Activity on the waiver wire may have been fairly quiet in your 2014 fantasy football league thus far, but Week 6 will be loaded with plenty of activity.
With a slew of injuries around the NFL, backup running backs got their chance to show their stuff in Week 5. Branden Oliver seemingly came out of nowhere when Donald Brown was sidelined with a concussion, and Oliver made the most of his opportunities with 114 rushing yards, four receptions, 68 receiving yards and two total touchdowns. Rookie Andre Williams also provided solid relief for the New York Giants when Rashad Jennings suffered a sprained MCL. Williams finished Week 5 with 65 rushing yards off of 20 carries, caught two passes for 18 yards and scored a rushing touchdown.
Whether your starting running backs are under performing, injured, or you just want to add depth to your bench, many fantasy football players are in the market for a new running back heading into Week 6.
Some of the backs available on waivers will provide will provide more immediate results than others, but these are the rushers with the most upside for the next several weeks.
Branden Oliver: Currently owned in .7% of ESPN standard scoring leagues
He will on many more rosters when waivers clear, but Oliver is more than a flavor of the week. The rushing attack for the San Diego Chargers is completely decimated, and Ryan Mathews is still a weeks away from a return. With a 4-1 start, and the offense ranking seventh in passing yards and the defense ranking second against the pass and ninth against the rush, things are very fluid in San Diego. As the main back on a team averaging 31.3 points in the last three out of four games, Oliver should find his way onto your roster now.
Andre Williams: Currently owned in 36.4% of ESPN standard scoring leagues
Williams won’t make much of an impact in PPR leagues, but he is a powerful runner who should rumble into the endzone against the soft rush defense of the Philadelphia Eagles. He will need plenty of touches to get going, but with 35 carries in the past two weeks, the Giants seem committed to giving Williams the rock. Until Jennings returns, Williams is the go-to-back for New York.
Ronnie Hillman: Currently owned in .9% of ESPN standard scoring leagues
C.J. Anderson: Currently owned in 41.2% of ESPN standard scoring leagues
I am very surprised at the percentage in which Anderson is owned, but I am assuming that is from Montee Ball owners who wanted to protect their first or second-round investment. The Denver Broncos do not have very favorable matchups in terms of running the ball, facing the sixth ranked rush defense of the New York Jets in Week 6, and the third ranked rush defense of the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. Any rusher involved in the Bronco’s offense, however, has a chance for fantasy success. Pay attention throughout the week as details surrounding a running back committee come forward.
Storm Johnson: Currently owned in .2% of ESPN standard scoring leagues
Toby Gerhart has struggled with injuries throughout the year, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to enlist a rushing attack to take pressure off of rookie quarterback Blake Bortles. The Jaguars’ offense is currently averaging 67 rushing yards per game, so Jacksonville will roll with any runner that can move the chains. Even though he only carried the ball four times, the rookie running back led the team with 27 rushing yards. Johnson should see an increased role moving forward.
Benny Cunningham: Currently owned in 1.4% of ESPN standard scoring leagues
Despite the hype around Zac Stacy‘s 2013 season, Benny Cunningham was a favorite of fantasy analysts heading into 2014. Despite limited action, Cunningham has been effective when he has a chance to touch the ball. On seven carries, the 24-year old back totaled 47 rushing yards, recorded three receptions for 24 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. Stacy has extra time to recover from his calf injury with a game against the 49ers on Monday, but if this becomes a reoccurring issue for Stacy, Cunningham will take full advantage of any opportunity he has.
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