Week 6: Waiver Wire Pickups
Some guys who have been mentioned in this space in the past and are still worth a waiver pickup include: QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Isaiah Crowell, RB Benny Cunningham, RB C.J. Anderson, WR Stevie Johnson, WR Mohamed Sanu, TE Travis Kelce, and TE Dwayne Allen. Check to see if any of these players are available in your league before consulting this week's list.
QB Austin Davis, ---
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Davis has been designated the Rams' long-term starter and has earned more trust from the coaching staff with his past two games. He compiled 702 yards and six touchdowns in those weeks. His schedule through late November looks tough, but desperate owners searching for a one-week Band-Aid could do far worse than Davis as long as he keeps throwing more than 40 times per game.
QB Brian Hoyer, ---
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So far in 2014, Hoyer has successfully held off the preordained quarterback controversy in Cleveland. Through four games, the Browns are 2-2 and have kept every game close. Hoyer has performed well statistically as well. He's completed 62 percent of his throws for 1,008 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception. With every-league starter Drew Brees on bye in Week 6, and the Browns fielding a decent home matchup against the Steelers, Hoyer looks like a solid bye-week fill-in.
RB Ronnie Hillman, ---
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The early word is that Montee Ball suffered a serious groin injury Sunday. With him out of commission and C.J. Anderson a healthy scratch in Week 5, Hillman shouldered the rushing load for the Broncos, taking 15 carries for 64 yards against a rigid Cardinals front. If Anderson is activated in Week 6, fantasy owners should expect a committee approach in this backfield. Both Anderson and Hillman will likely have value in Ball's absence, but Hillman holds the slight edge.
RB Branden Oliver, ---
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Chargers lead running back Ryan Mathews is a couple of weeks from returning to action. In his absence, Donald Brown had the first crack at carries, but he really struggled in Week 4 and then suffered a concussion in the first half against the Jets. Thus, Oliver got the nod and capitalized on it. Oliver was one of the highest-scoring fantasy players in Week 5, taking 23 touches for 182 total yards and two touchdowns. He showcased a great blend of speed and power and should be one of the top pickups this week heading into a very favorable matchup against the Raiders.
RB Joseph Randle, ---
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This one is pure speculation, but look at the case. Exhibit A: DeMarco Murray's injury history. He's never played a full 16-game season in his career. Exhibit B: Murray's workload so far this year. In five games, he's touched the ball an incredible 145 times. Logic suggests that Murray's body won't be able to hold up under that burden. When and if Murray does get hurt, Randle is the handcuff you want. At 6 feet and 210 pounds, Randle has the prototypical RB body and sees a few carries each game. If Murray goes down, he's more likely to carry the load than undersized RB Lance Dunbar. At the least, Randle should be taken in by Murray owners as a handcuff.
