Week 6's Fantasy Waiver Wire was looking to be pretty boring, and then a couple backs got hurt. Now we are looking at a very intriguing grab for some guys who could potentially be lead backs for their teams. What makes it even more cloudy though is the fact that there seems to be a little bit of a competition for both the open spots. There are two upstarts that can will more than likely be thrown into the starting role this week, adding instant value to your fantasy team. Beware though, as their are some experienced reserves that will get healthy. Once these guys come back, they are going to be equally hungry to fill the void. So if the less experience player falters early, they might be quickly replaced. So with that here are some guys you should look to pick up, if you have space on your bench of course.
Alex Green and James Starks: Cedric Benson is out for 8 weeks because of a Lisfranc foot injury. This opens the way for Alex Green (0.8 percent owned) and James Starks (5.9 percent owned) to pick up the usual 40-80 yards, and possibly a touch down, Packers starting running backs seem to get. So which way do you go here? No one likes being that guy who picks up the one injury fill in just to lose their job. In my opinion I would go with James Starks here, he may be hurt at the moment, but once healthy he has a better grasp of the job and the NFL. Alex Green is definitely the more talented back in this situation, but he is very raw and it seems Mike McCarthy seems to agree. According to ESPN.com "McCarthy hinted towards Starks because of Starks' pass-blocking knowledge." Starks may not be the best running back out of the two for Week 6, but I believe further down the road (maybe even as early as Week 7) Starks will win this job. Don't forget that Starks was the guy who ran for 123 yards, breaking a Packers rookie record, during the Packers Super Bowl Run.
LaRod Stephens-Howling and William Powell: This is the running back situation for the more desperate fantasy teams out there. The Cardinals' offensive line is absolutely putrid, so don't go dropping a solid contributor for either of these two. As for the actual running backs, this situation between the experienced one (Stephens-Howling) and the younger gun (Powell). Stephens-Howling is definitely the one with the immediate value, he expects to start this week. The thing is that Stephens-Howling is so much more fit for a change of pace, being only 185 pounds. This is smelling like either a timeshare, or the Cardinals are going to pick up somebody else new to be the back. Unfortunately, this Cardinals line is so bad at stopping anybody from getting to the ball carrier that you should probably wait a week to grab anyone in Arizona. Just ask Beanie Wells or Ryan Williams owners.
Jahvid Best: My pro-tip last week is starting to get some buzz around him, even though he is not playing Week 6. He is not cleared just yet to play for Week 7, but after reading about how Best looked during training camp, I personally can't imagine him not playing against Chicago. Best is a former 1st round pick, a guy who (when healthy) carved up the Bears on Monday Night Football. The Lions NEED him to inject some buzz in this offense, as both a running back and a pass catcher. This can be a time share in the beginning with Leshoure, but Leshoure against the Vikings seemed really slow. Even if Best is getting around 12 carries and 7 targets a week, his speed will make up for the lack of immediate touches (even though 19 wouldn't be a small number).
Devery Henderson: Sure, this guy has been inconsistent for most of his fantasy football life. The thing is that the weapons around Henderson have been dwindling slowly. Meachem is in San Diego, Graham and Moore are both hurt. Henderson went from just a deep threat, to now probably being either the number 2 or 3 option in the Saints passing attack. Match that with this guys speed, and some other teams bye weeks, this could ignite like a wildfire. Now Moore could come back next week (this week is their bye), and Devery could go back to being the inconsistent deep threat. It is always frustrating to have that gets 24 on your bench who you are never comfortable to play. If Moore is out though, and you need a guy to play, this guy isn't not a bad choice.
Kendall Wright: In PPR, this guy should of been on your roster weeks ago. In other formats though Wright, who was looked at only as a short term value, Wright is still holding onto being a decent option. Kenny Britt still looks like a ticking time bomb ready to explode with points. If he can't go this week though Wright could be an interesting player Thursday night.
Brandon Gibson: Really interesting guy who is still a little bit low key, we have seen what Amendola has done being the Rams' number 1 receiver. Brandon Gibson was a bit of a sleeper to start the year, and then Amendola was a revolution in the first 4 weeks. Amendola is out though, maybe for the whole year, so Gibson is the top target now. Immediate value may not be there, but I find the upside very intriguing.
Stretch Finds:
Last week we did some trade values, and they are very similar this week, so now we are looking at some stretch finds.
Shane Vereen: Could replace Woodhead in the pass game, and could get some rushes since Ridley may have ball security issues here. Question is Brandon Bolden may keep Vereen off the field now.
Kendall Hunter: He is securely at the number 2 spot for now, Gore could tire out or get hurt though. Hunter may shine in those pesky fantasy playoffs.
Really Any Cleveland Receiver: Some people are trying to talk themselves into Massoquoi, Norwood, or Gordon. Personally, I think it is too big of a mess and you should avoid it. There is a chance to get lucky and pick the right one, but can you really talk yourself into that guy?
T.Y. Hilton and Donnie Avery: Donnie Avery was a hot pick up a couple of weeks ago, but his value is come down. To me, he is better than Hilton but either one of these guys could be good.
Davone Bess: More defensive attention to Brian Hartline, makes Bess at the very least interesting.
