Fantasy Football Week 6 Waiver Wire: Branden Oliver, Andre Williams, and a Muddled Denver Backfield Situation
By Jason Lisk
I highlighted Branden Oliver in the headline last week (along with Jerick McKinnon). Then Oliver went out, had a huge game with 182 yards and 2 touchdowns (thanks in part to Donald Brown leaving with a concussion) and will most certainly not be listed here next week. Oliver should be the hottest pickup this week, along with Giants rookie Andre Williams (with Rashad Jennings’ knee injury). Of course, the goal is to jump in on waiver picks ahead of time, too, so that’s why this waiver wire tries to cover both the future and the current matchups.
As always, players are included who are available in at least 33% of leagues, and denoted as likely available in Shallow (between 50% and 67% owned), average (25 to 49%) and deep (less than 25%) leagues.
And remember, the byes this week are Kansas City and New Orleans, so you will need to replace Jamaal Charles, Drew Brees, and Jimmy Graham, among others.
QUARTERBACKS
Shallow: Carson Palmer (62%) will need to be monitored this week. He got treatment for his nerve in Denver and reportedly felt better, but he is of course a risk. The matchup against Washington is one that you will want to exploit if he is going.
Average: Teddy Bridgewater (35%) isn’t a great starting matchup against Detroit (near the bottom in points allowed to QB) but is a long term buy. Blake Bortles (36%) going against Tennessee is a much better matchup if you need a start is and is probably the best option among the likely free agents if you have to replace Drew Brees in a pinch.
Deep: Austin Davis (11%) has shown enough to be a sneaky play. The matchup against San Francisco won’t be an easy task, or as easy as what he just saw against Philadelphia, but definitely a 2 QB starting option. If you are desperate, the play to watch is the Tennessee situation. Jacksonville is giving up the most points to quarterbacks. It is a risky situation to go with either Jake Locker or Charlie Whitehurst, and is very much a moveable object vs. resistible force, but if you are considering it, I assume you are desperate anyway.
RUNNING BACKS
Shallow: Andre Williams (61%) will be the starter short-term for the Giants, probably at least for the next two games, with Rashad Jennings’ injury. He should be a RB2 start during that time. Don’t forget about Jerick McKinnon (65%), who was limited last week, but I expect an increased role as the season continues.
Average: none, but read further because all the guys below should be available.
Deep: Branden Oliver will be claimed in almost every league, and likely require a high bid. He’s got a chance–even if Ryan Matthews returns from his injury–to still be a contributor in that offense.
If Oliver is too rich for your blood, there are several options. With Montee Ball’s injury, someone will get an opportunity in Denver. Ronnie Hillman (16%) and C.J. Anderson (8%) are both likely available and are a roll of the dice as to who might get the carries. Anderson was a healthy inactive last week; Hillman had been inactive earlier in the year. I tend to like Anderson but I suspect we get a committee approach making them low end RB2 or flex choices.
Benny Cunningham (16%) is the other injury situation to watch with Zac Stacy’s calf injury. Stacy may play, but if not, Cunningham would be a starting option.
If you want to plan ahead, I know he’s not going to be a starting option while DeMarco Murray is healthy, but if he were to miss any games, Lance Dunbar (8%) would instantly become a top 10 start behind the best run blocking offensive line in the league. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Storm Johnson (0%) got 4 carries last week, the same number as Toby Gerhart, and the rookie could see an expanded role if Gerhart continues to struggle.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The receiving options aren’t great, except for Odell Beckham immediately coming off his first game and drawing just about as good a matchup as possible. Target #1.
Shallow: Andrew Hawkins (60%) continues to be the top target for Cleveland and will be a starting option this week. Watch for Mike Evans (58%) news to see if he will be back. He’s got a good matchup this week. Also I would still look for Jordan Matthews (64%) to be a long term option.
Average: Mohamed Sanu (44%) continues to go under the radar, and just scored a touchdown and put up good numbers against the Patriots. The Panthers have had their struggles on the outside this year. Allen Robinson (41%) is a good one week option against Tennessee.
Deep: Odell Beckham, Jr. (23%) will immediately be a top 36 start this week. Have you seen Philadelphia’s secondary?
TIGHT ENDS
Shallow: Owen Daniels (59%) should be the number one option if you need a spot start for Jimmy Graham. It’s a pretty good matchup against the tight end, and he has been productive since Dennis Pitta’s injury. The other option is to watch for news out of Washington. Jordan Reed (62%) could be back, and if he is not, Niles Paul is worth a start.
Average: None
Deep: Timothy Wright (10%) put up big numbers along side Gronkowski, so we’ll see if this becomes a bigger feature of their offense since the Patriots lack traditional outside deep receiving threats. In the short term, look to Clay Harbor (14%) because of the matchup against Tennessee if desperate.
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OVERALL
- Branden Oliver
- Andre Williams
- Odell Beckham, Jr.
- Mohamed Sanu
- Ronnie Hillman
- Jerick McKinnon
- C.J. Anderson
- Blake Bortles
- Mike Evans
- Benny Cunningham