Thomason: Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 5
By Jack Thomason--
(CBS) There's really only one main topic to discuss this week. If Rams running back Todd Gurley is for some reason on your waiver wire, RUN (don't walk) to put a claim in on this beast. We are in for a treat with Gurley, as he's a special, special player. Did you see the end of the Rams-Cardinals game in which he broke off the long run to seal the victory?
Instead of going for the touchdown, battling for extra yards or making a boneheaded rookie mistake, like run out of bounds, he fell to the ground to be touched down and iced the Ram victory. Impressive, heady stuff there from the rookie. He will be a joy to watch for years to come. Hopefully, Arian Foster owners can see that type of breakout in his second game back from injury as well.
Here are my top 10 waiver adds for Week 5 in 10- and 12-player leagues.
1. Duke Johnson Jr. (RB, Cleveland Browns) -- If you've been paying attention to snap counts over the last few weeks, you've noticed Johnson's increase in usage. On Sunday, he played 61 percent of the snaps, caught nine of 10 targets, totaled 116 yards and scored a fantastic touchdown on a deep wheel route. He's an electric player and by skill, not default, the top receiver for the Cleveland Browns, whose coaching staff will continue to have him heavily involved.
2. Ronnie Hillman (RB, Denver Broncos) -- This Broncos' running back situation is going to continue to be a nightmare. That being said, Hillman has looked better than C.J. Anderson since the preseason. While he's a smaller back and unlikely to handle the load, he can create explosive plays in a hurry on a fewer snaps. This was evident by his 72-yard touchdown run Sunday. I'll take that type of upside as a flex-play or RB3/4 for now.
3. Rueben Randle (WR, New York Giants) -- Eli Manning continues to look more comfortable in Ben McAdoo's offense, and that bodes well for the Giants' receivers. What also helps Randle is Victor Cruz's setback with his calf injury. He will be out for extended time. This secures Randle's spot as a starter and allows him to build on his rapport with Manning. With 10 receptions, 147 yards and two scores in the last two games, he can be the depth you're looking for through the bye weeks.
4. Allen Hurns (WR, Jacksonville Jaguars) -- Hurns continues to make plays as the No. 2 receiver for the Jaguars. The week after his 70 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots, he nabbed 11 balls for 116 yards and another score against the Colts. As Allen Robinson takes on the better corners for opposing teams, Hurns builds further trust and rapport with Blake Bortles. He's emerging as a viable WR3 option, and the Jaguars are sure to be trailing throughout the year.
5. Leonard Hankerson (WR, Atlanta Falcons) -- Poor Roddy White, the time has come to take a back seat as the No. 2 receiver for the Falcons. Let's put it this way: The No. 2 receiver for the Falcons isn't a glorious fantasy position because of a beast named Julio Jones, but when Jones and Devonta Freeman are the focal points of opposing defenses, you'll get the occasional six receptions for 103 yards and a trip to the end zone from Hankerson, who has solidified himself as a second options and does have 25 targets over the last three games. Weekly opportunity is there on an explosive Falcons' offense.
6. Antonio Andrews (RB, Tennessee Titans) -- Don't forget about Andrews just because he was on a bye week. Yes, the Titans have come out saying the backfield will continue to be a week-to-week thing, but Andrews is a big-bodied back who can pound the rock, and that's something Tennessee been looking for. Their fifth-round pick, rookie David Cobb, is out with an injury for several more weeks, so Andrews will have every opportunity to steal this role on an offense that's ranked top 10 in yards per game with Marcus Mariota at the helm.
7. Andre Williams (RB, New York Giants) -- This is more about finding bye week fill-ins and running back being such a disastrous position in fantasy right now. Williams has received double-digit carries the last two weeks and is seeing the goal-line work as well. Given the Giants are ninth in points per game, he's going to have opportunities at the goal line to give you an upside plug-in play. If Rashad Jennings were to get hurt, as he often does, Williams would be on the RB2/3 radar.
8. Nelson Agholor (WR, Philadelphia Eagles) -- Agholor was oft-mentioned as the player who would challenge Amari Cooper or be the one to lead rookies in receiving yards. So far, he hasn't looked great, but Agholor has started his career facing some tough cornerbacks. Over the last two games, he has seven receptions for 100 yards and has played a team-high 95 percents of snaps. Brighter days are ahead for the route running technician, and you want to be out in front of them.
9. Tavon Austin (WR, St. Louis Rams) -- Is it possible the Rams have figured out how to use Austin? It sure seems like it of late. Are the Rams some crazy-explosive offense with Nick Foles quarterbacking? No, but they're on the upswing with Gurley manning the backfield and Austin making plays. Austin has 10 carries on the season for 77 yards to go along with 14 receptions, 138 yards and two scores. He looks as confident as ever, trusting that lethal speed, and is being used all over the place. He's a threat to take the ball to the house on any play. He's worth a speculative add.
10. Christine Michael/Darren McFadden (RBs, Dallas Cowboys) -- Even though I have been a Michael "truther," this is more about Lance Dunbar being lost for the season and the Cowboys not being sold on Joseph Randle. The box scores have looked good the last two weeks, but when you dig deeper, Randle has 25 carries over the last two games, 10 of which have gone for one yard or fewer. He has eight runs for negative four yards in the second half of these two games as well. Change could be coming if Michael can show consistency in practice.
Just missed: Ahmad Bradshaw, Charles Sims, Roy Helu, Willie Snead, Ty Montgomery, Ted Ginn, Eddie Royal, Jalen Strong, Cole Bealey, Michael Floyd (highly owned, but if he's there snag him) and Antonio Gates (same situation as Floyd0.
Jack Thomason is 670 The Score's fantasy football expert and co-host of "Chicago's Fantasy Football Today," which can be heard every Sunday during football season from 8-9 a.m. CT on WSCR-670 and 670thescore.com/listen. Follow him on Twitter @jthomason77 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
