Fantasy Football Week 2: Waiver Wire
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Running Back
Danny Woodhead, Chargers (48%) – Until the Chargers trust rookie RB Melvin Gordon as a pass blocker, Woodhead will keep getting a large chunk of the carries and most of the red zone work. He scored two TDs in week 1 and was targeted seven times in the passing game. I’d be comfortable starting him in any format.
Bishop Sankey. Titans (46%) – Is coming off a disappointing rookie season with just 2 TDs and 3.7 YPC, but Sankey matched that TD total in week 1 this year. I don’t want to get carried away by one game against a bad defense, but Sankey was the first RB drafted last year and the Titans offense looks much better this year with Mariota at QB. That could easily be Sankey’s last productive fantasy line, but he’s worth a spot on your bench to find out.
Chris Johnson, Cards (12%) – Cards starting RB Andre Ellington is banged up and all signs point to Chris Johnson taking over as the lead back in AZ if Ellington can’t go. Johnson looked a little quicker than last year and may be a viable flex option until Ellington is healthy.
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Darren Sproles, Eagles (43%) – DeMarco Murray owners couldn’t have been happy to see the lack of running game (16 carries) and the fact that Sproles tied Murray for total touches with 12 each. Sproles was a weapon in the passing game with 7 catches for 50 yards and was so effective that I can’t see the Eagles not keeping him involved every week. He’s too fast for almost any LB and has a knack for making tacklers miss. I don’t think Sproles will get enough carries to have value in a standard league, but he’s flex worthy in PPR leagues.
Duke Johnson, Browns (44%) – Split carries with Isaiah Crowell, but has the talent to win the job outright at some point this season. Johnson wasn’t used at all in the passing game for some reason even thought that is one of his strengths. I expect Johnson to get more touches every week as the season goes on.
Matt Jones, Redskins (23%) – Only got six carries but continued to impress with 4.7 YPC and I could see his role increasing as the year goes on. Alfred Morris struggles as a receiver and Jones should eventually have a more significant role than Roy Helu last year with considerably more upside.
Karlos Williams, Bills (3%) – It would probably take an injury to LeSean McCoy for Williams to have consistent fantasy value, but the Bills are going to run the ball a lot and Williams seems locked in as the #2 RB and more importantly the goal-line back. In week 1 he had 55 yards and a TD on just six carries.