Week 5 – Waiver Wire Pickups

God damn right.

God damn right.

We’re a quarter of the way through the season…the only way you’re going to weather the storm of injuries (Dez, Big Ben, Shady McCoy) and disappointing players (CJ Anderson, Demarco Murray) is to master the art of the waiver wire.  We’ve been called a lot of things…mostly derogatory ginger-shaming things…but one loyal Machine reader referred to us as the Fantasy Whisperer.  We’ll take that shit, and if you followed us last week and started Coby Fleener, you know why.

Note:  Running back is by far the toughest position to gauge.  If you’re without a stud like Jamaal Charles or Leveon Bell, you’re likely in a week by week search for a quality starter.  Here are few running backs that could help fill that void.

Antonio Andrews, RB Tennessee (11%)

Starter by default.

Starter by default.

We don’t know what to make of Tennessee’s backfield, other than it’s a mess.  It’s the worst RBBC in the league, with disappointing running back (Bishop Sankey) after disappointing running back (Terrance West) after disappointing running back (Dexter McCluster).  The lone bright spot is Andrews, who by default moves to the top of the “depth chart.”  This is really a boom or bust pick.  Even if Andrews gets the bulk of the carries (which we think he will) he’ll still split lots of time.  Good news: He should take over goal line duties and has fresh legs coming off a bye week.

Charles Sims, RB Tampa Bay (18%)

On the rise.

On the rise.

Charles Sims makes sense for a lot of reasons.  First, he’s got a great match up this week against the Jags.  Second, he’s been getting more opportunities thanks to Doug Martin’s inconsistent play.  Third, he’s good for 3-5 catches, making him even more attractive in PPR leagues.

Thomas Rawls, RB Seattle (34%)

Beastmode's pain is his gain.

Beastmode’s pain is his gain.

Rawls is a must add this week.  Rawls will be the feature back this week against the Bengals.  Seattle loves to run the ball, and Rawls already has a 100 yard game under his belt.  Given that Marshawn Lynch has a bum hamstring (not a good sign) and Fred Jackson is 60, Rawls could be in line for more action going forward.  We like his chances to see the endzone this week.

Nelson Agholor, WE Philadelphia (47%)

Fly, Nelson, fly.

Fly, Nelson, fly.

A highly touted rookie out of USC, Agholor hasn’t had much to success thus far.  Granted, no one on the Eagles has had much success thus far.  That could change this week against the Saints.  We like his chances this week against a very giving New Orleans secondary.

Gary Barnidge, TE Cleveland (48%)

Quickly catching up to LeBron as Cleveland's most popular athlete.

Quickly catching up to LeBron as Cleveland’s most popular athlete.

We’re now believers in Gary.  His name screams accountant more than NFL player, but he’s averaged over 20 points over the past two weeks, with 12 catches and 2 tds over that span.  He has more points through four weeks than Jimmy Graham.  Those numbers don’t lie.  He’s a low end TE1 this week against Baltimore.

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