Branden Oliver (RB, SD) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add and Start in Deep Leagues

6% Owned in Fleaflicker

ANALYSIS: The San Diego Charger running game has been woeful and with a week five matchup against the Jets’ league best NFL rushing defense it didn’t appear as if the Chargers run game was going to improve. Along came Branden Oliver, the 5’8” 207 lb. 23 year old who burst onto the scene like a bolt of lightning after replacing injured starter Donald Brown.

Oliver used his speed, agility and ball catching ability to finish week five with 182 combined rushing and receiving yards, the most by a San Diego back since 2007. Running like a man on a mission he used his great field vision to identify and squeeze through narrow lanes. He also utilized his craftiness and knack for making precise cuts and shifting directions which left Jet defenders shaking their heads as they watched the back of his jersey disappear up field.

Oliver was an undrafted rookie free agent who has been a career underdog due to his short stature, but his work ethic and determination keeps him falling forward and makes him someone to snatch off of the waiver wire in deeper leagues. He probably won’t be a long term every down back, especially with Ryan Matthews returning soon, but with Donald Brown’s multi-week ineffectiveness and concussion, Oliver should be very productive against a bad Oakland Raider team in week six. He looks very capable of filling the hole left by Danny Woodhead’s season ending injury.