RADIO
It's time to come clean. Time for a little honesty around here. Time to pay the piper if you will. Up until this week, up until the writing of this very column, I haven't been particularly excited about many running back waiver wire adds so far this season. My "Cream of the Crop" adds in the first quarter of the season have worked out for the most part.
Dion Lewis (Week 2/3) has been consistently strong, Karlos Williams (Week 4) has a TD in every week this season, and even Matt Jones (Week 1) was usable if you trusted him early on. The handcuff backs that I've pushed hard, Knile Davis and James Starks, still hold their handcuff value and some owners may have even been able to cash in on Starks leading up to Week 3 while Eddie Lacy was potentially a victim to a high ankle sprain.
While these players have been solid pick-ups, I haven't been truly excited to run to the waiver wire and get them. However, with four weeks now in the books, I'm very much looking forward to getting to the waiver wire this week.
I wrote about sample size last week, and that point is only pounded home more with another week of data. I love this time of the season for trades and use of the waiver wire because at this point you can start to identify teams that are willing to cut ties with preseason commitments (usually to veterans) and give more playing time to the more talented player. In my opinion, the next 2-3 weeks are where leagues can be won on the waiver wire. Taking an in depth look at the current situation in the backfield of each NFL team, and trying to find the hidden gem that is about to break out can make or break a fantasy season. Lucky for you, I've done the work here, and now you can reap the benefits. Run to the wire this week like Usain Bolt because there are season changing studs out there waiting to be picked up.
This article will aim to highlight week five running backs that you should consider targeting on your league's waiver wire. I've split these players up into three tiers from most desirable to most desperate. Additionally, I've included players at the bottom of this list that I would be comfortable cutting as I don't see them contributing in a major way this season.
Cream of the Crop Running Backs for Week 5 Waiver Wire
These are running backs that I would add no matter what if they are available on your waiver wire. These players have a chance to be starters and weekly contributors to their NFL teams:
Duke Johnson (RB, CLE) - 47% owned on Fleaflicker
Two weeks ago, I tried to trade James Starks to the Eddie Lacy owner while Lacy was very questionable for his Monday Night matchup with the Chiefs. In return I asked for Duke Johnson. A fair trade price in my opinion, considering this teams RB situation. They shot me down and I didn't up my offer, which is looking more and more like a mistake. Johnson is a pass catching back and the Browns have finally figured that out. After not catching a pass through the first two weeks, Johnson has grabbed 15 receptions in the past two, including his 9-85-1 line this past weekend against the San Diego Chargers. He'll continue to split time with the less talented bruiser back, Isaiah Crowell, but it looks like Johnson is starting to take over as the lead back in what I anticipate will eventually be a 65-35 split in touches as we get into the second half of the season. That's good enough to make Johnson my number 1 pickup this week, and label him as a potential difference maker for the rest of the season.
Ronnie Hillman (RB, DEN) - 50% owned on Fleaflicker
We've heard about Hillman's big play potential since he entered the league, but when you look at his game log for the past three seasons you would never know about it. Long runs of 31, 19, and 37 yards from 2012-14 respectively, Hillman just hasn't broken off the big one very often/ever. That all changed though last night. Hillman took one 72 yards to the house in Denver's 23-20 win over the Vikings. Gary Kubiak continues to insist that Hillman and C.J. Anderson will split time, and while I am still trying to buy low on the first-round fantasy pick Anderson, Hillman needs to be owned in nearly all leagues at this point. He's going to get 12-15 touches per game in a Peyton Manning run offense. Currently averaging 4.9 yards per carry, Hillman has simply looked like the better back - and if he ever gets more involved in the passing game, he could be a top 20 RB play on a weekly basis.
Antonio Andrews (RB, TEN) - 13% owned on Fleaflicker
I put Andrews in the "Wait and See" section in Week 4, not because I didn't think he was worthy of a pickup, but more-so because the Titans were on a bye and I wanted to see if they made a move during their week off before really pumping the tires on Andrews. Andrews was the lead rusher in Tennessee's Week 3 game, and I expect that to continue despite head coach Ken Wisenhunt claiming he will be using a "week to week" approach. Andrews has the classic bowling ball body at 5'10'' 225 pounds. Andrews reminds me a lot of Zac Stacy, specifically the 2013 version on the Rams that came out of nowhere to take the starting job and plodded his way to a near 1,000 yard season with seven touchdowns. I'm certainly more bullish on Andrews than most, and this will be about opportunity over talent, but I think the Titans hate Bishop Sankey (out-snapped by Andrews in week 3 and was playing on special teams) and will do anything to give someone else the job.
Honorable Mentions: Andre Williams (RB, NYG) - 50% owned
Wait and See Running Backs for Week 5 Waiver Wire
These are running backs highly available on the waiver wire who you should consider stashing if you have room:
Darren McFadden (RB, DAL) - 60% owned on Fleaflicker
Normally we don't list players who are owned at more than a 50% clip, but I'm considering McFadden as an exception. McFadden has mostly acted as the third running back in the Dallas system this year, clearly taking a back seat to Joseph Randle on the early downs and to Lance Dunbar on the passing downs. Randle and Dunbar have both been good enough (great in some cases) to keep McFadden in that role, and if it wasn't for an injury to Dunbar last night ( ACL tear) I suspect McFadden would have been unusable all season. However, with the injury to Dunbar, I suspect that McFadden will get his normal share of carries subbing in for Randle, as well as take over the passing downs duties. With this in mind, I'm adding McFadden in my PPR leagues, and using him as a bye week fill in for now in standard scoring formats.
Charles Sims (RB, TB) - 49% owned on Fleaflicker
It's unfortunate that Doug Martin had such a good game on Sunday because I was ready to claim Sims as a potential breakout candidate with the potential of taking the majority timeshare of the Tampa Bay backfield job. However, Martin's 106 yard with a TD day sets back Sims' march toward the top of the backfield depth chart. Sims did score a TD of his own in the passing game (where he excels) for the second straight week, but this remains a wait and see. I believe Sims has the talent to hold down a majority timeshare, but I'm not yet convinced that he'll do it with a healthy Doug Martin.
Honorable Mentions: Cameron Artis-Payne (RB, CAR) - 11% owned, David Johnson - 44% owned
Hail Mary Running Backs for Week 5 Waiver Wire
These are desperation plays who shouldn't be starting for you. The injury bug, bye week troubles, or something else needs to be affecting your team to add these players:
Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) - 4% owned on Fleaflicker
No surprise here, the Washington Redskins organization is confusing and dysfunctional. After a huge week 2 by Matt Jones, this fellow named Chris Thompson all of the sudden seems to be stealing touches from him. Thompson got 10 touches in week 3 and another 8 in week 4. He totaled 77 total yards this past Sunday, so while I can't guarantee any touches here for the unpredictable Redskins, I can tell you that Thompson has at the very least made the most of his playing time the past few weeks.
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