RADIO
If my friends didn't use such horrific language, I'd post a screenshot of the string of separate text messages I got at 2:53 pm on Sunday. All of them were along the lines of "Nooooooo" or "Not again!" or "he looked like he got shot!" 2:53 pm will be the minute in time that changes a lot of fantasy seasons this year. At 2:53 pm, Jamaal Charles, the number two running back in fantasy to this point, went down in a heap. A non-contact injury to which fantasy owners are conditioned to immediately hold their breath and think that their dreams of a title is over. Torn ACL, confirmed on Monday, out for the rest of the season.
2:54 pm...open google...search "Charcandrick West." Fantasy football is a fickle game and as I've written in the past, injuries should never be something an owner cheers for, but they do represent opportunity.
Each week, this article will aim to highlight 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 6 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:
Charcandrick West (RB, KC) - 4% owned on Fleaflicker
I'll admit, I feel strange typing this name. Back in week 1, myself along with every analyst in the world would have told you that without a doubt, Knile Davis was the Jamaal Charles handcuff. However, in the past few weeks, people have started to question that notion and now it's popular opinion that it's actually West who will lead the KC backfield in Charles' absence. It has been reported that Reid prefers West to Davis, but then again, West himself came out and said that the two backup running backs were told that they would be splitting time on the field. Based on Davis' performance while Charles was out last year, whichever back takes the lead here is in line for some high-level production. West had a modest 8 touch for 36 yard day after Charles left the game, but he definitely has RB2 potential right now.
I don't normally go beyond add/drop strategy in this column, but this seems like a special case since such a big name in Charles went down. I'm listing West as my top pickup of the week because I believe he will carry the most value out of all the names on this list going forward. However, I'm wary that the job will actually be his. I think we could see a even split here with a chance that Knile Davis, who has proved he can be the lead back before, just takes the job outright. So while I'm adding West before any other running back, I'm also considering cashing in on his trade value before seeing how the situation plays out.
Antonio Andrews (RB, TEN) - 18% owned on Fleaflicker
I've written about Andrews the past two weeks, here and here, but the point remains...there is a potential starting NFL running back here. He proved that he's the goal line back by punching in a 1 yard score on Sunday and showed a little bit of skill in open space by catching 3 balls for 45 yards. I still see 2012 Zac Stacy here if the Titans would just give Andrews the full time gig.
Honorable Mentions: Thomas Rawls (RB, SEA) - 30% owned
Wait and See Running Backs for Week 6 Waiver Wire
These are running backs highly available on the waiver wire who you should consider stashing if you have room:
Charles Sims (RB, TB) - 50% owned on Fleaflicker
What I wrote about Sims last week holds true...it's once again unfortunate that Doug Martin had such a great Sunday because Sims continues to show flashes of being a really effective running back. Martin scored all the touchdowns on Sunday, but Sims was no slouch, carrying the ball 12 times for 51 yards and adding 4 catches for another 85 yards. Sims is explosive in the passing game and will be a capable bye week fill in while having RB2 upside if the oft-injured Martin were to ever go down.
Javorius Allen (RB, BAL) - 8% owned on Fleaflicker
Allen showed of the talent that we all heard about during the preseason on Sunday, taking the ball 8 times for 58 yards. This job is still firmly Justin Forsett's, but Forsett went down with an ankle sprain late in the game on Sunday and there is certainly potential that Forsett misses week 6 and Allen gets a large load of carries. Keep an eye on Forsett and the injury situation because Allen could have a big day filling in against a 49er's defense that is in the bottom 7 of stopping fantasy RB scoring.
Honorable Mentions: Theo Riddick (RB, DET) - 15% owned
Hail Mary Running Backs for Week 6 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:
Zach Zenner (RB, DET) - 4% owned on Fleaflicker
Zenner, or 'Doc' as his teammates call him referring to his eventual desire to go to Medical School, is starting to get some opportunities in the Detroit backfield. His opportunity started with an injury to Joique Bell and has continued with Ameer Abdullah's fumbling issues which got him benched on Sunday. Zenner didn't turn in big numbers against a strong Arizona defense and in a blowout, but the opportunity for him remains and with the Lions a lowly 0-5 I wouldn't be surprised if they feed him the rock more in coming weeks.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) - 11% owned
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