Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 6
Each week, theScore's fantasy editors will run down the top waiver-wire pickups with a focus on the coming week and the rest of the season.
Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets
Recommended FAAB allocation in 12-team leagues: 3 percent
Don't sleep on Fitzpatrick just because the Jets were on a bye in Week 5. Before that, he produced three multi-touchdown games in four chances and seemed to be settling into a groove. Tough matchups against the Redskins and Patriots are up next, but Fitzpatrick's schedule gets much easier after that. He's a decent option if your starter is on a bye.
Blake Bortles, Jaguars
FAAB: 1 percent
Don't get too excited about Bortles. Though he's compiled solid fantasy stats through five weeks, including 300 yards passing and four touchdowns in Week 5, he hasn't looked particularly good doing it. Much of Bortles' production has come in garbage time or against terrible defenses. Next up for the second-year passer is a matchup against the Texans' subpar unit, so perhaps Bortles has at least one more low-end QB1 week in him.
Running Back
Charcandrick West, Chiefs
FAAB: 30 percent
West is first in line to replace Jamaal Charles, who suffered a season-ending injury, in the Chiefs offense. That makes him potentially the most crucial waiver wire addition of the season. But make no mistake - he's not a slam dunk.
West's athletic skill set is similar to that of Charles, but it's worth noting West played Division II football and went undrafted in 2014. Charles is an All-Pro talent and a potential Hall of Famer. Charles makes an otherwise uninspiring Chiefs offense tick; take him out of the equation and it's possible the house of cards falls apart. West is merely a lottery ticket.
West's situation highlights the importance of correctly reading a player's floor and ceiling. While it's not out of the question West steps in and produces 90 percent of what Charles would have, it's far more likely he falters and settles in as little more than a low-end RB2.
Spend up to 25 percent on West (more if you're desperate for a running back or have cash to spare), but the smart move here could be to let your leaguemates blow the remainder of their FAAB budgets on West while you save some cash for the next potential waiver wire superstar.
Knile Davis, Chiefs
FAAB: 15 percent
Complicating matters for owners looking to capitalize on Charles' injury is the presence of Davis, who filled in for Charles while the latter was injured last season. Davis carried the ball 32 times for 132 yards and a touchdown in his lone start last season, but he's proven to be a largely unexciting tailback since then. With a career yards per carry average of 3.4, Davis trails Charles by more than two full yards.
Though West seems to have the inside track to replace Charles' touches, it's possible (and perhaps even likely) the Chiefs will eventually move to a straight 50-50 split between West and Davis. Davis is worth an add and could prove to be the savvy move if West falters, but he's not worth breaking the bank for.
Theo Riddick, Lions
FAAB: 5 percent
Rookie Ameer Abdullah was benched for fumbling Sunday, opening the door for Riddick to take on a larger role. Riddick will never be a between-the-tackles runner, but he's a strong receiver and could hit double-digit receptions (as he did Sunday) a few more times this season if Abdullah remains in the doghouse. In PPR leagues, that makes Riddick a viable starter.
Zach Zenner, Lions
FAAB: 1 percent
Zenner is nothing more than a speculative add at this point, but the undrafted rookie has shown flashes of feature back potential. With Abdullah relegated to the bench Sunday, Zenner handled a career high 10 carries and took them for 30 yards. Those aren't particularly impressive numbers, but the Cardinals have a stout defense and the Lions offense was a mess. It's unlikely Zenner will leapfrog Abdullah on the depth chart, but he's worth adding in deep leagues because there's at least a small chance he will.
Wide Receiver
Willie Snead, Saints
FAAB: 15 percent
Snead, not Marques Colston or Brandon Coleman, is the Saints receiver to own after Brandin Cooks. It's not what fantasy analysts expected before the season, but it's true. And it's all to Snead's credit. He overcame sizable odds (few expected him to make the Saints' roster, let alone become Drew Brees' new security blanket), but he did. Snead probably won't match the 141 yards receiving he put up Sunday any time soon, but half-a-dozen catches for around 100 yards could become a regular occurrence.
Jamison Crowder, Redskins
FAAB: 8 percent
There's no doubt DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed's injuries have boosted Crowder's production, but the rookie has proven he should remain a big part of the offense when his veteran teammates return. Crowder is proving to be an ideal slot receiver, which is something a Kirk Cousins-led offense sorely needs. Crowder is worth an add in PPR leagues and deserves starting consideration until his weekly numbers take a dip.
Marquess Wilson, Bears
FAAB: 3 percent
Playing as the Bears' No. 1 wideout with both Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal out hurt, Wilson caught six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Jeffery and Royal will return - perhaps this week - but Wilson may have shown enough to remain a part of the Bears' passing attack. He's worth a stash in deep leagues.
Tight End
Gary Barnidge, Browns
FAAB: 15 percent
It's time to stop living in denial. "Big play Barnidge," as his teammates apparently call him, is for real. Sure, Barnidge is benefiting greatly from the Browns' lack of talent at wide receiver, but he's taking his copious passing targets and making something significant out of them. With at least 75 yards and a touchdown in each of his past three games, Barnidge is no flash in the pan. If he's still available in your league, go get him.
Richard Rodgers, Packers
FAAB: 5 percent
With at least five catches in back-to-back weeks, Rodgers has carved out a nice role for himself in the Packers' prolific offense. Any player getting consistent targets from Aaron Rodgers is worth an add.