Working the Wire: Week 5
@IBiggs15 October 5
It’s Tuesday and with Week 4 in the books there are plenty of players waiting to be picked up on the waiver wire. This week there are truly some players who could be major pieces to your championship roster. As always these are going to be players owned in less than 30% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions you can tweet me, @ibiggs15, or @FF_Undergound.
- Blake Bortles, QB, 19.7% owned - With Derek Carr seeing a 36.8% increase in ownership, Bortles is the next best option at QB on the wire. If you have Teddy Bridgewater taking up a spot on your team, I would replace him with Bortles. Bridgewater is owned in 33.5% of leagues, and Bortles is having a much better season. Bortles is not throwing as many interceptions, and has 6 passing touchdowns in his first four games while only having 11 all last year. Bortles is on fire right now and has scored at least 20 fantasy points each of the last three games. If you need a QB for a bye week or are dealing with injuries, Bortles is someone you can trust against Tampa Bay in week five. Through the first four weeks, the Bucs have given up 15 touchdowns.
- Coby Fleener, TE, 16.4% owned - With Dwayne Allen out, Fleener saw 12 targets for nine receptions, 83 yards, and a touchdown. With Allen out, Fleener could be a low end TE1. Fleener has ranked among the top three Colts in targets and receptions the past two seasons, so consider those first two weeks as a product of finding his rhythm on the field after an ankle injury. Fleener is 6’6” and runs a 4.5 40 yard dash, so his athleticism gives him a high ceiling. Next week Fleener plays the Texans, the 15th ranked defense against the pass, which is a good matchup. If you are looking for a bye week fill in or want to stream a TE for a week, Fleener is a solid option.
- Leonard Hankerson, WR, 13.6% owned - It looks like the Falcons have fixed their offensive line problems, and Matt Ryan is throwing the ball all over the field. To some people’s surprise Hankerson is the second option, rather than Roddy White. Hankerson has seen more targets than Roddy in three of the first four games. Hankerson is getting 7.25 targets per game and has seen 11 and 8 targets the past two games, with defenses shading their coverages toward Julio Jones. In 2012 Roddy White and Julio Jones both had 1,000 yard seasons, while Tony Gonzalez put up 930 yards. With the way Kyle Shanahan has turned around this offense, it is not a stretch to say Hankerson has the opportunity to have a 1,000 yard season. Hankerson could be a solid WR2 in this offense the remainder of the season.
- Allen Hurns, WR, 11.3% owned - Hurns has been as consistent as anyone, posting at least 60 yards in each game this year. He also has two consecutive games with a touchdown. With everyone focusing on Allen Robinson, Hurns has had plenty of single coverage and has taken advantage, reeling in 22 of his 30 targets for 314 yards and 2 TDs. In most standard leagues Hurns could be considered a WR3 or flex play every week going forward.
- Antonio Andrews, RB, 6.7% owned - In his first NFL action, Andrews led the Titans backfield in touches and scored a TD. The Titans have not been happy with their run game thus far, so Andrews has the opportunity to take the starting job and run with it. This year it’s been hard to find running backs that have been trustworthy on a week to week basis. Don’t break the bank to get Andrews, instead pick him up with the hope he will get the touches of a starting running back.
- Willie Snead, WR, 1.2% owned - Going into the season, everyone expected Brandin Cooks to be the Saints’ WR1, but through the first four weeks it has been Willie Snead. In the last three weeks Snead has 19 targets, 15 receptions, 177 yards, and a touchdown. In week 4 Cooks played 66 snaps, Snead played 46, Colston played 43, and Coleman played 19. The Saints play the Eagles next week, who have struggled to defend the pass in 2015. Drew Brees has the ability to put up big numbers against a group of shaky corners.
- Kamar Aiken, WR, .7% owned - Steve Smith Sr. has four micro fractures in his spine, so he could be out for some time. Aiken is no world beater, but has a juicy schedule the next six weeks. The Ravens play Cleveland, San Francisco, Arizona, San Diego, and Jacksonville, and only the Cardinals rank inside the top 20 as a defense. The Ravens have trailed in every game of the season thus far, and Joe Flacco is throwing the ball 39.8 times per game. This means the opportunities will be there for Aiken to put up big numbers. The problem with Baltimore is that their offensive line is not giving Flacco time to make reads and make good decisions. Flacco is on pace to be sacked 44 times. In 2013 Flacco was sacked 48 times and posted the worst QB rating of his career (73.1). This means Aiken will be a boom or bust option most likely, so deploy him only if you have to.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions you can tweet me, @ibiggs15, or @FF_Undergound.