucs could give him as many carries as possible next week, but Sims' big-play ability gives him some RB3 upside against the Panthers.
Bilal Powell, New York Jets (29 percent)
With Chris Ivory banged up and getting less effective by the week, Powell has seen a lot more snaps than usual the past few games. He's now entrenched as the passing-down back and figures to play a key role as the Jets try to clinch a playoff spot next week. Powell is startable in PPR leagues, but more of a RB2/flex in standard formats. He has a decent ceiling against a Buffalo Bills defense that has collapsed in recent weeks.
Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins (12 percent)
The Dolphins have nothing left to play for and Lamar Miller will be a free agent at season's end. It's entirely plausible that they give Ajayi a chance to show that he can be the lead back in 2016. Ajayi doesn't have must standalone fantasy value against a New England Patriots team still trying to clinch homefield advantage, but he's a must-hold in keeper/dynasty leagues.